Hydrogen Power Rental (HPR) develops mobile, emission-free hydrogen generators. The solution is designed for locations where electricity is needed but no grid connection is available, such as festivals and construction sites.
During ESNS 2026, an initial prototype was deployed for several days as a demonstrator in a real festival environment. The test focused on whether the system can deliver stable continuous power, how it performs in winter conditions, and how users and safety authorities perceive the solution.
The installation consistently delivered approximately 200 W, suitable for low-power use cases such as lighting, a laptop, a television, and charging mobile phones. The system operated continuously for 6 hours at temperatures around freezing point without any interruptions. Hydrogen consumption was 0.084 kg Hâ‚‚, representing roughly 40% of the available storage capacity, leaving a substantial operational margin at the end of the test.
Safety and permitting procedures were also explored in practice. In coordination with the fire department, the installation was inspected and approved for temporary public use with a designated safety zone. Leak detection tests showed no hydrogen leakage. For HPR, the test also provided valuable insights into how safety inspections are carried out at festivals and the level of knowledge among relevant stakeholders.
In addition to technical performance, conversations with festival producers resulted in concrete design recommendations for the next version, such as a compact container-based setup instead of a trailer, and suitable power connector configurations. Through this network, HPR also established contact with a major electricity supplier in the festival sector, and collaboration discussions are currently underway. In the construction sector, promising applications were identified as well, particularly for low-power off-grid use cases where conventional generators are oversized.
The test confirmed that the technology operates reliably under cold conditions and that there is clear demand within both the event and construction sectors. HPR is now focusing on follow-up tests with higher power output and longer deployment times, further validation with target users, and development towards scalable rental configurations supported by a robust business model.
In collaboration with
Gemeente Groningen, Goeie Grutten & ESNS