08.02.2024
Source: Energy & Management Powernews
The National Hydrogen Council has presented its view on the procurement of gas from abroad.
The National Hydrogen Council has now made its "Statement on the development of the German government's hydrogen import strategy", which was submitted on January 19, available to the public. In it, the committee believes that the conditions are in place for the future successful use of hydrogen in Germany, including through imports from abroad.
The German government assumes that a large proportion of the hydrogen required in Germany, around 50 to 70 percent, will have to be covered by imports from abroad. This is because the capacities for the production of "climate-neutral and competitive hydrogen" are limited in Germany due to solar and wind conditions, as stated on the website of the Federal Ministry of Economics.
The NWR notes that there is still a need for action and supplementation in many areas, such as the acceleration of approval procedures or the standardization and standardization of hydrogen. However, the first key prerequisites for the start of the hydrogen ramp-up have already been created.
At the same time, the import strategy must initially focus on integrating the German hydrogen core network into the European backbone network, including connections to Norway, Eastern Europe, the Balkan region and North Africa. "The NWC emphasizes the importance of German hydrogen policy with regard to transits and Germany's role as a hydrogen hub," says the Council.
Problem of ambition and reality in imports
Thus, "activities in possible export regions for hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives should be strengthened through joint action by the EU states," the statement reads. Last but not least, the EU's Neighborhood Policy "offers a very interesting basis for the early integration of hydrogen import issues."
However, the NWC also identifies the problem of ambition and reality when importing hydrogen from third countries. The NWR sees an area of tension between Germany's high development and climate policy demands on the one hand and "the consequences of such criteria for import availability, import prices and project implementation on the other".
The Council therefore recommends focusing cooperation activities on a selection of countries and regions that are of particular importance for the import of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives "and are of great importance for the required intensity of exchange, cooperation and governance".
The National Hydrogen Council was established by the German government in 2020 and consists of 26 experts from industry, science and civil society who are not part of the public administration. It is tasked with making proposals and recommendations for the implementation of the hydrogen strategy. The committee is chaired by Westnetz CEO Katherina Reiche.
The complete "Statement on the development of the German government's hydrogen import strategy" can be found on the National Hydrogen Council's website.
Author: Stefan Sagmeister
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