SUSTAINABILITY & REGULATION
Climate benefits, framework conditions and promotion of hydrogen systems
Anyone who wants to use or plan hydrogen systems – whether for self-supply, process heat, mobility or grid relief – quickly finds themselves confronted with a multitude of legal requirements, approval procedures and reporting obligations. At the same time, the use of green hydrogen creates new opportunities for decarbonization, access to subsidies and sustainable corporate strategies. Whether for initial orientation or in-depth planning – here you will find comprehensibly prepared information, current developments and practical tips for the legally compliant and sustainable use of hydrogen technologies in a commercial context.
Sustainability
Hydrogen as the key to a sustainable future
Decarbonization of the industry
Industrial processes are among the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions – primarily through the use of fossil fuels in process heat generation and as a raw material in the chemical and steel industries.
- Steel production: hydrogen can replace coke in blast furnaces, replacing CO₂ with water vapor.
- Chemical industry: In the production of ammonia, methanol or synthetic fuels, hydrogen replaces fossil hydrogen sources (e.g. from natural gas).
- High-temperature processes: In areas such as glass, cement or ceramic production, hydrogen can serve as an emission-free energy source.
Transforming mobility
The transport sector is responsible for around a quarter of global CO₂ emissions. Hydrogen can particularly show its strengths where battery electric drives reach their limits in terms of range or charging time:
- Trucks, buses and trains benefit from short refueling times and a long range.
- Aviation and shipping: Hydrogen and the synthetic fuels (e-fuels) derived from it are key building blocks for climate-neutral long-distance mobility.
- Fleet applications: In logistics centers, factory traffic or public transport, fuel cell vehicles enable emission-free and reliable operation.
Decentralized energy supply
- Sector coupling: Surplus electricity from photovoltaic or wind power plants can be converted into hydrogen by electrolysis and converted back into electricity or used as process energy if required.
- Energy storage: Hydrogen storage buffers the volatile feed-in of renewable energy sources - seasonally and independently of the grid.
- Self-sufficient supply: In combination with solar or wind energy, buildings, commercial units or neighborhoods can be supplied with electricity and heat in a decentralized and CO₂-free manner.
Net Zero: contribution to global climate targets
The commitment to climate neutrality – “net zero” – requires emission-free solutions across all sectors. Hydrogen makes a strategically indispensable contribution:
- Avoiding emissions: By substituting fossil fuels with green hydrogen, emissions can be reduced not only locally but also globally.
- Circular economy: Hydrogen can become part of closed energy systems - e.g. by recycling CO₂ during e-fuel production.
- System integration: As a link between electricity, heat, industry and mobility, hydrogen creates a flexible infrastructure for the energy system of the future.
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- Compact H₂ complete systems
- Flexibly adaptable for heat utilization, reconversion to electricity & refueling
- Intelligent energy management system (EMS)
- Engineering, implementation and maintenance from a single source
Legal framework
Overview of important laws and regulations for hydrogen systems
The approval of hydrogen plants is a complex interplay of federal law, state law and European legal requirements. Due to the variety of possible technologies and locations, each approval is an individual case. Nevertheless, there are overarching legal principles, types of procedure and responsibilities that provide guidance.
| Legal area | Law / Regulation | Relevance for hydrogen projects |
|---|---|---|
| Immission control | BImSchG – Federal Immission Control Act | Regulates licensing requirements for larger electrolyzers, filling stations and facilities with potential environmental impact |
| 4th BImSchV – Ordinance on installations requiring approval | Determines which types of installations are subject to approval under the BImSchG | |
| Industrial Emissions Directive (EU) 2024/1785 | EU requirement for large emission-intensive installations | |
| Building law | Building Code (BauGB) | Regulates admissibility under planning law in outdoor areas, development plans, etc. |
| Example: Bavarian Building Code (BayBO) | Varies depending on the federal state – regulates e.g. distance areas, types of use | |
| Plant safety | Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) | Requirements for pressure vessels, pipelines and operation of technical systems |
| Product Safety Act (ProdSG) | Regulates the placing on the market of safe products and technical documentation | |
| ÜAnlG – Law on systems requiring monitoring | Responsibilities for inspection organizations and inspection obligations for technical installations | |
| Water law | Federal Water Act (WHG) | Relevance for sites near bodies of water, discharges, groundwater protection |
| AwSV – Ordinance on Installations with Substances Hazardous to Water | Requirements for storage tanks, pipes and safety measures for water-polluting media | |
| Nature conservation / Environment | Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) | Applies to interventions in the natural environment, species protection, FFH areas, etc. |
| UVPG – Environmental Impact Assessment Act | EIA required above certain thresholds – especially for large-scale H₂ plants | |
| Occupational health and safety | Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG) | Basis for measures to protect employees in hydrogen plants |
| Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV) | Applies when handling compressed, flammable hydrogen or electrolyte solutions | |
| Energy law | Energy Industry Act (EnWG) | Regulates grid connection, grid fees, own consumption, market integration of green electricity for electrolysis |
| GasHDrLtgV – Gas High Pressure Pipeline Ordinance | For hydrogen-carrying pipelines > 5 bar pressure – including material requirements and tests | |
| Technical rules | TRBS – Technical rules for operational safety | Specify the BetrSichV – e.g. TRBS 3145/1 (explosion protection), TRBS 1115 (gas installations) |
| DVGW hydrogen regulations | Minimum technical standards for the planning, construction and operation of H₂ systems | |
| Sustainability / RED | RED II – Directive (EU) 2018/2001 | Sets targets and requirements for renewable energy and green hydrogen |
| RED III – Directive (EU) 2023/2413 | New targets for green hydrogen in industry & transport by 2030/2035 | |
| Delegated regulations on the RFNBO definition | Regulates requirements for power sources, additionality, time and grid correlation |
Worth knowing
Technical articles and background information on hydrogen
Hydrogen as an energy carrier is as versatile as it is complex. In order to better understand the technological principles, challenges and possible applications, this section offers a selection of in-depth specialist articles. Whether you are looking for basic knowledge or specialized application reports, here you will find sound information for a technical, economic and practical introduction to the world of hydrogen.
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