Utilitas Case Study: The 1st Full‑Value‑Chain Green Hydrogen System in the Baltic States 

Takeaways  

• Utilitas partnered with Stargate Hydrogen to start its first hydrogen production project; the chosen location was the Utilitas Väo combined heat and power plant in Tallinn, Estonia.  

• The system includes on‑site hydrogen purification, integration with Utilitas' district‑heating network via waste‑heat recovery, and the capability to fill MEGCs (multi‑element gas containers) for off‑site hydrogen distribution.  

• The 1MW electrolyser is connected to a refueling station where 30 Toyota Mirais, operated by Bolt, are being refueled.  

• The project was subject to multiple constraints: a tight urban site, harsh Estonian winter conditions, and complex supplier coordination.  

• Stakeholder interviews reveal how the partnership, engineering process, and automation setup contributed to project success.  

• The installation is now operational, producing high‑purity hydrogen for a fuel cell taxi fleet, marking a milestone for Utilitas and the hydrogen industry in the Baltics.  

• This case study offers insights into system selection, integration into existing infrastructure, and how turn‑key delivery models work in practice.  

Utilitas Case Study Video  

Stargate Hydrogen - Utilitas Case Study - 1 MW Electrolyser - Full video with interviews 

About Utilitas 

Utilitas is a leading producer of renewable heat and electricity in Estonia, with a large district-heating network serving urban and suburban communities. Their business covers renewable and local energy sources, and district heating, all aligned with a mission to reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption and maximise efficient use of local renewables.  

For Utilitas, hydrogen isn’t simply a pilot technology; it forms a part of their long‑term decarbonisation roadmap, labelled “From Low to Zero”. The company is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enabling clean energy solutions in an urban context.  

By choosing to partner with Stargate Hydrogen for this project, Utilitas signaled a clear intent: to broaden beyond traditional district-heating operations and enter into renewable fuel production operations.  

Why Utilitas Chose Stargate Hydrogen  

When Utilitas initiated the project, they established several critical criteria for their hydrogen‑system partner:  

• A robust system built to operate year‑round, including in the cold climate typical of Estonia.  

• Trustworthy project delivery including design, manufacture, shipping, and commissioning.  

• An engineering partner willing to work collaboratively, not simply deliver equipment.  

As Aivo Lokk, a representative of Utilitas, states: “Working with the Stargate hydrogen team has been a collaborative and rewarding experience. From the beginning, it felt like we were growing together and learning together. The team brought a high level of competence and professionalism to the table and consistently delivered on their commitments. They became a trusted partner in our energy transition journey.”  

Overview of the project  

The project covers the design, deployment and commissioning of a containerised hydrogen production system at the Utilitas site in Tallinn. This installation represents the first full hydrogen value‑chain demo system in the Baltic States.   

The system was designed in a containerised format, facilitating a relatively compact footprint and modular installation. It is powered by two 0.5 MW stacks, and it is designed and manufactured in Europe. Since September 2025, the system has been up and running, producing high‑purity hydrogen at the Utilitas power plant in Tallinn. This project marks a significant step for Utilitas, combining hydrogen production, thermal integration, and mobility‑fuel readiness. 

The Solution Delivered by Stargate Hydrogen  

Stargate Hydrogen’s solution is called the Gateway 200. Turnkey package: design, fabrication, shipping, installation, commissioning and hand‑over.   

Key aspects of the solution include:  

• Production of high‑purity hydrogen: A nominal capacity of 1 MW electrolyser, capable of producing up to approximately 432 kg of hydrogen per day. The system includes a purification unit to ensure the hydrogen output meets mobility and industrial fuel cell standards.  

• Heat integration: By linking the electrolyser’s waste heat into Utilitas' district-heating network, the system boosts overall system efficiency and offers an additional value stream for the client.  

• Distribution readiness: With Multiple-Element Gas Container (MEGC) filling capability and interface with mobility refueling infrastructure, the developed solution supports the local green hydrogen logistics chain.  

• Compact containerised design: To suit the tight urban footprint at Utilitas’ plant, the system was designed with space constraints in mind.  

As Rubén Canalejas Pérez, Head of System Development, Stargate Hydrogen, explains:  “To ensure the system was ready for day‑to‑day operation from factory acceptance testing to on‑site testing and commissioning, we have adopted a thorough and structured process that ensures the client can take over the operation with full confidence. Our team of engineers work closely with our client to verify a proper alignment on every aspect of the final product, from its design until every detail of its operation.”  

This level of collaboration helped align system functionality with Utilitas' operational needs, which in turn reduced risk in commissioning and handover.  

Overcoming the Main Challenges  

Like any ambitious project, the Utilitas hydrogen system encountered several non‑trivial challenges which required specific strategies to address.  

Urban Site Constraints  

The power station site is located in an urban environment with limited space, meaning the system needed a compact design and precise logistics for installation.  

Aniket Choudhari remarks:  “The first challenge was a location. As you can see, we are in a tight location. This challenged our team to design the system as compact as possible.”  

Harsh Winter Conditions  

Tallinn’s climate presents low temperatures, snow and ice, conditions that can hamper installation, commissioning and ongoing operation of equipment. The system was engineered to withstand these northern European conditions.  

Aniket Choudhari, Stargate Hydrogen's Business Development Senior Manager, said:  “One of the difficulties was a harsh Estonian environment. Freezing temperatures, wind, ice and snow are testing the strength of the team on the ground. But the bad weather is not a problem for our system as it is designed to withstand the low temperatures common in Northern Europe.”  

External Supplier Coordination and Integration into Live Infrastructure  

This project was not a greenfield development. It required integrating into an existing facility with live energy flows, so scheduling and coordination were critical. Selecting qualified contractors and aligning the supply‑chain schedule were early decisions that helped keep the project on track.  

According to Victor Nikitin, Head of Projects at Stargate Hydrogen: “The first thing that caught my attention was the complexity of integrating a hydrogen system into an existing power station. It’s not a greenfield project. We saw the potential right away, stable access to renewable energy infrastructure already in place and strong motivation of all sides.”  

Where does the hydrogen go?   

The hydrogen produced by the Utilitas system, which complies with the hydrogen quality requirements of ISO 14687, is primarily used for mobility applications. One of the first and most visible use cases is fueling Estonia’s first hydrogen-powered taxis, operated by Bolt, the mobility platform.  

Tallinn saw its first fleet of green hydrogen taxis hit the streets, powered by hydrogen supplied directly from the Utilitas site to refuelling stations operated by Alexela. This project is a collaboration between Bolt, Utilitas, and Alexela and the broader hydrogen ecosystem being built across Estonia.  

The car model chosen for the taxis is the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), offering a fast-refueling, zero-emissions alternative to conventional vehicles. The 1 MW electrolyser's output supports this fleet by offering locally produced, clean hydrogen that aligns with the city's environmental targets. This off-take model showcases how green hydrogen is already supporting commercial transportation use cases, not just as a concept, but as an operational solution.  

The Outcome  

Reliable high‑purity hydrogen production in a Northern European urban environment. The system is now fully operational on the Utilitas site, producing green hydrogen on‑site and supplying hydrogen in formats suitable for mobility and off‑site transport.  A demonstration of a full hydrogen value‑chain (production, purification, thermal recovery, distribution) in the Baltic States, paving the way for replication.  

For Utilitas, the hydrogen system delivered by Stargate Hydrogen marks a tangible step towards decarbonised operations and expanded flexibility in energy supply. The project proves how an established district heating provider can incorporate hydrogen production, integrate waste heat, and support mobility infrastructure, all in a real‑world context.  

By choosing a partner capable of delivering a turnkey system designed for local conditions and aligned with operational readiness, including automation, operational documentation, and handover procedures, Utilitas and Stargate Hydrogen achieved a robust outcome.  

If your organisation is exploring green hydrogen for industrial use cases, mobility or district‑energy applications, this case study shows what a fully‑integrated project can look like, and what factors contribute to its success. Contact Stargate Hydrogen's team to help you navigate through the details of your project.