Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems

Practical Knowledge for Hydrogen Projects (Advanced Level) | Course

Become a "Professional for Power-to-X"!

The training program "Practical Knowledge for Hydrogen Projects" (Advanced Level) provides combined practical expertise and fundamental knowledge from five Fraunhofer Institutes in the field of hydrogen production, focusing on economic, technical, and regulatory aspects. 

This training program offers comprehensive coverage of the following subjects:

  • Economics of the hydrogen value chain - an economic view of hydrogen and its derivatives 
  • Hydrogen applications 
  • Technical project development for a hydrogen production system 
  • Conventional and sustainable hydrogen production processes 
  • Energy resources - Where does green electricity come from? Wind & Solar Energy
  • Safety challenges in Power-to-X projects
  • Regulatory framework, voluntary certification and market instruments 

After completing this program, you will be able to …

  • consider important and difficult aspects of planning and implementing a hydrogen production project from the very first step.
  • develop the first steps of a business case for any type of Power-to-X product.

The course at a glance

Training overview

Organizer Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES
Event type Part-time distance learning course
Venue Online
Format Live-online-sessions, elearnings, self-study tasks and self-assessments
Language English
Target group Engineers, project managers and developers, as well as technical and executive professionals involved in hydrogen technologies – particularly from industry and energy sectors. The training also addresses technical consultants, and decision-makers who evaluate or implement hydrogen-based solutions at a strategic level.
Program length
  • Start date: January 25, 2027
  • End date: July 21, 2027
  • Duration: 6 months, Workload: approx. 90 hours
  • Examination date: September 29, 2027
Final registration 2 November 2026
Course fee 5.590 € (incl. examination & certitication fees and taxes)
Admission requirements none
Regristration Please register via email: training@iwes.fraunhofer.de

Content overview

Unit 1: Economics of the Hydrogen Value Chain (Fraunhofer IKTS)

  • Fundamentals of Power-to-X (PtX) technologies
  • Cost structures and economic viability
  • Market trends and regulatory influences
  • Transportation and infrastructure challenges
  • Location selection and evaluation

Unit 2: H2 Applications (Fraunhofer IST)

  • Storable and transportable forms of hydrogen
  • Hydrogen products and applications
  • Hydrogen transport methods
  • Fuel cell mechanisms and applications
  • Decarbonization considerations in factory redesign
  • Hydrogen's role in decarbonization

Unit 3: Technical Project Development for a Hydrogen Production System (Fraunhofer IWES)

  • Objectives of hydrogen production systems
  • Development and implementation processes
  • Scope and interfaces of hydrogen systems
  • Maintenance and repair measures
  • Technical and economic risk assessment
  • Legal framework conditions

Unit 4: Conventional and Sustainable Hydrogen Production Processes (Fraunhofer IKTS)

  • State of the art in hydrogen production
  • Importance of green hydrogen
  • Electrolysis concepts
  • Technical requirements and process efficiency
  • Suitable electrolysis technologies

Unit 5: Energy Resources - Wind Energy (Fraunhofer IWES)

  • Wind energy resource origins
  • Site assessment procedures
  • Wind turbine components and foundation types
  • Cost categories in wind projects
  • Condition monitoring benefits

Unit 6: Energy Resources - Solar Energy (Fraunhofer IMWS)

  • Temperature and irradiance effects on PV output
  • Key components of PV plants
  • PV layout advantages and disadvantages
  • Main performance indicators
  • Causes of PV system degradation

Unit 7: Safety Challenges in Power-to-X projects (Fraunhofer IWES, TÜV Süd South Africa)

  • Safety risks in hydrogen handling
  • Legal safety obligations
  • Technical safety standards
  • Risk analysis methods
  • Explosion protection measures

Unit 8: Regulatory Framework, Voluntary Certification, and Market Instruments (Fraunhofer IMWS / Fraunhofer IEE)

  • International regulations and standards
  • Sustainability criteria for PtX projects
  • Market instruments in hydrogen projects
  • Site-specific legal requirements

Course completion: Proof of Successful Participation

Qualification

Personnel Certification "Professional for Hydrogen Production (Advanced Level)", certified through the Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority after written online examination and certification according to EN ISO 17024 

© Fraunhofer IWES

Overview Live-Online-Sessions

Training Intro
27.01.2027 13:00 - 14:00 Welcoming, Introduction, Technical Check
Unit 1: Economics of the hydrogen value chain
03.02.2027 13:00 - 15:00 U1 Intro & Basic Knowledge
10.02.2027 13:00  - 16:30 U1 Advanced Knowledge
24.02.2027 13:00 – 14:00 U1 Wrap‑Up & Review Session
Unit 2: H2 Applications
24.02.2027 14:30 - 16:30 U2 Intro & Basic Knowledge
03.03.2027 13:00  - 16:30 U2 Advanced Knowledge
17.03.2027 13:00 – 14:00 U2 Wrap‑Up & Review Session
Unit 3: Technical project development for a hydrogen production system
17.03.2027 14:30 - 16:30 U3 Intro & Basic Knowledge
19.03.2027 13:00  - 16:30 U3 Advanced Knowledge
07.04.2027 13:00 – 14:00 U3 Wrap‑Up & Review Session
Unit 4: Conventional and sustainable hydrogen production processes
07.04.2027 14:30 - 16:30 U4 Intro & Basic Knowledge
14.04.2027 13:00  - 16:30 U4 Advanced Knowledge
28.04.2027 13:00 – 14:00 U4 Wrap‑Up & Review Session
Unit 5: Energy resources - Wind Energy
28.04.2027 14:30 - 16:30 U5 Intro & Basic Knowledge
05.05.2027 13:00  - 16:30 U5 Advanced Knowledge
19.05.2027 13:00 – 14:00 U5 Wrap‑Up & Review Session
Unit 6: Energy resources - Solar Energy 
19.05.2027 14:30 - 16:30 U6 Intro & Basic Knowledge
26.05.2027 13:00  - 16:30 U6 Advanced Knowledge
09.06.2027 13:00 – 14:00 U6 Wrap‑Up & Review Session
Unit 7: Safety Challenges in Power-to-X projects
09.06.2027 14:30 - 16:30 U7 Intro & Basic Knowledge
15.06.2027 13:00  - 16:30 U7 Advanced Knowledge
30.06.2027 13:00 – 14:00 U7 Wrap‑Up & Review Session
Unit 8: Regulatory framework, voluntary certification and market instruments
30.06.2027 14:30 - 16:30 U8 Intro & Basic Knowledge
07.07.2027 13:00  - 16:30 U8 Advanced Knowledge
21.07.2027 13:00 – 14:00 U8 Wrap‑Up & Review Session
Training Outro
21.07.2027 14:15 - 15:15 Conclusion, Examination & Certification Procedure, Feedback, Farewell
Personnel Certification
29.09.2027 13:00 - 16:00 Online Examination

Add-on: Onsite training in Germany

Experience theory in practice: Join us for a one-week onsite training course in Germany on "Practical Knowledge for Hydrogen Projects". Through practical case studies, field trips, interactive learning stations, and a dedicated tool, you’ll gain comprehensive knowledge of the entire hydrogen value chain.

Content

Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven Visit: Offshore Production Challenge (Fraunhofer IWES)

  • Explore the interaction of offshore wind generation with electrolytic hydrogen production and how grid stabilization is achieved in decentralized power systems
  • See production, storage, and reconversion facilities, including 1–5 MW electrolyzers, stationary and mobile storage, fuel cells, and CHP for reconversion testing

Factory Transformation: Defossilization of factory systems (Fraunhofer IST)

  • Assessing defossilization scenarios with energy generators, -storage, and -converters
  • Evaluation of operating strategies such as peak shaving, self-sufficiency, etc.
  • Decision support and design based on technical, economic, and environmental assessment

Tool: COBRAZ Energy System Modelling and Optimization (Fraunhofer IWES)

  • COBRAZ (Configuration tool for Optimized and Balanca poweR Allocation and system siZing)
  • Conducting feasibility studies of energy systems in market and regulatory environments and more

Training information
  •  Training dates: August 30 – September 3, 2027
  • Workload: 40 hours
  • Location: Bremerhaven & Salzgitter, Germany
  • Costs: 1,250 euros
Registration and further information training@iwes.fraunhofer.de
Register now

Would you like to offer this hydrogen training to your team or organization?

We also provide customized programs tailored to your specific needs. Just reach out to us: training@iwes.fraunhofer.de.

HySecunda Projektlogo
© Fraunhofer IMWS
The training program "Practical Knowledge for Hydrogen Projects (Advanced Level)" was developed and implemented by a consortium of several Fraunhofer Institutes. Fraunhofer IWES is leading the project in close collaboration with Fraunhofer IST. The pilot training is part of the HySecunda project (project number 03SF0734), which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). TÜV SÜD South Africa (Pty) Ltd supported the training as an associated partner.