Berlin (energate) - The German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (DWV - Deutsche Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellenverband) has presented its own hydrogen strategy for Germany. It contains a total of 68 measures along the entire value chain for a rapid market ramp-up of green hydrogen. With these, the association wants to continue the National Hydrogen Strategy (NWS - Nationale Wasserstoffstrategie) of the federal government and bring it to a quick implementation, according to a statement from a press release. On the occasion of the 1,000-day anniversary of the NWS, DWV had recently voiced clear criticism and above all complained that Germany is still far away from a hydrogen market because, apart from big announcements, not much has happened so far (
energate reported).
More ambitious hydrogen production
According to the association, there are many obstacles. In addition to reliable framework conditions and simplified licensing procedures, it would like to see more ambitious annual production targets, at least 30 TWh in 2030 and 100 TWh by 2045. "Annual electrolyser supply capacities of 16 GW and 28 GW in 2025 and 2030 are feasible," wrote DWV. The federal government's current NWS sets a target of 10 GW by 2030 (
energate reported). In order to achieve these higher values, the association proposes annualised and thus controllable expansion targets analogous to the EEG. In addition, it would make sense to invite tenders for different types of hydrogen power plants. These include hydrogen sprinter and hybrid power plants as well as decentralised hydrogen CHPs.
Green hydrogen with PEF of 0.06
In addition to its applications in industry, refineries and transport, green hydrogen is to also find its way into the building sector via the latter. DWV once again emphasised the justification of hydrogen in the heating market and proposes that it be credited as a decarbonisation option in the Building Energy Act (Gebäudeenergiegesetz ) with a primary energy factor of 0.06. DWV also calls for an H2-ready pathway to the building sector. It would also make sense to make H2-ready heating systems compulsory and to introduce a support programme for their installation. The extent to which hydrogen is supposed to be used at all for heating purposes in the future is still a highly controversial issue between politicians and the players in the energy sector (
energate reported).
Greater support for the transformation of gas grids
According to DWV, the establishment of a European green hydrogen union is essential to cover Germany's future hydrogen demand. The association expects an annual import demand of at least 100 TWh in 2030 and 900 TWh in 2045. "The German government must enter into negotiations with potential EU member states in a timely manner," stated DWV. But also globally, an import strategy for green hydrogen is needed. To this end, not only should the '
H2Global' initiative be further developed, but the corresponding infrastructure is to also be tackled as quickly as possible. This includes the ports as well as the pipeline networks. At this point, politics must 'accompany' the companies more strongly in the transformation of the gas pipelines, commented DWV. For example, it proposes new financing models that do not burden the 'first movers'.
As the last point of its 45-page strategy, DWV addresses the shortage of skilled workers. Here, the association sees potential for improvement in the education and training of hydrogen specialists and calls for more exchange between the federal government, the states and training institutes, especially universities. It is also important to create globally competitive framework conditions, because Germany will be in even stronger international competition for skilled workers in the future. /ml
