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North German Economy Relies on Hydrogen

By September 20, 2019 2   min read  (371 words)

September 20, 2019 |

IHK Position Paper Main
At the International Hydrogen Symposium in the Hamburg, the German Chamber of Commerce presented its position paper on the use of hydrogen. 

The northern German Chambers of Commerce support the use of hydrogen in the northern federal states. On Wednesday (18 September 2019), the network of twelve North German Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( IHK Nord ) handed over a position paper on the expansion of the hydrogen economy to Hamburg’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Transport Michael Westhagemann.

Hydrogen for the energy transition

Hydrogen is regarded as a sensible energy storage to drive the energy transition in Germany. Northern Germany wants to play a role model here because in addition to solar power can be used in particular the wind power. “The success of the Energiewende undoubtedly decides in northern Germany and will not be possible without hydrogen,” said Friederike Kühn, chairwoman of the IHK Nord, at the handover of the position paper at Hamburg Airport.

Together with Senator Westhagemann and Diana Rickwardt, Vice Presidents of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Kühn visited Hamburg Airport for a mobile filling station and a new baggage tug powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The Hamburg Airport is to work climate-neutral until 2021. Michael Eggenschwiler, head of the Hamburg airport and chairman of the Hamburg Hydrogen Society, said: “We are very pleased that our commitment on the local, North German and federal level is helping to make hydrogen a political breakthrough Energy transition and climate protection. ”

Ecological and economic importance

The Chambers of Commerce and Industry demand in their position paper, inter alia, to use hydrogen as an alternative to electric mobility. Currently, the electrolysis of hydrogen is still too expensive, because the electricity price includes the EEG surcharge for the expansion of renewable energies. In the future, this surcharge should be removed.

“Building an innovative, green hydrogen economy has not only its ecological significance but also a significant economic dimension for northern Germany,” said Senator Westhagemann. “The establishment of new value chains will lead to new business fields in existing companies, new business settlements and start-ups in the region.”

Read the entire paper here (in German)

Source: Hamburg News

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