Bidirectional Fuel Cells in Real-World Testing: Why the Turning Point for Resilient Energy Systems Begins Now

Imagine your energy supply not only delivering power but actively stabilizing, reacting, and adapting. That is the difference between “works fine” and resilient. And that’s exactly what a new pilot project by HDC Solutions, Globe Fuel Cell Systems, and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich is about: Bidirectional fuel cells are being tested under real-world conditions—in actual operation, with measurable results.

The energy reality has changed. Critical infrastructures, industry, and security-relevant applications face increasing pressure: volatile grids, rising demands for availability, new risks, and scarce resources. Those who still rely on rigid systems will face problems—not theoretically, but in the next real moment of stress. Resilience means: systems must not only “function” but withstand disruptions, adapt, and continue running in a controlled manner. This is precisely where bidirectional energy systems come into play.

“Bidirectional” is more than just a buzzword. It means: Energy flow is no longer a one-way street. A system can not only provide energy but also actively respond to grid demands, balance loads, and enhance stability. This makes a decisive difference, especially where supply security is non-negotiable: in critical infrastructure, defense applications, autonomous operating models, or at sites that cannot afford a second chance. Today, the big question is no longer whether it is technically possible in principle. The decisive question is: How robust is it in real-world operation, and how scalable is it truly?

This is precisely why this project was launched. As part of the pilot, an XLP80 fuel cell unit from Globe Fuel Cell Systems will be integrated into an intralogistics tow tractor and subsequently operated within the H2 microgrid at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. The goal is to investigate how a fuel cell can not only generate energy but also be used bidirectionally and in a grid-supportive manner within a local building network.

Testing in the microgrid is crucial because it replicates the conditions that matter in practice: energy flows, interactions, grid stability, and real system boundaries. Not in a lab, but in actual operation. This enables reliable conclusions about how bidirectional components must be integrated into an energy system to ultimately deliver a real resilience gain.

The use case was deliberately chosen: In intralogistics, reliability, predictability, and availability are key. This is where it becomes clear whether a technology is mature or just sounds good. The integration into a real vehicle provides the crucial practical reference: It’s not about demonstration—it’s about operational readiness.

Technology alone does not create resilience. Resilience emerges when systems become controllable, assessable, and capable of making decisions. This is precisely where HDC Solutions comes in: The entire system is mapped as a digital twin in the energy system platform THORIUM. This makes visible what would otherwise remain hidden: Which operating strategies make sense? How do energy flows behave in the grid? Where do bottlenecks occur, and how can they be avoided? The goal: to not only integrate bidirectional systems but to optimize them in a targeted manner.

With THORIUM, HDC Solutions can, among other things, analyze load flows, evaluate scenarios, develop operating strategies, and make the effects of bidirectional energy flows on the overall grid comprehensible. This is the foundation for turning a simple ‘it works’ into a robust, scalable operational concept.

A proof of concept is only valuable if it is built on a solid foundation. That’s why the roles in this collaboration are clearly defined: HDC Solutions is responsible for digital modeling, analysis, and evaluation in THORIUM. Globe Fuel Cell Systems provides the fuel cell system, including relevant infrastructure components. The University of the Bundeswehr Munich provides the H2 microgrid, integrates the system, and enables test operation, including data connection to the energy management system (EMS) and the schedule optimizer.

The project examines several key aspects that will later determine scalability: the practical operation of the fuel cell system in an industrial truck, the physical integration into a building’s electrical network, the data integration into control logics, and the modeling and evaluation of grid-supportive operating strategies. In addition, the project examines whether the use of the resulting waste heat can serve as a relevant efficiency factor.

The key is not just whether power is generated but how intelligently it is used. The coupling with EMS and optimization logic ensures that the system does not operate in isolation but as part of an overall system. This is crucial for applications with high demands for availability and stability.

In resilient systems, every percentage point of efficiency counts—especially when resources are limited or supply lines are under pressure. The investigation of waste heat utilization is therefore not a “nice-to-have” but a logical step to realistically assess the overall benefit of bidirectional systems.

The project duration is approximately six months. By mid-Q2 2026, a final report is expected, including a technical evaluation and concrete options for follow-up projects, rollout models, and potential industrial applications.

The goal is clear: a robust Proof of Concept demonstrating that bidirectional (fuel cell) systems can be integrated, controlled, and operated in a grid-supportive manner. This creates a real foundation for applications in critical infrastructures, defense environments, and anywhere energy must not only be available but reliable and resilient.

This partnership marks a milestone: What works in a local grid under real-world conditions can help reduce dependencies, increase supply security, and realistically implement resilient, low-emission energy systems on a larger scale. The question is no longer whether bidirectional energy systems are coming. Rather: Who will build them first so they truly deliver when it matters most.