GERMANY
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Updated November 2024
In March, the German Federal Cabinet adopted the National Ports Strategy which follows on from the National Ports Strategy of 2015. The document comprises five fields of action and emphasizes the importance of ports in facilitating the energy transition by serving as key hubs for the import of hydrogen and its derivatives.
In May, the process of developing the German National Action Plan for Climate-Friendly Shipping (NAPS) started. The German government is bringing together representatives of the maritime sector including inland navigation, research institutes, industrial and environmental associations, the finance sector as well as public administration on both federal and state levels to develop a wide range of measures supporting the sector on its transformation to zero emissions. The resulting bouquet of measures will be the basis for consultations within the federal government, led by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). The action plan is to include alternative propulsion and energy systems, supply with climate-friendly energy sources, fleet modernization, maritime industrial policy and green shipping corridors. The government intends to finalise the plan in the course of 2025.
In May, the second phase of the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme (H2Uppp) began. The programme supports small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging and developing countries, leveraging innovative German and European technology, to develop hydrogen pilot projects.
In May, the second amendment to the Energy Economy Act (EnWG) came into force, with the intent to support a "rapid and cost-effective" scale-up of the hydrogen market. The law aims at expanding the hydrogen core network into a more interconnected pipeline system, synchronising gas and hydrogen network development planning. The amendment also establishes a framework for financing this core hydrogen network. To avoid high initial tariffs slowing down infrastructure development, an amortization account is introduced for a transitional period.
In October the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) approved – with minor changes – the joint application of German gas transmission system operators to develop a hydrogen core network. The approved network includes a total of 9,040 kilometres of pipelines, around 60% of which are natural gas pipelines that will be converted to hydrogen. The total investment costs are expected to be €18.9bn. Some of the pipelines are designated as Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). The core network pipelines are scheduled to be gradually commissioned between 2025 and 2032.
In July, the German gas transmission system operators published their Draft Scenario Framework for the Gas und Hydrogen Network Development Plan 2025. This scenario forms the basis for the first integrated gas and hydrogen network development plan, with the hydrogen core network marking the start of hydrogen transmission infrastructure development in Germany. The Federal Network Agency held a public consultation on the scenario in September and is currently examining the scenario.
In May, the German Government agreed on the Hydrogen Acceleration Act to create the legal framework for the rapid development and expansion of production, import and storage capacities of hydrogen. The aim is to accelerate the market ramp-up of hydrogen by 2030.
In late of May, Germany, Austria and Italy signed a joint declaration of intent for the development of the southern hydrogen corridor (SoutH2 Corridor). The SoutH2 Corridor is to enable hydrogen imports from North Africa through southern Italy and is then to be connected to important hydrogen demand clusters in Italy, Austria and Germany.
In July, the German Federal Government approved a new strategy under the Power Plant Security Act, which will tender a total of 12.5 GW of power plant capacity along with 500 MW of long-term storage. This strategy focuses primarily on new H2-ready gas power plants and is structured around two main pillars.
In the first pillar, tenders will allocate 5 GW for new H2-ready gas-fired power plants and 2 GW for upgrading existing plants to make them H2-ready. These plants will initially operate on natural gas but are required to transition to hydrogen by the beginning of their eighth year in operation. An additional 500 MW will be designated for hydrogen-only power plants, which will operate on hydrogen from the start, and 500 MW for long-term electricity storage. In the second pillar, an additional 5 GW will be tendered for new gas-fired power plants. The first round of tenders is anticipated in the first half of 2025.
In July, the Federal Emissions Control Act (Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz, BImSchG) was amended with the adoption of the Act on Improving Emissions-Control for Climate Protection. This new law, which came into effect on 9 July 2024, aims to streamline and accelerate approval processes for onshore wind turbines, electrolysers, and industrial plants.
In April, the 37. Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act was amended with the adoption of the delegated acts of the Renewable Energy Directive. It enhances the crediting of hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels towards the greenhouse gas quota for the transport sector. The regulation is expected to significantly incentivize the business case for use of hydrogen within the technology-open quota instrument.
In July, the German Federal Cabinet has adopted the National import strategy for hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives. The import strategy outlines a framework for the necessary imports of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives to Germany. The Federal Government estimates that domestic demand will reach 95 to 130 TWh by 2030, with approximately 50% to 70% expected to be covered by imports. Initial forecasts suggest that demand could increase to 360-500 TWh of hydrogen and around 200 TWh of hydrogen derivatives by2045.
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Updated November 2024
In May, the BMDV announced the launch of the NIP R&D project BALIS 2.0. Federal Minister Dr. Volker Wissing presented the funding certificate for the development of fuel cell drives for regional aircraft with 40 to 80 seats to the consortium during the project kick-off event at Stuttgart Airport. Approximately €9.3 million will be invested between 2024 and 2026 to develop a 350 kW fuel cell module, forming the basis for a powerful megawatt drive system (up to 10 MW).
In June, the BMWK made an announcement for funding for applied energy research as part of the 8th Energy Research Programme. The initiative invites companies, research institutions, universities, and other organisations to submit their applications for funding. The programme encompasses five key missions, one of them dedicated to advancing a sustainable hydrogen economy. The primary objectives include the efficient production of hydrogen and its derivatives using electricity generated from renewable soFapurces, the establishment and enhancement of a robust hydrogen infrastructure, and the transition of industrial processes towards hydrogen-based technologies.
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Updated November 2024
In August, RWE AG commissioned a 14 MW pilot electrolyser in Lingen, Lower Saxony. The facility uses electricity from renewable sources and can produce up to 270 kg of hydrogen per hour. With this pilot plant, RWE AG is gaining experience with two electrolysis technologies that are crucial for future large-scale industrial plants. The first of these large-scale electrolysis plants is already being built in close proximity. As part of the GET H2 Nukleus project, a 100 MW electrolyser is set to be commissioned in 2025, with plans to expand its production capacity to 300 MW by 2027.
In August, the TransHyDE hydrogen lead project has commissioned a pilot hydrogen network (130m) on RWE's premises in Lingen. The project is subjecting five technologies for pipeline operation made in Germany to a globally unique practical test on a new and rededicated hydrogen pipeline.
In August, Uniper's underground hydrogen storage facility in Krummhörn near Emden was commissioned. The salt cavern is to hold up to 500,000 m3 of H2 in a two-year pilot project and will initially hold up to 250 GWh of H2 and be expanded to 600 GWh of H2 by 2030.
In August, Air Liquide inaugurated a 20 MW electrolyser in Oberhausen which is connected to Air Liquide's existing H2 pipeline.
In late September, H-TEC SYSTEMS (renamed: Quest One) opened its Gigahub factory in Hamburg, which will be able to produce 5 GW of PEM stacks per year.
In July, Shell Deutschland GmbH has taken an FID for REFHYNE II, a 100 MW electrolyser using PEM technology, located at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland. Using electricity generated from renewable sources, REFHYNE II is expected to produce up to 44 tons of hydrogen per day. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2027.
In May, gas network operators GRTgaz and Creos Deutschland Wasserstoff GmbH as well as ROGESA Roheisengesellschaft announced the signing of the contract for the joint construction of the first open-access hydrogen transport network ‘mosaHYc’, which will connect France and Germany. The Network is scheduled to become operational in 2027. The construction will cost a total of € 110 million.
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Updated November 2024
The 9th International Workshop on Hydrogen Infrastructure for Transportation took place from September 18-20, 2024, at the University of California, Irvine. Co-organised by the U.S. Department of Energy, Germany’s NOW, Japan’s NEDO, and the European Commission, the event convened key government, industry, and research stakeholders. Participants shared critical insights on the latest developments in hydrogen infrastructure technologies for the transportation sector and discussed best practices for advancing global deployment.
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Updated November 2024
In June Cena Hessen and NOW launched the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Monitor at the International Aerospace Exhibition. The SAF Monitor is an interactive, English-language data visualisation that displays all announced or ongoing projects in the field of SAF production worldwide. The displayed projects can be filtered by various categories: fuel type, production method, production volume, project status. The monitor was funded by the BMDV and the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Regional Development. Future updates and expansions of the monitor are planned to reflect the latest developments and trends.
In August, the first call for the Federal Funding for Industry and Climate Protection programme was launched. Medium-sized companies, in particular, can submit project proposals for decarbonisation (electrification, renewable hydrogen, CCU and CCS) until 30 November 2024. The programme is not restricted to specific sectors. It is set to run until 2030 and has a total volume of around € 3.3 bn, financed by the Climate and Transformation Fund. Further calls will follow annually.
In July, the German Government officially launched the implementation of 23 IPCEI hydrogen projects in Germany. The 23 projects are part of so-called Hy2Infra wave of the IPCEI Hydrogen, which was approved by the EU Commission under state aid law in February 2024. With a 30% co-financing from the participating states, the federal and state governments have allocated a total funding of € 4.6 billion for this purpose.
In May, Federal Minister Habeck and Bremen Senator Vogt presented Arcelor Mittal with a funding decision worth € 1.27 billion for the DRIBE2 project. This enables the start of the fourth major project for the decarbonisation of the German steel industry.
In July, the ammonia results of the first tender round for the import of green hydrogen products under the H2Global programme have been published: Between 2027 and 2033, at least 259,000 tons of green ammonia will be exported to Europe/Germany. The net price (excluding transport and import costs) is 811 €/t of ammonia, which translates to a price of less than 4.50 €/kg of green hydrogen. For this purpose, Hint.co and Fertiglobe signed a contract, valued at up to € 397 million, in August. In addition, in March, a MoU between Germany and Canada was signed to establish a joint H2Global financing window.
With the Technology Platform for Power-to-Liquid Fuels (TPP), the German Aerospace Center (DLR – Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) is building the largest research facility to date for producing electricity-based fuels in Leuna, Saxony-Anhalt. The plant will be used to optimise these fuels and to further develop the technologies and processes for their production on an industrial scale. TPP will have a capacity of 2,500 tonnes per year. Due to its modular design, the facility can be upgraded with additional components and the production capacity increased. The symbolic commencement of construction took place on 1 October 2024. BMDV is providing around 130 million euros in funding for the construction of the facility. Additional funding for the research operation planned from 2028 is also set to be provided.
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Updated November 2024
In July, the standardisation roadmap for hydrogen technologies (’Normungsroadmap Wasserstofftechnologien’) was published. The roadmap developed by DIN, DKE, DVGW, NWB, VDI, VDA and VDMA was funded by the BMWK as part of the energy research programme. It plays a crucial role in addressing the demand for standardised protocols in the development of hydrogen infrastructure.
In July, TÜV Rheinland launched a new hydrogen-ready standard which aims to close safety and confidence gaps in the hydrogen industry by certifying the technical suitability of materials for use of pressurised hydrogen. The standard addresses challenges such as hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion.
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N/A
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Federal Ministries
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development
Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (English)
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
National Organizations
NOW GmbH - Nationale Organisation Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellentechnologie
Networks/Initiatives of Federal States
Baden-Wuerttemberg: Fuel Cell Initiative of Baden Wuerttemberg
Bavaria: WIBA - Coordination Centre of the Bavarian Hydrogen Initiative
Hamburg: hySOLUTIONS Hamburg
NRW: Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Network North-Rhine Westphalia
HyRaMP: European Regions and Municipalities Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Associations
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (DWV)
Projects
Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) in Berlin
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NOW GmbH - Nationale Organisation Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellentechnologie: Annual Report 2018
Archive
NOW Annual Report 2008 (PDF 4.83MB)
National Development Plan (NEP 2.1), April 2007 English (PDF) German (PDF)
National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Programme (NIP), May 2006 English (PDF) German (PDF)
The 5th Energy Research Programme of the Federal Government, July 2005 English (PDF 546KB) | German (PDF 659KB)
Strategy Report on Research Needs in the Field of Hydrogen Energy Technology English (PDF 806KB) | German (PDF 1.78MB)
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Last Updated Nov 2021
German Statement (PDF); 36th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 16 - 17 Nov 2021
German Statement (PDF); 35th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 22 - 25 June 2021
German Statement (PDF); 34th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 1 - 4 December 2020
German Statement (PDF); 32nd Steering Committee Meeting; Seoul, Republic of Korea; 21 - 25 October 2019
German Statement (PDF); 31st Steering Committee Meeting; Vienna, Austria; 9 - 12 April 2019
German Statement (PDF); 30th Steering Committee Meeting; Pretoria, South Africa; 4-7 December 2018
German Statement (PDF); 29th Steering Committee Meeting; Kobe, Japan; 8-11 May 2018
German Statement (PDF); 24th Steering Committee Meeting; Grenoble, France; 1-3 December 2015
German Statement (PDF); 23rd Steering Committee Meeting; Wuhan, China; 27-28 May 2015
German Statement (PDF 2.35MB); 22nd Steering Committee Meeting; Rome, Italy; 2-3 December 2014
German Statement (PDF 1.54MB); 21st Steering Committee Meeting; Oslo, Norway; 19-21 May 2014
German Statement (PDF 1.19MB); 20th Steering Committee Meeting; City of Fukuoka, Japan; 20-21 November 2013
German Statement (PDF 830KB); 19th Steering Committee Meeting; London, United Kingdom; 23-24 May 2013
German Statement (PDF 543KB); 18th Steering Committee Meeting; Seville, Spain; 14 November 2012
German Statement (PDF 985KB); 17th Steering Committee Meeting; Cape Town, South Africa; 3-4 May 2012
German Statement (PDF 1.90MB); 15th Steering Committee Meeting; Vancouver, Canada; May 2011
German Presentation (Reiner) (PDF 3.12); Governmental Programs on E-Mobility; Ulm, Germany; 15 June 2010
German Presentation (Bonhoff) (PDF 3.12); Governmental Programs on E-Mobility; Ulm, Germany; 15 June 2010
German Presentation (PDF 420KB); IPHE Infrastructure Workshop; Sacramento, CA, USA; 25-26 February 2010
German Statement (PDF 4.39MB); ILC/SC Joint Meeting; Washington, DC; 1-3 December 2009
German Statement (PDF 3.76MB); ILC Committee Meeting; Essen, Germany; 19-22 February 2008
German Statement (PDF 471KB); ILC Committee Meeting; Seoul, Korea; 11-14 June 2007
German Statement (PDF 246KB); ILC Meeting; Oxford, England; 30 January - 1 February 2007
German Statement (PDF 397KB); Steering Committee Meeting; Reykjavik, Iceland; 26-27 September 2006
German Statement(PDF 662KB); Steering Committee Meeting; Kyoto, Japan; 14-15 September 2005
German Statement (PDF 923KB); ILC Committee Meeting; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 22 March 2005
German Statement (PDF 263KB); Steering Committee Meeting; Paris, France; 26-28 January 2005
German Statement (PDF 80KB); ILC Meeting; Reisensburg, Germany; 26 February 2004
Ministerial Statement (PDF 94KB); IPHE Inaugural Ministerial Meeting; Washington, D.C.; 20 Nov 2003
Contact: Adam Mutwil | adam.mutwil@bmvi.bund.de
Geert Tjarks | geert.tjarks@now-gmbh.de
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Joss Bracker - Joss.Bracker@bmwk.bund.de