Germany and Turkey came together to discuss cooperation in green hydrogen production in Istanbul. The meeting was attended by the Head of the Department of Financial Instruments and Hydrogen Initiatives at the German Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection, Dr. Christian Storost, and representatives of the Green Hydrogen Producers Association (H2DER).
Yusuf Günay, President of H2DER, stated that Turkey has a great potential in renewable energy, which is a valuable advantage in green hydrogen production. He also emphasized that cooperation between the countries is necessary to accelerate the sector. The participants discussed priorities, short-term goals, and opportunities for collaboration in green hydrogen production. They listed several decisions, including integrating Turkey’s pipelines into the European Backbone mapping and organizing training programs for the hydrogen sector in cooperation with German structures. The participants also considered holding a second meeting in Berlin to discuss examples of projects. The meeting was held with the organization of AHK Turkey and the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and is a part of the International Hydrogen Development Program (H2-Uppp) Project.
The development of green hydrogen production is a part of the global movement to reduce carbon emissions and shift towards renewable energy. Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy to power the process of water electrolysis, which separates hydrogen from oxygen. The process is emission-free and produces only water vapor as a by-product. The hydrogen produced can be used as a clean fuel for transportation, heating, and industrial processes, replacing fossil fuels.
The cooperation between Germany and Turkey in green hydrogen production has great potential for both countries. Turkey has abundant renewable energy resources, and Germany is a leading country in green hydrogen production technology. The integration of Turkey’s pipelines into the European Backbone mapping would facilitate the transportation of green hydrogen to Europe, where there is a growing demand for clean energy. The training programs organized in cooperation with German structures would also contribute to the development of a skilled workforce in Turkey’s green hydrogen sector.
However, there are also potential challenges to the cooperation. The production of green hydrogen requires a significant amount of renewable energy, which may not be available at all times due to the intermittent nature of renewable sources such as solar and wind. The development of efficient energy storage systems is essential to overcome this challenge. The pricing of green hydrogen is also a challenge, as it is currently more expensive to produce than fossil fuels. The development of policies and incentives to promote the production and use of green hydrogen is necessary to make it competitive in the market.
In conclusion, the meeting between Germany and Turkey in Istanbul marks an important step towards cooperation in green hydrogen production. The potential benefits of the cooperation are vast, including reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and creating new business opportunities. However, challenges such as the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and the pricing of green hydrogen need to be addressed to ensure the success of the cooperation. The organizations involved, including AHK Turkey, GIZ, and H2DER, should continue their efforts to promote the development of the green hydrogen sector in both countries.
