“We also need bridging technologies for hydrogen”

Relying temporarily on low-carbon hydrogen production could significantly accelerate the path to a hydrogen economy, says Silvio Konrad, energy expert at TÜV NORD GROUP, in the latest episode of the podcast “Energieschub”. “We need pragmatic solutions. At the same time, however, we must not lose sight of our sustainability aspirations.”

Germany's reliable supply of sustainably produced hydrogen is the aim of the update to the German government's National Hydrogen Strategy published this summer. “The strategy is an important signal for the huge potential of the flexible energy carrier hydrogen for our sustainable energy supply, the necessary heat transition or as energy storage for increasing electrification,” emphasizes Silvio Konrad, Managing Director of TÜV NORD Systems. As a result, it is now important to create binding framework conditions, such as concrete action plans for imports or clear limits on greenhouse gas emissions for so-called blue hydrogen from less sustainable production. All of this should be accelerated by reducing bureaucracy and simplifying regulations in a market-oriented way. “If this doesn't happen, there will be uncertainty and gaps - other countries will be more open and clearer in their requirements as potential target countries and we run the risk of losing the competition for key international energy suppliers,” warns the energy expert.

The goal is sustainable, renewable hydrogen in sufficient quantities for everyone. Until then, however, alternative processes are needed as bridging technologies, which must of course be as CO2-reduced as possible. By updating the National Hydrogen Strategy, the legislator is paving the way for a rapid, technology-open facilitation of the market ramp-up with the transitional use of so-called blue hydrogen. This is considered sustainable if the CO2 produced is permanently stored or otherwise used and thus does not enter the atmosphere. “We welcome the fact that the proposed Hydrogen Acceleration Act is to be presented this year with the aim of adapting and simplifying the regulatory framework,” Konrad continues.

Konrad also advocated pragmatic solutions with regard to the necessary import of hydrogen: “Openness to technology can be a market advantage. Likewise, investment incentives in European, local production can strengthen the necessary expansion of international partnerships.” At the same time, he emphasized: “Hydrogen can only be imported as a sustainable energy source if we look at the entire supply chain and are aware of our responsibility towards the producing country! This also includes social standards and labor standards in the exporting country.”

When it comes to production, Germany needs to think in a decentralized way. With hydrogen production in offshore wind farms, large-scale electrolysis will certainly become an issue in the north. In the rest of Germany, however, local electrolysis hubs should be strengthened, as they could play a role as self-sufficient systems in the regional supply, says Silvio Konrad in the new podcast episode of Energieschub.

Local projects for the hydrogen economy

TÜV NORD GROUP experts are already involved in many pioneering hydrogen ramp-up projects along the value chain. In the area of import/export, for example, they support the H2 Global Foundation and energy companies from the Middle East. In this region, they also validated Egypt's hydrogen export strategy on behalf of the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy. However, imports alone will not meet demand in Germany. Therefore, the local production of hydrogen is emphasized by experts and the National Hydrogen Council. TÜV NORD GROUP experts are supporting RWE in Lingen and VoltH2 in Essen, for example, in the realization of electrolysis plants. On the user side of hydrogen, the energy-intensive steel industry, among others, is supported by the safety experts: Arcelor Mittal is working on converting to hydrogen in Bremen and Hamburg, as is Salzgitter AG - these projects are also running with the support of the TÜV NORD GROUP.

Find out more in the new episode of “Energieschub”.

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