Prof. Dr. Frank Almendinger introducing the Hydrogen Instruction System (WaSS)
HFU presents immersive training system at ees Europe
How can hydrogen technology be taught in a way that allows it not only to be understood theoretically, but also to be safely experienced, analysed and further developed? This question was the focus of a presentation by External link opens in a new window:Prof. Dr. Frank Allmendinger at ees Europe 2026 in Munich. At the Hydrogen Dialogue Forum, the researcher from Furtwangen University presented how, at the Tuttlingen campus, real-world hydrogen technology, live data, and virtual learning spaces are combined to form an innovative platform for teaching, research, continuing education and technology transfer.
ees Europe is one of the internationally prominent trade fairs for energy storage and energy technology and is part of External link opens in a new window:The smarter E Europe. For Furtwangen University, the trade fair provided a special platform to present the activities of the Energy Storage Systems Working Group at the Internal link opens in the same window:Tuttlingen Innovation and Research Center (IFC) to a specialist audience from industry, research, education and the energy sector. The focus was on the Hydrogen Training System (WaSS), which is used at the IFC as a demonstrator, learning system and starting point for further research and development work.
Hydrogen is considered a key component of climate-neutral industrial processes. However, the development of a hydrogen economy does not depend solely on facilities, infrastructure and technological innovations. It is also crucial that people understand these systems and are able to operate, maintain, evaluate and further develop them safely. This is exactly where the HFU comes in − The WaSS makes hydrogen technology tangible, easy to learn and accessible to a range of target groups — from students and technical professionals to companies, schools and continuing education partners. “Our goal is not only to explain hydrogen technology, but also to make it visible, safely experiential and compatible with collaborative projects using a real-world system,” emphasises Prof. Dr. Frank Allmendinger.
The system connects a real PEM electrolyser to a fuel cell. Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electrical energy; the hydrogen is stored and then converted back into electrical energy in the fuel cell. Viewing windows, sensors, pumps, valves and control elements make the system’s key processes easy to understand. The real-world training system is supplemented by digital and immersive enhancements; an XR/VR application makes processes that normally remain hidden inside the cell visual — such as gas formation, energy flows, ion transport and safety-related procedures.
The unique educational value arises where real-world measurement data and virtual representations converge. Learners do not merely work with a simplified model but can link live data from the system with virtual process representations. This creates a learning and demonstration space where theory, practice and safety are seamlessly integrated. Operating procedures, operational states and potential failure scenarios can be simulated without having to artificially create hazardous situations.
Another step forward is the WaSS Companion, a Python-based tool for reading and visualising measurement data, whose development was initiated by former AuToS employee Tobias Hauser. It presents system states such as electrolysis, hydrogen storage, fuel cell operation, cooling and other operating parameters in an easy-to-understand manner. Looking ahead, the system is to be further expanded not only for educational purposes but also for analysis, monitoring, and demonstration. In addition, work is underway on an extension featuring a Stirling engine connected to the heat exchanger to illustrate issues related to waste heat utilisation.
The trade show presentation highlighted how strongly the development at the Tuttlingen campus is focused on teamwork and collaboration. The Energy Storage Systems research group, led by Prof. Dr. Allmendinger, contributes expertise in hydrogen and energy technology. The Engineering Psychology and Human Factors (IP-/HF Lab) supports the virtual expansion with expertise in the field of Extended Reality (XR). The industry partner, External link opens in a new window:ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions GmbH, strengthens the practical relevance of the training system. In the AuToS SW-BW project External link opens in a new window:AuToS SW-BW, the development is also integrated into science communication, technology transfer, and training programmes.
In addition to Prof. Dr. Allmendinger, participants from Furtwangen University include Internal link opens in the same window:Prof. Dr. Stefan Pfeffer, the academic staff members of the AuToS SW-BW project — Internal link opens in the same window:Dimitri Schultheis and Internal link opens in the same window:Victoria-Katharina Martinelli — as well as students Georg Paul Vogel and Sarah Keser. External link opens in a new window:Dr. Markus Ostermeier and Dr. Verena Mückenhausen are participating on behalf of ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions. Together, they are creating a platform that connects research, teaching, continuing education, and industrial applications.
For the Tuttlingen campus, the project is thus more than just a single technical demonstrator. It exemplifies how HFU brings future-oriented topics in energy and industrial transformation to life; through real-world systems, interdisciplinary collaboration and open knowledge-transfer opportunities. Companies, schools, continuing education partners and research institutions are invited to visit the hydrogen laboratory at the IFC, bring their own questions to the table, and jointly develop new demonstrators, training formats or research projects.
The WaSS offers low-threshold access to a complex future-oriented topic, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, technical educational institutions, and partners involved in industrial transformation. Anyone who wants to understand hydrogen technology, train skilled workers, or test their own applications will find a hands-on environment for exchange, development, and cooperation at the Tuttlingen campus.
Contact person for partnership inquiries: Internal link opens in the same window:Prof. Frank Allmendinger
Further impressions
