Automation technology for Quest One Partner for green energy
Wind turbines need wind to turn. Solar energy relies on sunshine. What can be done when the weather is unfavourable?
Renewable energies can be used to produce hydrogen, which can be stored long-term. This means that solar power can be used even when the sun is not shining.
Quest One GmbH is a global leader in PEM* electrolysis for the production of green hydrogen and has set itself an ambitious goal: by 2050, it aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by one per cent through the use of its own electrolysers.
PEM-Elektrolyseur ME450
Quest One´s turnkey solution is the ME450 PEM electrolyser. It is the size of a 40-foot container. But what it contains is much bigger. One electrolyser can produce 450 kg of green hydrogen per day. That is enough to fuel 90 cars. Alternatively, the hydrogen can be fed directly into the grid as green gas – and it is CO₂-free.
In 2023, Quest One began searching for a new supplier for switchgear production for these PEM electrolysers. They found what they were looking for. Since then, the hydrogen specialist has relied on Blumenbecker's expertise.
Finding the right partner for switchgear construction
For a long time, Quest One's headquarters in Augsburg relied on switchgear suppliers from the surrounding area. As these suppliers were no longer able to keep pace with the company's expansion plans in terms of capacity, the search for new partners began in early 2023. A long list was drawn up. Blumenbecker was somewhere on this long list. Björn Wawrok from Quest One summarises why Blumenbecker came out on top at the end of the selection process. He was Senior Strategic Buyer until 2025. He now holds the position of Process Manager Procurement: ‘Blumenbecker has a good setup. It offers the possibility to build what we need. The initial discussions showed that it was worth pursuing a trial enquiry.’
Test order for a control cabinet and 20 terminal boxes
The procedure was carried out with several potential suppliers, because ‘that's the only way to see how the other party ticks,’ he adds. Quest One initially ordered a switchgear cabinet and 20 junction boxes for a PEM electrolyser ME450. ‘This was a good opportunity to convince Quest One of our experience and expertise,’ says Key Account Manager Alexander Steinber.
Two months after receiving the order, Blumenbecker was able to deliver the switchgear cabinet and the first junction boxes.
he test request was promising for Quest One. Test passed! ‘Blumenbecker contributed good ideas. The feedback was constructive. So we decided to go with Blumenbecker,’ explains Wawrok.
In 2025, Norbert Nittka, who had been with Quest One since 2022, replaced Wawrok as Strategic Buyer. Since then, he has been responsible for the product groups switch cabinets, power supplies and similar items. ‘The ME450 electrolyser was based on a very short timeline. Additional technical changes within the project posed particular challenges,’ adds Nittka.
The start of series production of switchgear cabinets for Quest One.
This was followed by negotiations on a framework agreement for 25 switchgear cabinets and 110 junction boxes. E-Plan support for development was also awarded to Blumenbecker.‘With the upcoming series production, we are talking about the further development of our existing product. We had created documentation for this in-house. As is often the case at a desk, some things need to be fine-tuned in practice afterwards. Since Blumenbecker had not worked on the predecessor product, it was essentially two new starts in one,’ says Wawrok
Both restarts were successful, as Nittka confirms: ‘Forward-looking material management within the delivery bottlenecks ensured that the schedule requirements were met and, in some cases, made them possible in the first place. All switch cabinets delivered were delivered and accepted without any quality deviations. The collaboration was characterised by very close, intensive and professional cooperation. New requirements were flexibly accepted and implemented during the project phase.’
Certified quality
Certifications are a must these days – and Quest One is no exception. The ISO 9001 audit took place in September 2024 at Blumenbecker's headquarters. ‘The audit went very well. It's a good foundation for long-term cooperation,’ says Steinberg, looking to the future with optimism.
The partnership between Quest One and Blumenbecker is still in its infancy, but promises sustainability on several levels. ‘We continue to build on an intensive and cooperative partnership, which we also want to leverage in new markets and projects,’ Nittka affirms. So the signs are pointing to GREEN.
Our customer says:
‘We continue to build on an intensive and cooperative partnership, which we also want to leverage in new markets and projects.’
Norbert Nittka, Strategic Buyer, Quest One GmbH
Interested in our solutions for switchgear manufacturing?
Then arrange an initial consultation with us now or send us the details of your switchgear project directly – we look forward to hearing from you.
Schedule an initial consultation
