With its National Hydrogen Strategy(NWS), the German government has taken a decisive step towards a sustainable and climate-friendly future. The strategy, which was adopted in June 2020, focuses on green hydrogen as a central building block for the energy transition and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Goals and priorities of the strategy
Green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable energies such as wind and solar power. It is a promising energy source as it is CO2-neutral and can be used in many areas such as industry, transportation and heat supply.
The NWS pursues several key objectives:
- Climate protection and emissions reduction: The use of green hydrogen should help to achieve national climate targets and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Technology leadership: Germany should play a leading role in hydrogen technology and be regarded as an international pioneer.
- Economic development: The promotion of the hydrogen economy is intended to open up new markets and create jobs.
Measures and implementation
The strategy includes a range of measures to promote the production, transportation and use of hydrogen. These include
- Research and development: The German government is investing in research projects and innovation initiatives to further develop hydrogen technologies and bring them to market maturity.
- International cooperation: Germany is working closely with international partners to promote the global hydrogen market and establish trade in green hydrogen. Demonstration projects with countries such as Australia and regions in Africa are part of these efforts.
- Infrastructure development: The expansion of infrastructure for the production and transportation of hydrogen is another important component of the NWS. This includes the creation of hydrogen pipelines and storage facilities as well as the adaptation of existing gas networks.
Challenges and outlook
Despite the ambitious goals and measures, there are also challenges in implementing the National Hydrogen Strategy. These include the high cost of producing green hydrogen and the need for considerable investment in infrastructure. Nevertheless, the German government is confident that these challenges can be overcome by promoting research and development as well as international partnerships.
The National Hydrogen Strategy represents an important step towards leading Germany into a sustainable future and at the same time taking advantage of economic opportunities. By consistently implementing the strategy, Germany can achieve its climate targets and gain worldwide recognition as a pioneer in the field of hydrogen technology.
For more information on the National Hydrogen Strategy, visit the official websites of the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK).
