The study shows that the hydrogen and fuel cell industry is well-positioned in the country. In order to remain competitive in international competition, further investments by the domestic economies are necessary for the short term.
On behalf of the Ministry of the Environment, the Roland Berger management consultancy has carried out an extensive study on the potential of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry (PDF) in the state. “It is a key technology to achieve the climate protection goals,” said the Ministerial Director of the Environment Ministry, Helmfried Meinel. “Baden-Württemberg is one of the world’s leaders – and it should stay that way.”
The study shows how the hydrogen and fuel cell industry is set up in the country and what can and must be done to maintain and strengthen its global competitiveness, said Meinel. “What is remarkable for me is the character of the study, which goes far beyond the questions of e-mobility. So far, we have been discussing hydrogen and fuel cell technology primarily with a view to future emission-free mobility. But it is much more and can play a central role in all energy consumption sectors and in industrial production. ”
Study confirms Baden-Württemberg has a good competence base for hydrogen
More than 90 companies and 18 research institutions are currently dealing with hydrogen and fuel cell issues nationwide. The location was characterized by many years of experience in research and development, as well as high technological competence and innovative strength, according to the situation analysis of the Berger study. “Baden-Württemberg has a good competence-base today,” says Uwe Weichenhain, partner of Roland Berger and author of the study. “However, further investments by the domestic economy are necessary in the short term in order to remain competitive in international competition. Baden-Württemberg will benefit from future market growth through the rapid expansion of technological expertise and production capacities. ”
According to the study, gross value added up to two billion euros is possible in the hydrogen and fuel cell industry by 2030. 13,000 people could be employed in the industry. In the long term, there is much greater potential. Prerequisite: investments. “Only if further investments are already made in research and development, the expansion of the product portfolio of local companies and the expansion of production capacities can the increasing global demand for hydrogen and fuel cells from Baden-Württemberg be met,” says the study.
Recommendations from the Berger study
- Development of a hydrogen roadmap for Baden-Württemberg
Promotion of local hydrogen champions for the world market
Promotion of local hydrogen projects as a showcase for the world
The development of the hydrogen roadmap is currently being prepared by the Ministry of the Environment. A corresponding cabinet proposal is in coordination.
Strategic dialogue in the automotive industry
The study was financed from the strategy dialogue automotive industry. It was presented today as part of the Baden-Württemberg Fuel Cell Cluster, which is managed by the Landesagentur e-mobil BW. The network has been successfully driving projects along the entire hydrogen value chain since 2013, thus providing visible examples of how the great potential of hydrogen technology can be put into practice:
In the “HyFab” project, for example, automated production and quality assurance processes for fuel cells are being researched with funding from the Ministry of the Environment.
Under the name “H2Rivers”, federal and state funding will be used to demonstrate in a large-scale project between the Rhine and Neckar how a local chain of renewable hydrogen generation, distribution and consumption can be sustainably built.
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