HyConnect: Digital Platform Aims to Promote Hydrogen Mobility in Heavy-Duty Transportation

The policy goals for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the mobility sector currently pose major challenges for heavy-duty transportation. Among the CO2-neutral energy sources suitable for zero-emission long-haul trips, “green” hydrogen (H2)—produced via electrolysis using renewable energy—is considered a key element. However, the ramp-up of hydrogen mobility in heavy-duty transport depends largely on an efficient infrastructure. To enable logistics companies to plan reliably, data on H2 availability, refueling station locations, and prices must flow in real time. So far, however, this has often been hindered by incompatible IT systems. But how can transport management systems (TMS) and refueling station software communicate optimally with one another? This is precisely what the HyConnect collaborative project—in which Hochschule Offenburg is also participating—aims to determine, with the goal of developing a digital platform that seamlessly connects logistics providers and refueling station operators.

The Digital Supply Chain (DSC) research group at Hochschule Offenburg is responsible for two central technological pillars of the project and is applying state-of-the-art AI methods to overcome the technological hurdles. First, the DSC members aim to use AI to automate the connection of the multitude of different data exchange interfaces between logistics TMS and gas station software to the HyConnect platform. To do this, they are using Large Language Models (LLMs), which are designed to automatically generate the necessary software code. This innovative approach is intended to eliminate the need for manual, time-consuming programming to connect individual interfaces. Second, the researchers are developing an AI-based approach that enables market-driven and dynamic pricing. This creates transparency and economic incentives for freight forwarders and gas station operators.

“We are currently evaluating which TMS systems are in use at logistics companies and which software is used by gas station operators, as well as what data they utilize, to better understand what data needs to be exchanged via the platform,” explains DSC Director Theo Lutz. The next step is to develop the platform, which will make hydrogen refueling as efficient and predictable as possible through an intelligent reservation function and dynamic pricing models. Particular emphasis is placed on practical applicability: After the development phase, the platform prototype will be tested in live operation with the participating partners. The results of HyConnect are expected to make a significant contribution to professionalizing the digital infrastructure for alternative propulsion systems in heavy-duty transport and accelerating the expansion of sustainable mobility solutions.

The project will run until June 30, 2028. In addition to the Digital Supply Chain research group at Hochschule Offenburg, the project consortium includes the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University, H2 MOBILITY Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, H2 Green Power & Logistics AG, and MANSIO GmbH. Associated partners include Post CH AG, Hermes Germany GmbH, ELVIS AG, and the DSLV Federal Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics. The project is funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the ERDF/JTF program in North Rhine-Westphalia. Although the project is set against the backdrop of structural change in North Rhine-Westphalia, the goal is to develop a solution that can be scaled nationwide for the entire logistics sector.