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Hydrogen as the key to the energy transition: Germany on track!
Chemnitz discusses hydrogen technologies as the key to the energy transition. Current developments and funding projects at a glance.
Hydrogen as the key to the energy transition: Germany on track!
Hydrogen is at the center of current discussions about future energy production. The oil companies are in the process of exploring hydrogen sources around the world. Serious consideration is being given to how this hydrogen can be used as a potential “game changer” in a future without internal combustion engines. An article from MDR sheds light on these aspects. What is particularly important is that hydrogen is not only relevant for electric vehicles, but can also offer an attractive option for those vehicles that do not want to use batteries.
A recent conference in Shanghai highlighted China's commitment to hydrogen technology. Germany also has big plans in this direction: The federal government is actively pursuing the use of hydrogen and its derivatives. The process in which hydrogen combines with CO₂ to produce liquid fuels is known as “Power-to-X”. This is not just hydrogen, but also fuels such as methanol, ethanol, gasoline or diesel.
Support and opportunities
To support these efforts, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the KfW Bankengruppe have launched a platform to pool funding and financing instruments for “Power-to-X” projects. BMZ describes how this initiative aims to close financing gaps, especially in developing and emerging countries, where such projects often fail due to a lack of capital.
KfW will take over the coordination and, among other things, create financing packages and support the implementation of the projects. The platform focuses on the entire value chain from the generation of green electricity to the production and transport of green hydrogen to its derivatives used in heavy industry, aviation and shipping.
The diversity of hydrogen
Hydrogen technology is an indispensable building block for the energy transition, and not without reason. The Federal Ministry of Economics likes to highlight the advantages of simple storage and flexible transport of energy. Interestingly, hydrogen is divided into different “colors” that vary depending on the production process:
- Grüner Wasserstoff: aus erneuerbarem Strom durch Elektrolyse.
- Grauer Wasserstoff: aus Erdgas mit CO₂-Emissionen.
- Blauer Wasserstoff: grauer Wasserstoff mit CO₂-Abscheidung.
- Türkiser Wasserstoff: Kohlenstoff als Feststoff bei Methanpyrolyse.
- Roter Wasserstoff: aus Atomstrom.
- Oranger Wasserstoff: aus Abfallstoffen.
The production of green hydrogen is also known as power-to-gas and represents a key technology for sector coupling. Various electrolysis techniques are currently available, including alkaline electrolysis, proton exchange membrane electrolysis, anion exchange membrane electrolysis and high-temperature electrolysis.
The path that hydrogen will take is promising and together we can look forward to a future in which renewable energies and hydrogen play a key role in global energy supply. This shows us how important it is to keep a close eye on developments in this sector.