A State-of-the Art in Germany on Green and Low Carbon Hydrogen Policies
Germany has a comprehensive hydrogen strategy, which aims to establish the country as a global leader in hydrogen technologies. The strategy includes targets for hydrogen production, infrastructure development, and the use of hydrogen in various sectors.
The German hydrogen strategy seeks to bolster electrolyser capacity both on land and offshore, with a focus on system coupling and system-friendly electrolysis to mitigate the necessity for grid expansion. The strategy aims at developing 10 GW electrolyser capacity by 2030. Anticipating the bulk of national demand to be imported, the strategy primarily earmarks ship-based ammonia as the key import method until 2030. However, green methane, synthetic methanol, LOHC, and liquid hydrogen may assume roles in the medium- to long-term.
Post-2030, pipeline-based green hydrogen will be sourced from Europe and neighbouring regions, with a concerted effort to minimise risk through diversification. Targeting a pipeline network expansion by 2030, the strategy aims for interconnection with neighbouring countries to ensure ample emission-free supply without bottlenecks.
Aviation, shipping, and heavy-duty mobility are top priorities for hydrogen implementation, along with replacing fossil fuels in high-temperature industrial applications, while ensuring system compatibility in the energy sector. Although hydrogen is not expected to significantly impact space heating, the strategy advocates for considering waste heat recovery from electrolyser operations. The government will sustain funding programs for infrastructure, research and development, and adherence to international standards for hydrogen transport applications.
Germany aspires to emerge as a global leader in hydrogen technology supply by 2030, with domestic companies participating substantially across the value chain.
Timeline
Local specifics
Bavarian hydrogen strategy
Bavaria has its own hydrogen strategy. At the core is a research initiative “H2 Hightech Bavaria,” which strengthens hydrogen research by realigning and consolidating the existing competencies throughout Bavaria.
Industrial scaling and profitability are to be accelerated. With development, testing, and application facilities, innovative Bavarian companies and research organizations will drive industrial development forward. Bavaria’s powerful supply industry provides excellent conditions for this.
The goal is to accelerate hydrogen applications in transportation and industry as well as the expansion of the H2 infrastructure. Over the next few years, 100 hydrogen refuelling stations will be built throughout Bavaria. For this purpose, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has launched a funding program of 50 million euros as part of the High-Tech Agenda. The establishment of public and corporate hydrogen refuelling stations for fuel cell buses and trucks/utility vehicles will be funded.
To activate the market, the state government will also promote combined electrolysis plants and fuel cell vehicles such as buses and utility vehicles/trucks. This is intended to create new value-added opportunities for refuelling station locations in the wider area: at municipal operating yards, municipal utilities, fleet and bus companies. In addition, in 2021, the world’s first LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier) refuelling station is expected to start operating in Erlangen. Still, this year, innovative Bavarian fuel cell technology will drive on Bavarian roads for the first time in a converted truck prototype.
Based on the strategy, the H2.B in Nuremberg will develop a “Hydrogen Roadmap Bavaria” for the period until 2025. With this specific roadmap, the experts will support the goals and measures of the Bavarian Hydrogen Strategy through monitoring and assessment of market developments.
Link to the Hydrogen Strategy Bavaria:
h2.bayern/wasserstoffstrategie/#strategie
HyBayern:
Compilation of three administrative districts (LA-EBE-M), transport companies, energy providers, industry, trade and crafts. Implementation of closed hydrogen cycle generating, distributing and using emission-free “green hydrogen”.
h2v.eu/hydrogen-valleys/hybayern-0
Transregional cooperation agreements of HyAllgäu project:
HyAllgäu was able to cooperate with two neighbouring regions in the north and west for further HyExperts II applications. In each case, applications were supported in which the respective region benefits from the favourable conditions for the production of ‘green regional hydrogen’ in the Allgäu. The aim in each case is to focus on expanded sales markets for green hydrogen from the Allgäu.
- Neighbouring region 1: „HyAllgäu*-Bodensee“
- Neighbouring region 2: „HyBodensee“
- Neighbouring region 3: „Europaregion Tirol – Südtirol – Trentino“
www.allgaeu-klimaschutz.de/wasserstoffzukunftsregion-allgaeu.html
