Source: Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, April 25, 2022
The Center Hydrogen.Bavaria (H2.B) has published for the first time a roadmap for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in the Free State. In it, the rapidly growing demand for the climate-friendly energy carrier and the necessary hydrogen pipeline infrastructure is calculated.
Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, Hubert Aiwanger, called the hydrogen roadmap an "excellent impetus for the climate-friendly transformation of the economy" at the presentation in Nuremberg. The state minister had founded H2.B three years ago, initiated the Bavarian Hydrogen Strategy 2020 and also successfully campaigned for the national Hydrogen User Center (WTAZ) in Pfeffenhausen (Lower Bavaria).
The hydrogen roadmap was presented by H2.B board members Professor Dr. Veronika Grimm and Professor Dr. Peter Wasserscheid at the Deutsches Museum Nuremberg ("Museum of the Future").
The key points:
- The cumulative annual demand for hydrogen and synthesis products (such as synfuels) in Bavaria could increase from 5 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2020 to about 33 to 75 TWh in 2040.
- In order to be able to cover the rapidly increasing hydrogen demand, Bavaria will already be dependent on the import of hydrogen and H2 derivatives in the medium term.
- A rapid connection of Bavaria to the (inter)national hydrogen pipeline infrastructure is important. Initially, this was not planned until around 2035. Meanwhile, an accelerated connection is required by 2030.
- The necessary electrolysis capacity for the production of hydrogen in Bavaria is strongly dependent on the speed of the connection to the hydrogen pipelines. In the case of a connection by 2030, an annual output of 0.3 to 1.7 gigawatts is required. If the connection does not come until 2035, three to ten gigawatts are required according to the calculations.
- By 2025, at least 300 megawatts of electrolysis capacity should be installed in Bavaria, by 2030 one gigawatt. - By 2025, 500 hydrogen buses are to run in Bavaria's public transport and 500 H2 trucks.
- A widespread establishment of hydrogen refueling stations is targeted by 2025.
- By 2030, a broad use of hydrogen for process heat supply in Bavarian industry is expected.
- In addition, a comprehensive use of hydrogen-based cogeneration plants for decentralized power and heat supply is expected by 2030.
- Scaling the use of H2 in the mobility sector by 2030.
According to the experts, the transformation of global economies towards climate neutrality is associated with great opportunities for the export-oriented Bavarian economy. Current strengths lie in plants for hydrogen production, the manufacture of fittings and connecting elements, and systems for hydrogen logistics. Bavaria is particularly well positioned in the field of electrolysis technology and (chemical) hydrogen storage (LOHC) and conversion. This good position should be further strengthened and expanded.
Professor Dr. Veronika Grimm, co-chair of H2.B, explained, "With the war of aggression on Ukraine, independence from Russian energy sources must be achieved very promptly. This means that the hydrogen economy in Germany will also have to gain importance more quickly. The Hydrogen Roadmap Bavaria shows important milestones, which are rather a lower limit for the necessary speed of the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. It is particularly crucial to connect Bavaria to a resilient hydrogen infrastructure as quickly as possible."
The Hydrogen Roadmap Bavaria "Perspectives and recommendations for action for the ramp-up of the Bavarian hydrogen economy" is available for download on the Internet.