Around a year ago, the three German associations Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW), Deutsche Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches (DVGW) and Zukunft Gas presented the joint „New Gases“ transformation pathway. They are now drawing an initial positive balance, but are calling for more political support and investment for a sustainable ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in the future.
According to the associations, the decision in favour of an H2 core network and the start of climate protection contracts for industry are „important milestones on the path to climate neutrality“. However, further political support will be essential in the future due to unresolved issues regarding the power plant strategy.
The climate protection agreements from March of this year represent a funding mechanism that „sets clear incentives for the industry“ as they compensate for cost disadvantages and hedge price risks. This increases the predictability of hydrogen sales.
Power plant strategy: still room for improvement
With regard to the power plant strategy, the associations called for further impetus for the precise design and the creation of a „clear framework“, initially for the financing of the required H2-ready gas-fired power plants with a planned capacity of 10 GW.
This should avoid leaving coal-fired power plants on the grid beyond the agreed term in order to secure the electricity supply.
„In addition, both H2-ready gas-fired power plants and H2-ready CHP plants are reliable consumers of hydrogen and therefore crucial for the hydrogen ramp-up“, was one argument.
„The transformation of our gas industry to a hydrogen economy is a marathon, not a sprint. The launch of the H2 core network is a decisive step and sends out a signal of departure. However, we must now ensure that the necessary investments are made and that further political framework conditions are created, particularly for the trading of hydrogen“, explains Dr. Timm Kehler, CEO of Zukunft Gas.
Green gases: creating a political framework for „a resilient transformation and a climate-neutral energy system“
„Our studies show that the new gases can be available in sufficient quantities and at acceptable costs if the political course is set accordingly“, explains Prof. Dr. Gerald Linke, Chairman of the DVGW Executive Board. „The conversion of existing infrastructures to new supply tasks is one of the key challenges here.“
Dr. Kirsten Westphal, Member of the Executive Board of BDEW, also emphasises how necessary it is to work together: „Storage-capable new gases and renewable electricity are needed for the resilient transformation and a climate-neutral energy system. It is therefore all the more important that the construction of flexible H2-ready power plants is incentivised with the announced power plant strategy, but that storage options are also developed.“
In order to boost the H2 economy, the three associations are calling for continuous efforts and close cooperation between the energy sector, industry and politics. They are calling for further dialogue „in order to jointly update the political guidelines and work on sustainable solutions for the transformation path to climate neutrality for society as a whole“.
This must take place in a close communication process between the consumer and customer side – with the clearly defined goal of transforming the gas industry into a hydrogen economy with a view to a resilient energy transition.
(Quelle: BDEW)
