Market

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.

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).

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.

The project developer H2Apex and the Danish infrastructure fund Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) have entered into a strategic partnership for a hydrogen project in Lubmin, Germany, supported under the IPCEI program. The first development phase is planned to reach a capacity of 100 MW.

A study published in “nature energy” concludes that without political backing from European countries, green hydrogen from Africa will not be economically competitive by 2030. Only a few locations could become competitive through targeted de-risking.

Asahi Kasei is supplying a 1 MW-class alkaline water electrolyzer to the Central Finland Mobility Foundation. Starting in 2026, the system is expected to produce green hydrogen for mobility applications in Jyväskylä.

Together with Air Liquide, Limak Cement Group has successfully tested the first hydrogen-blended fuel supply for cement production in Ankara, Turkey. H2-international conducted an interview with Erkam Kocakerim, CEO of Limak Cement Global.

Electrolyzer manufacturer H-Tec Systems underwent restructuring at the turn of the year and brought in Markus Weber to join the team as chief financial officer. Up until now, the position had been held by Frank Zimmermann who decided to leave the company of his own accord. CEO Robin von Plettenberg...

Thomas Hüwener will become the new management spokesman for transmission system operator OGE from July 1, 2024. The 52-year-old, who has held various positions at the company since 2001, was appointed by the supervisory board to succeed Jörg Bergmann, who is taking planned retirement after...

This is the unanimous demand of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) and the AquaVentus Förderverein, whose goal is to produce green hydrogen directly at sea using offshore wind energy and transport it to shore via pipeline. Transport via pipelines is described as a cost-effective, fast and environmentally friendly solution.

Ballard Power Systems is supplying 32 fuel cell modules with a total output of 6.4 megawatts to eCap Marine. The modules are intended to power two zero-emission container ships operated by Samskip, which will run between Norway and the Netherlands.

The system provider Cytok, based in Rostock, Germany, has granted the Japanese company GPSS Engineering an exclusive license for its Power-to-Gas technology in Japan and Taiwan. A pilot project for market entry is planned for 2026.

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.

Processes for the production, storage and use of hydrogen scaling, reducing costs and increasing efficiency: The trade fair Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe in Hannover is again proving the progress the hydrogen economy can show.

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).

The industry association Hydrogen Europe has appointed new members to its board. Dr. Sopna Sury of RWE Generation will remain Chair until 2028. The new appointments reflect key sectors of the hydrogen economy.

The German Hydrogen Association (DWV) welcomes the draft bill implementing the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) in the transport sector. At the same time, the association calls for significantly more ambitious quotas for green hydrogen and electricity-based fuels.

At the beginning of May, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron appeared so united in their positions that French media dubbed them "Merzcron." Industry associations from the energy sector believe this renewed Franco-German alignment should be leveraged.