According to media reports out of Germany, Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier wants to fund “green” hydrogen with a total amount of more than 2 billion euros in the coming years and to promote it with a fuel quota.
A 21-page paper has now been submitted to the departmental coordinating the “National Hydrogen Strategy”. CO2-free hydrogen plays a “central role” in the energy transition, according to a draft by the ministry on a “National Hydrogen Strategy”.
Around 700 million euros has already been allocated for the hydrogen innovation program and to be funded by 2026, now another 1.4 billion euros in funding will be available by 2026.
There will also be around 600 million for so-called “real laboratories” by 2025. A “National Hydrogen Council” with 13 experts is to be created in the first quarter.
According to the paper, “expanding the pioneering role of German companies in hydrogen technologies, creating new value chains for the German economy and contributing to the achievement of climate goals”.
Five Fields of Action
- The report states. “In order to create a strong home market and reduce the high manufacturing costs, three to five gigawatts of electrolysis capacity should be available by 2030. This could result in 20 percent of the hydrogen consumed in Germany being CO2-free.”
- According to the paper, “expanding the pioneering role of German companies in hydrogen technologies, creating new value chains for the German economy and contributing to the achievement of climate goals”.
- Another area of application that the report discusses is “the use of hydrogen drives to support suppliers of fuel cells and fuel cell heaters. Hydrogen should serve as a “fuel alternative”, whereby an “ambitious” quota is intended. “
- “Expanding the Hydrogen Network “-A further step that the report covers are efforts to expand the hydrogen network which includes the hydrogen filling station network.
- The fifth part of the strategy takes into account that despite all efforts, a large part of the hydrogen must be imported. That is why the government wants to enter into energy partnerships with supplier countries and at the same time bring them closer to German technology.
Hydrogen is an element that can be used in the chemical industry and for energy generation without CO2 emissions. However, it is not in pure form on earth and must therefore be obtained either from natural gas or by electrolysis. “Green” hydrogen comes from renewable energies. “Blue” is created from natural gas, provided the CO2 released is used or stored. If this does not happen, the hydrogen is called “gray”.
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