The proposed Innovation and Technology Center (ITZ) for the use of hydrogen in aviation and shipping in northern Germany is getting closer. The notion is possible, according to a feasibility analysis conducted by the consulting firm Prognos. “We can now start implementing it,” stated Volker Wissing, Federal Transport Minister.
Hamburg, Bremen, and Bremerhaven, as well as Stade in Lower Saxony, will house the North German ITZ. At the same time, three other ITZ locations in Germany – Chemnitz, Duisburg, and Pfeffenhausen – are being planned, each of which will focus on a different aspect of hydrogen transportation.
The proposed Innovation and Technology Center (ITZ) for the use of hydrogen in aviation and shipping in northern Germany is getting closer. The notion is possible, according to a feasibility analysis conducted by the consulting firm Prognos. On Wednesday in Berlin, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) remarked, “We can now start implementing it.” Hamburg, Bremen, and Bremerhaven, as well as Stade in Lower Saxony, will house the North German ITZ. At the same time, three other ITZ locations in Germany – Chemnitz, Duisburg, and Pfeffenhausen – are being planned, each of which will focus on a different aspect of hydrogen transportation.
According to prior information from Wissing’s predecessor Andreas Scheuer, the federal government is funding up to 290 million euros for all four locations, with 70 million euros going to the north. The ITZ North site will specialize in hydrogen and fuel cell applications in aviation and maritime transportation. “Liquid hydrogen is a priority in aviation, but derivatives are also included in shipping,” according to the feasibility study.
Bernd Althusmann (CDU), the Economy Minister of Lower Saxony, talked of a “really optimistic signal” for the north. “It demonstrates that our collaboration within the North German hydrogen plan is paying off.” In 2019, the northern German federal states have already committed to collaborating on hydrogen. The ITZ should capitalize on current research and manufacturing capabilities. Hamburg’s Economics Senator Michael Westhagemann emphasized the topic’s relevance for Hamburg as a transportation and aviation manufacturing hub.
