Green hydrogen is the assurance that Germany and Europe will be able to maintain their position as global industrial and technology leaders while also meeting the climate targets for 2045–2050.
The National Hydrogen Strategy 2020 was published, and this resulted in the organization of the procedures needed to execute the use of hydrogen as an energy source in German climate policy within the framework of the European Green Deal. Yet, it is now crucial to set up the framework for a focused commercial ramp-up of green hydrogen use, transportation, and manufacturing across all industries.
Hydrogen is essential to a competitive, climate-neutral, and secure energy system in the context of the energy crisis brought on by the attack on Ukraine and in order to meet the interim targets for lowering emissions by 2030: The National Hydrogen Council (NWR) estimates that between 964 and 1,364 TWh of climate-neutral hydrogen and derivatives of hydrogen will be needed annually between 2040 and 2050. According to the Hydrogen Roadmap Europe, hydrogen has the potential to bring in up to €820 billion in yearly revenues and produce 5.4 million new employment in the EU by 2050. By 2050, it is anticipated that the yearly amount of trade will surpass USD 2,500 billion.
By 2030, the federal government wants Germany to be the “lead market for green hydrogen technologies.” In order to achieve this goal, the federal government must now implement an ambitious, future-focused national hydrogen strategy that is tailored to practical needs in order to seize the chance to accelerate a green hydrogen market economy. The DWV has therefore developed and published an overall concept for a trend-setting national hydrogen strategy H2.0 along the entire value chain with 68 measures based on its many years of experience, exchange with politics, associations, and industry, as well as the knowledge of its more than 175 member companies.
Among other aspects, the measures include:
- the requirement for unambiguous regulatory frameworks that guarantee the production of green hydrogen in the necessary quantities,
- encourage the use of and demand for green hydrogen products in the industrial, refining, transportation, energy, and heating industries.
- increase green hydrogen production to develop a hydrogen market economy, guarantee the transformation of energy-intensive industries, and create industrial jobs;
- ensure the expansion of storage and infrastructure as well as imports to guarantee a supply based on needs for industry and civic society,
- expedite the required planning and permit processes; and
- to ensure the supply and training of skilled people.
The examination of the 68 initiatives in the update of the national hydrogen strategy will be decisive for a successful ramp-up of the green hydrogen market economy in Germany. It will only be feasible to create a path for businesses to have the essential investment assurance for the transition to a secure supply and defossilized energy industry with a political roadmap grounded in the National Hydrogen Strategy. A comprehensive national hydrogen plan is required to guarantee the future market and this enormous economic potential.
