The Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) announced today that the concepts, structural proposals and operator models for a new innovation and technology center for hydrogen in aviation and shipping (“ITZ North”) are so valid and implementable that it can now be assumed that they will be implemented in the near future. With its support, the federal government is sending a decisive signal for the expansion of northern Germany into a hydrogen stronghold.
This is an assessment that points the way ahead for the upcoming implementation steps and approval procedures, and which the North German partners were pleased to note. The three North German federal states involved, Bremen, Hamburg and Lower Saxony, see their well-coordinated approach as confirmed and regard the positive conclusion of this preliminary procedure as an important milestone.
Hamburg’s Economics Senator Michael Westhagemann: “Our approach of “strengthening strengths” has proven to be correct. Hamburg is driving forward the transformation processes aimed at decarbonization towards hydrogen and sees a high location-related relevance in aviation as well as in shipping. We would therefore like to thank the BMDV that we can now gradually put our integrated concept into practice, because we can only succeed in ramping up the hydrogen economy more quickly if we work together.”
Lower Saxony’s Economics Minister Dr. Bernd Althusmann: “A new type of service center like the ITZ Nord brings real added value for the further path of decarbonization in aviation and shipping. I am very pleased that we can also consider medium-sized companies and start-ups as important target groups. The evaluation result from Berlin is a very positive signal for Lower Saxony, for the Stade location and for northern Germany. It shows that our cooperation within the framework of the North German hydrogen strategy is bearing fruit.”
Background:
With the ITZ H2, the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) is implementing a measure of the national hydrogen strategy. The ITZ locations are intended to create a development, research and test environment, especially for start-ups, founders and small and medium-sized companies. Suppliers, manufacturers and developers of hydrogen technologies for the mobility sector will be provided with new services that are unique in Europe. In an international context, the ITZ locations will also contribute to the development of technical regulations and standards for standardized hydrogen drive technology and infrastructure.
The multi-centre concept is to be implemented at four locations nationwide (Chemnitz, Duisburg, Pfeffenhausen and northern Germany). The BMDV is providing start-up financing of up to 290 million euros for this. The North location (Hamburg, Bremen/Bremerhaven, Stade) offers services for hydrogen and fuel cell applications in aviation and shipping. In aviation, one focus is on liquid hydrogen, while derivatives are also included in shipping. The range of services extends to research, testing and RCS services as well as training and further education.
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