At the federal level, ministers cannot commit to a German hydrogen strategy. Another attempt by the federal government to reach agreement has apparently failed. This is reported by the news agency “Reuters”, citing government circles. Contrary to what was originally planned, the lead economics ministry did not register the strategy for the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The last chance is now a round at ministerial level, although it is questionable whether this can take place before Wednesday. The main point of contention is the question of how quickly and to what capacity hydrogen production should be ramped up.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs originally wanted to set an electrolysis output of three to five gigawatts as a target by 2030, according to Reuters. In addition, natural gas should initially play a larger role in the production of hydrogen. The government's hydrogen strategy should have been decided in 2019.
Meanwhile, according to media reports, Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek (CDU) announced a billion-dollar program to promote hydrogen technologies at the weekend. She wants to launch an innovation offensive by 2025 and “make Germany the lead market”.
Bavaria's Economics and Energy Minister Hubert Aiwanger had previously announced a 50 million program to build 100 hydrogen filling stations as well as further impetus to develop the Free State into a “global H2 technology leader”. “Made in Bavaria” should become a hydrogen seal of quality. Hydrogen should promote the phase-out of the use of fossil fuels. The aim is to achieve a division of labor between Bavaria and regions that produce green hydrogen.
In September 2019, the state government founded the Hydrogen.Bayern Center (H2.B) and launched the “Bavarian Hydrogen Alliance” with now over 30 partners from business, science and associations. In addition, Bavaria is “laying the basis for hydrogen innovations” with a series of new research projects, according to the ministry. According to the information, Bayern's strategy is divided into three segments:
1. Innovation and technological leadership to develop and expand global market potential. The core is a research offensive “H2 Hightech Bavaria”, which will strengthen hydrogen research through a realignment and bundling of existing competencies.
2. Accelerating industrial scaling and economics. Innovative Bavarian companies and research organizations are intended to advance industrial development with development, testing and user facilities.
3. Accelerate hydrogen applications in transport and industry as well as the expansion of the H2 infrastructure. As a basis, 100 H2 filling stations are to be built across Bavaria in the next few years. For this purpose, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has launched a funding program worth 50 million euros. The construction of public and company H2 filling stations for fuel cell buses and trucks/commercial vehicles is funded.
The state government will also promote combined electrolysis systems and fuel cell vehicles such as buses and commercial vehicles/trucks. The main aim is to create new value creation opportunities for filling station locations at municipal depots, at municipal utilities, and for fleet and bus companies.
The H2.B in Nuremberg will develop a “Bavarian Hydrogen Roadmap” for the period up to 2025.
Deep link:
https://de.reuters.com/article/deutschland-energie-wasserstoff-idDEKBN2351V9
https://www.faz.net/2.1652/anja-karliczek-weltmeister-des-gruenen-wasserstoffs-werden-16794947.html
https://www.stmwi.bayern.de/presse/pressemeldungen/pressemeldung/pm/43490/
https://www.stmwi.bayern.de/wasserstoffstrategie/
Photos:
Bavaria's Economics and Energy Minister Hubert Aiwanger (2nd from left) presents the Bavarian hydrogen strategy in Nuremberg / © StMWi/E. Neureuther
