Off-Grid: PV-Based Hydrogen Microgrid Projects Around the World

Michele Velenderic is an engineer, IT consultant, and software developer. As the Founder and CEO of the Munich-based company Green Power Brains, his expertise spans the planning and installation of off-grid power systems and microgrids, decentralized green hydrogen, energy management systems, and e-mobility, alongside a deep commitment to education in the renewable sector. Driven by his passion for all forms of green and renewable energy, he brings his technical and entrepreneurial expertise to his role as Co-CEO of subasol AG, a Swiss joint venture dedicated to innovative solar and energy storage.

Research Assistant - Transfer and Use of Hydrogen SystemsFraunhofer IWU Sept. 2025 - Today · Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany Director Engineering, Product Development Europe - Linamar Corp. (McLaren Engineering Crimmitschau Tech Center GmbH)Sept. 2018 - Aug. 2025 · Crimmitschau, Saxony, Germany Product Development Manager - Linamar Corp. (Linamar Development Center GmbH)Nov. 2014 - Aug. 2018 · Crimmitschau, Saxony, Germany Manager R&D Simulation - ThyssenKrupp Presta Chemnitz GmbH June 2008-Oct. 2014 Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany Research Assistant - Chemnitz University of Technology Oct. 2002 - May 2008 - Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany

Philipp is an international expert in island energy supply and rural electrification. He conducted a PhD in engineering about 'Barriers to implementing renewable energies on Caribbean islands' at the TU Berlin. In 2011, he joined the Reiner Lemoine Institut and he started to develop the Off-Grid Systems Research Unit, which he is currently heading. Within the Unit, he develops and manages projects and strategic processes. In 2019 Philipp was appointed Visiting Scholar in the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL) of the University of California, Berkeley as part of the C-BEAR+ project and he is a selected member of the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA) at the Berlin Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Since 2020 he is also leading the RLS-Graduate School on Energy System Transition with currently 6 PhD students.

Tom Mikus has been working for NOW GmbH as Program Manager for International Energy Concepts since 2021. In his role, he is responsible for facilitating and implementing the focus area 'Green Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology' of the Export Initiative for Environmental Protection (EXI) funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN). Prior to this, Mr. Mikus served as International Project Manager at Erneuerbare Energien Hamburg Clusteragentur GmbH. Mr. Mikus holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Industrial Engineering from the University of Hamburg, the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, and the Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg.

Jonas Pluschke holds a PhD in Environmental Process Engineering from TU Berlin, where he focused on industrial water management and sustainable resource solutions in several international projects. He now works on the integration of hydrogen technologies into renewable energy systems, particularly photovoltaic-battery-hydrogen microgrids for resilient off-grid power supply. Within the GH2GH project, he is involved in developing and operating a PV-hydrogen microgrid in Ghana that combines renewable electricity generation with hydrogen production and storage. His interests include system integration and the practical deployment of sustainable infrastructure in emerging markets.

Dr. Kathrin Ebner is an expert in electrochemical hydrogen technologies. She serves as Tech Lead for Hydrogen & E Mobility at Munich Re's Green Tech Solutions team. Previously, she worked at several research institutes specializing in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies. She holds a PhD in electrochemistry from ETH Zurich.

With over 25 years of experience, Manfred Limbrunner is a leading figure in the fuel cell industry. During his 24-year tenure at Proton Motor, he served in key roles ranging from CTO to Board Member; as Director of Sales and Marketing, he was instrumental in developing the company's brand and driving its commercialization.Today, at H2 Powercell GmbH, he leads the marketing and sales of electrolysis and hydrogen technologies. In this role, he also supports partner companies BEN-Tec and Hydro Generation in implementing decentralized, renewable energy solutions for efficient, carbon-neutral power and heat generation.