🚀 Beckhoff Showcased at Hydrogen Technology World Expo 2026!

[Mucitler Elektrik]

💡 Beckhoff's Innovative Approach to Hydrogen Technologies​

At the World Hydrogen Technologies Exhibition 2026, held in Hamburg from October 20-22, Beckhoff presented solutions to interface complexity and cell stack monitoring issues using PC-based control systems.

⚡ Integrated Control on a Single Platform​

The presented solution integrates process automation, functional safety, and measurement data acquisition on a single hardware platform by combining high-speed EtherCAT with PC-based control. The ELX terminal series eliminates the need for external Zener barriers by integrating intrinsically safe barriers for explosive atmospheres (Zone 0/20 and Zone 1/21) directly into the I/O housing. While IP67-rated EPX modules provide decentralized field distribution, operator interfaces are realized via Zone 2/22 certified CPX series panel PCs. The system ensures international compliance with unified certification under ATEX, IECEx, and NEC/CEC standards.

🏭 Wide Range of Applications​

This system can be used in many areas such as chemical plant engineering, renewable energy "power-to-gas" facilities, and heavy-duty transportation refueling stations. In industrial water electrolysis, it prevents membrane degradation by managing high-density multi-channel voltage monitoring in series-connected cell stacks. In distributed compressor stations and hydrogen refueling facilities, it synchronizes high-pressure valve activation, gas flow monitoring, and safety shutdown protocols in hazardous operating areas without the need for separate PLC networks.

🛠️ Easy Installation and Integration​

The hardware can be easily integrated into existing control cabinets with standard DIN rail mounting or used in the field via decentralized IP67 modules. It communicates with existing supervisory systems via standard industrial Ethernet protocols. For grid connection, the EL3475 power measurement terminal works with SCL6xxx split-core current transformers to capture electrical supply parameters, facilitating compliance with Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) in plant modernizations. Software configuration is done in the TwinCAT development environment, and the integrated TwinCAT CoAgent provides automatic code generation for PLC logic, human-machine interfaces, and I/O mapping.

📈 Operational Efficiency and Performance​

The elimination of external galvanic isolation barriers significantly reduces control cabinet space and wiring costs. The EL3008-0003 and EL3008-0005 EtherCAT terminals provide precise monitoring by sampling single cell potentials on eight channels per terminal, within plus or minus 3 V or 5 V measurement ranges. These terminals are rated for series potentials up to 1,500 V CAT II. The staggered use of the measurement topology reduces the number of physical cables in large cell arrangements. TwinCAT CoAgent continuously analyzes process variables to generate deterministic fault diagnoses and procedural maintenance instructions, which accelerates commissioning times and shortens the mean time to repair.