Hydrogen: A new wonder solution for industry?

The energy transition is being felt across every area of industry. “Green hydrogen” is currently attracting particular attention and considerable debate. After several countries began investing heavily in hydrogen technologies as part of so-called power-to-X technologies, Germany is increasingly under pressure to act and has ambitious plans. The task is to develop strategies to support and advance hydrogen technologies over the coming years.

The five northern German states — Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Bremen — are taking the lead and are already working on a joint project. Their goal is to use wind power to build a large green hydrogen economy by 2035.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) also believes that now is the right time to act and recommends joining the emerging hydrogen boom. The fact that this is more than hype is evident in the growing number of major companies recognising hydrogen’s potential and clearly defining their climate-friendly goals for the future. Many businesses are directing their strategies towards renewable energy and launching hydrogen technology activities. Here are just a few examples from Germany:

• A hydrogen electrolysis plant is under construction at the Wesseling site of Shell’s Rhineland Refinery. Set to be the world’s largest at that point, it is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2020.
• Steel group Salzgitter also wants to make production more climate-friendly and has commissioned Siemens to build a hydrogen plant. From the fourth quarter of 2020, it is intended to cover the hydrogen needs of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. The electricity required is to come from seven wind turbines that grid operator Avacon is scheduled to install on the company’s site by 2020.
• Franco-German group Airbus SE aims to launch its first low-emission passenger aircraft by 2035. Hydrogen-based propulsion is among the technologies being considered.
• ThyssenKrupp aims to replace coal entirely with hydrogen from renewable energy in steel production by 2050.

Debate about hydrogen as the energy carrier of the future is unlikely to fade soon. Please contact us if you have questions or would like further information.