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© Referenzfabrik.H2@Fraunhofer IWU
Sustainable energy supply based on hydrogen

Microgrids for South Africa, Namibia, Ukraine

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In emerging and developing countries, but also in crisis areas, there are many opportunities to use hydrogen to overcome energy poverty and establish a reliable, CO2-neutral power supply. In this context, hydrogen-based microgrids have a decisive role to play. In this form, hydrogen-producing electrolyzers, cylinder racks for hydrogen storage and fuel cell systems for reconversion into electricity can be accommodated in the space of a shipping container. Together, they help to conserve renewable energy for later use.

© Linde plc
It can still take many years until profitability

Next dry spell for hydrogen shares?

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Politicians have big plans, and to reduce harmful greenhouse gases, they’re putting billions into the expansion of production and pipeline networks for "green" hydrogen. One of the ambitious targets is to increase its share of total energy consumption in the EU to over 20 percent by 2050 if possible. In Germany alone, they want to invest around 19 billion euros in the planned H2 core network, which is to increase to over 9,000 kilometers across all German states by 2032. With these pipelines, hydrogen should then flow from the northern German ports to storage facilities or power plants. In the final expansion – around 60 percent of the network will be former natural gas pipes – the feed-in capacity is to be over 100 gigawatts, according to the German network agency (Bundesnetzagentur).

© Honeywell
Interview with Bryan Glover, CTO of Honeywell

From CO2 capture to LOHC technology

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After more than 50 years of experience with hydrogen, Honeywell is also banking on green hydrogen with its company Energy and Sustainability Solutions (ESS). The US conglomerate takes the entire value chain into account: from more efficient PEM electrolysis all the way to transport infrastructure.

International

Industry Leaders

Companies

© Federal Network Agency
H₂ hubs as the key to sustainable and efficient hydrogen mobility

NOW study on hydrogen distribution

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The transport transition is a central component of the German climate protection strategy. As part of this, hydrogen is seen as a key energy source, especially for heavy-duty goods vehicles. But how can hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) be supplied with hydrogen efficiently, sustainably and economically? A joint study by the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW GmbH) and the German Energy Agency (dena) examines four supply options via a future H₂ pipeline network. In the study, H₂ hubs that act as connecting elements between the emerging H₂ network and the HRSs are of particular importance.

© N. H. Petersen
Everything combined in one unit

Infener wants to supply entire neighborhoods with self-sufficient energy

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The Swiss company Infener wants to promote hydrogen throughout Europe. Decentralized H2 hubs will be used to generate green electricity as well as green heat. The Ecore One is a compact containerized solution that combines various energy technologies in one unit: electrolyzer, fuel cell and battery as well as compressor and a heat pump with its own energy management system or EMS. H2 production is due to start 2027 at a site in the Black Forest, Germany. However, the needs of regional industry are already far greater today.

© Quest One

Meister now leads Quest One

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In the electrolyzer sector, not only Enapter needed to bury its production plans in Saerbeck last year (see H2-international Jan. 2025). Quest One is also struggling and announced the dismissal of 120 employees in February 2025. Quest One had just, with a lot of pomp, opened the production hall in northern Hamburg last autumn (see H2-international Jan. 2025), but now has initiated a "program to strengthen the company's competitiveness" for the north.

Events

© Herbert Grab
Editorial

The smarter E Europe: Meet our experts!

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At The smarter E Europe trade fair in Munich this June, the full spectrum of the energy transition will be on display—including many hydrogen industry exhibitors. HZwei will be present at the Gentner Energy Media booth, featuring two live expert interviews.

© STEP
Interview with Benjamin Low, STEP founder

More sustainability in the exhibition sector

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Trade shows are short-lived affairs involving a lot of effort and energy for just a few hours in the spotlight, not to mention a heap of materials that need subsequent disposal. This extravagance often sits awkwardly alongside the focal areas of the events themselves, particularly when sustainable themes like renewable energy and hydrogen are on the agenda and the emphasis is on resource conservation not consumption. Keen to highlight – and where possible redress – this incongruity, Benjamin Low has taken action by founding the Sustainable Trade Events Partnership (STEP).

Industrial trade fair with H2 focus

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The trade fair company Deutsche Messe AG appears confident that in 2022 it will be holding an in-person Hannover Messe once again. The organization made clear already in fall 2021 that hydrogen will play a central role in the industrial trade show of 2022, taking place April 25th to 29th. Deutsche Messe together with Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe is holding a networking event centered around hydrogen (see photo) in November at the Landesvertretung Niedersachsen in Berlin. It will be followed soon after by the traditional press conference, this time with Ove Petersen, CEO of GP Joule, which explicitly indicates the future importance of hydrogen.

Associations

News on the H2 regulations by the DVGW

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The tasks of grid operators include, on the one hand, the safety-oriented design of the gas infrastructure and, on the other hand, guaranteeing the proper functioning and operational reliability of the gas networks over their lifetime of use. Network operators ensure this by adhering to the requirements in the technical regulations of the DVGW, the German association for gas and water standards (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V.), for all gases in accordance with reference sheet (Arbeitsblatt) G 260. Which now also includes hydrogen. With the publishing of the new Energiewirtschaftsgesetz (German energy industry law, EnWG) in August 2021, the DVGW also became responsible for establishing the technical rules and requirements for the supply of hydrogen by pipeline to the general public. On the one hand, this is a leap of trust in the expertise of the gas industry and, on the other, an impetus to further develop the regulatory framework especially for hydrogen.

© DVGW

Wilhelm moves to the DVGW

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Since April 2022, the former head of communications at the German national organization for hydrogen and fuel cells (Nationale Organisation Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellentechnologie GmbH, NOW) has been working at the German association for gas and water standards (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V., DVGW). Tilman Wilhelm, who had been responsible for the public image of NOW since 2008, henceforth works as head of regulatory policy, press and public relations at the trade association. Dr. Gerald Linke, managing director of the DVGW, said, “With Tilman Wilhelm, a proven hydrogen and mobility expert with excellent political connections in Berlin and on the EU level is taking over responsibility for communications at the DVGW.”