Fraunhofer ISE has been testing hydrogen feed into the natural gas distribution network in a pilot plant for two years.
Photo: Fraunhofer ISE
While the German government is postponing the adoption of a national hydrogen strategy time and time again, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is presenting: The researchers have now presented a hydrogen roadmap that outlines a path for the introduction and development of the hydrogen economy in the various fields of application. They rely entirely on green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energies - unlike the Federal Ministry of Economics, which also believes that the production of blue hydrogen obtained from natural gas makes sense for a transition phase .
The Fraunhofer position paper shows different paths of the market ramp-up and suggests possible measures for realizing this market development. These include an adjustment of the regulatory framework for taxes, levies and levies on electricity and the promotion of demonstration projects. Internationally uniform regulations and standards on hydrogen should also be created and regulatory barriers for fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen filling stations removed. Last but not least, it is important to invest in research in order to reduce costs and increase the longevity of the technologies.
"From our point of view, the technology basis of the entire value chain exists," says Christopher Hebling, Head of Hydrogen Technologies at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. "Now it is important to set the course in such a way that the scale-up for the implementation of further cost reductions and the accumulation of operating experience succeed."
The Fraunhofer researchers are convinced that water electrolysis is of central industrial political importance in Germany - not only with regard to the generation of the required hydrogen, but also as a flexibility option in the power grid and as a core technology for the international export market. For Germany alone, studies assume that installed capacity will grow to 50 to 80 gigawatts by 2050. In order to achieve this, the performance of the electrolysers installed in Germany must grow immediately by double-digit megawatt values, the researchers demand. By the end of this decade, annual growth in the range of one gigawatt must be achieved.
New international energy partnerships
In their roadmap, the Fraunhofer researchers also make it clear that close international cooperation is essential for the development of a hydrogen economy. Production on an industrial scale could arise above all where the cost of electricity from photovoltaic and wind power plants is less than 3 cents per kilowatt hour and the number of full load hours is at least 4,000 per year. This would make it possible to produce hydrogen and synthesis products based on it at internationally competitive costs. Similar to LNG, hydrogen could be shipped in liquid form to Germany and other importing countries. Alternatively, it could also be transported in chemically bound form, such as ammonia, methanol or LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers).
"Many regions in the world are preparing for this form of trading in sustainably produced energy sources and basic chemicals, which will enable Germany to have further energy partnerships beyond the previous fossil energy partnerships," says Mario Ragwitz, head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy IEG.
The expected global hydrogen demand opens up attractive export opportunities for German industry - another argument for the development of a strong home market. The Fraunhofer researchers expect that 2050 electrolysis capacities of 3000 gigawatts will be installed worldwide. The scientists estimate the possible added value for German manufacturers in electrolysis and fuel cells at around 32 billion euros.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, with the participation of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems, were in charge of the hydrogen roadmap IKTS.
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This article originally appeared on pv-magazine-germany.com and has been republished with permission by pv magazine (www.pv-magazine.com and www.pv-magazine-germany.com.
