For Fabian Pfaffenberger of the Bavarian Research Center for Hydrogen Technology in Nuremberg, the analysis of the current situation is relatively clear.
“The developments in Ukraine and the resulting political and economic countermeasures ultimately also mean a rethinking of energy policy. In addition to climate protection, the main issues now are security of supply and energy prices,” the managing director of the Nuremberg-based “Hydrogen Bavaria Center” (H2.B) emphasizes when asked. In more martial terms, one could say that the development of hydrogen technology has suddenly taken on strategic importance as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine war – Habeck wants to use hydrogen “as soon as possible
In response to the Ukraine conflict, German Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) has made it clear that hydrogen is intended to provide the Republic with secure energy in the long term when the wind fails and the skies are cloudy. For more energy independence and geopolitical strength, the planned gas-fired power plants are to be fired with hydrogen “as quickly as possible.” Habeck has thus once again brought additional momentum to energy policy and further increased the pressure to act, emphasizes Pfaffenberger from “H2.B” in Nuremberg.
According to Pfaffenberger, the following tasks must now be completed as quickly as possible. First, the production capacities for hydrogen in Germany must be expanded. In addition, the development of the transport infrastructure for hydrogen would have to take place at the same time. Nuremberg’s economic advisor Michael Fraas (CSU) recently brought inland waters into play as a transport route. Fabian Pfaffenberger, on the other hand, is thinking more about the construction of hydrogen pipelines.
Energy security with hydrogen in Nuremberg: “Three birds” with one stone
There seems to be no lack of the necessary funds for this. According to Pfaffenberger, in order to accelerate the expansion of energy autonomy, the federal government wants to invest around 200 billion euros in energy security and climate protection by 2026. According to Pfaffenberger, hydrogen technology could kill three birds with one stone. First, it could reduce dependence on Russian energy supplies, reduce price pressure and thus strengthen Germany overall. “And we can – this must not be lost in any debate – also make an important contribution to stopping climate change with green hydrogen.”
