On the first day of the Africa Climate Summit, host country Ethiopia opens the GERD mega dam. With this billion-euro project, Addis Ababa is underlining its claim to a leading role in the green transition.
By Bernhard Pötter
Hydrogen is considered a key element in the global energy transition and is described by many as the "green gold" of the future. Current news and developments relating to hydrogen are an important topic, especially in the European Union and Germany. Here you will find a comprehensive overview of the current situation, funding programs, the importance of hydrogen for the climate and the energy transition as well as the challenges and prospects in Germany. Read the latest hydrogen news from the Table.Briefings editorial team here! Situation in the EU: Promotion and production of hydrogen The European Union has recognized that hydrogen can play a central role in the decarbonization of the energy system. Why is green hydrogen being promoted? The EU Commission is promoting green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources because it causes almost no CO₂ emissions and in order to increase energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This commitment is supported by extensive funding programs aimed at scaling up the production and use of green hydrogen. What funding is available for hydrogen? One of the most important EU funding programs for hydrogen is the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. As part of this deal, considerable funds are being invested in the development of hydrogen technologies and infrastructures, alongside other measures and funding. The EU hydrogen strategy, which was introduced in 2020, provides for a total of 40 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity to be installed for the production of green hydrogen by 2030. EU hydrogen funding also includes support for research and development through programs such as Horizon Europe, which funds hydrogen technology projects. These programs promote the development of efficient and cost-effective technologies for the production, storage and use of hydrogen. Importance of hydrogen for the climate Hydrogen is a key element in the fight against climate change. Is hydrogen climate-friendly? Green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis using renewable energy, causes no CO₂ emissions and can replace fossil fuels in many applications. This makes hydrogen a climate-friendly alternative for many industries and the transportation sector. Hydrogen and the climate: Green hydrogen can help reduce emissions in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize, such as steel production, the chemical industry and heavy-duty transport. Since hydrogen only releases water during combustion, it does not contribute to air pollution and helps to reduce environmental impact, but there are also challenges. The production of green hydrogen is currently still cost-intensive and requires considerable investment in infrastructure. What does hydrogen do in the atmosphere? In addition, when hydrogen escapes into the atmosphere, it can indirectly contribute to global warming by extending the life of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Importance of hydrogen for the energy transition Hydrogen and the energy transition: Hydrogen can serve as a storage medium for renewable energies and thus stabilize the energy supply. It can store surplus energy from wind and solar power plants and be converted back into electricity when needed. This makes hydrogen an important building block for a sustainable energy system. What are the disadvantages of hydrogen? In addition to the high production costs, there are technical challenges, such as the storage and transportation of hydrogen. Hydrogen has a low energy density per volume, which makes it difficult to store and transport. In addition, the infrastructure for transporting hydrogen, including pipelines and filling stations, requires considerable investment. Situation in Germany: Promotion and import of hydrogen Germany plays a leading role in the development and promotion of hydrogen technologies. The German government has taken extensive measures to promote hydrogen as part of its National Hydrogen Strategy. This strategy includes investments in research and development, the development of production capacities and the creation of a suitable infrastructure. Hydrogen promotion in Germany: The German government is making billions of euros available to promote the production and use of green hydrogen. Funding programs such as the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP) support projects for the development and market launch of hydrogen technologies. Where does Germany import hydrogen from? As domestic capacities for the production of green hydrogen are limited, Germany plans to import hydrogen from countries with favorable conditions for renewable energies. Potential partners are countries in North Africa and the Middle East, which have abundant solar and wind resources. International relations and cooperation Who produces hydrogen in Europe? Several European countries are investing heavily in hydrogen production. Norway, the Netherlands and Spain are leading the way in developing green hydrogen production capacity. Companies such as Shell, Total and Siemens Energy are active in this sector and are driving innovative projects forward. EU ban on combustion engines and hydrogen: The EU plans to ban new cars with combustion engines from 2035. This measure is intended to promote electromobility and the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Hydrogen-powered vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles and heavy goods vehicles, could play an important role in achieving these goals. Conclusion and outlook for the future of hydrogen Hydrogen is a decisive factor for the energy transition and the decarbonization of industry. Recent hydrogen news from the EU and Germany show that considerable progress is being made in the promotion and use of green hydrogen. Despite the existing challenges, such as high production costs and technical hurdles, hydrogen offers immense opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stabilize the energy supply. With strong support from funding programs and international cooperation, hydrogen is expected to play a central role in the future of the energy system. The Table.Briefings editorial team reports on how the topic is progressing and has all the hydrogen news, analyses and background information on this topic.
