"The fact that 84 % of the participating market players rate the importance of climate-neutrally produced hydrogen for the future energy supply in Germany as predominantly high and in some cases even very high underlines its extraordinary relevance", says Prof. Dr. Gerald Linke, Chairman of the DVGW Executive Board, summarizing a key finding of the survey.
The H2 market index, developed by Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universität zu Köln (EWI) on behalf of Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V. (DVGW), now provides a structured presentation of the status of development for the hydrogen ramp-up. The index is the result of an online survey of relevant players in the hydrogen industry in Germany and reflects the current perception of market participants. The H2 market index was presented today by the DVGW in a press conference together with the EWI.
Overall assessment of the market ramp-up does not reflect the great importance of H2
In contrast, however, the overall assessment of the market ramp-up is in the middle of the scale with 42 out of 100 points. "That shows: The readiness of the industry is there, but the course must be set so that everything can develop in the direction of H2. Creating a new market of this size and in such a short space of time is an ambitious undertaking, as a large number of stakeholders along the value chain need to be coordinated and new rules and suitable framework conditions need to be created. As the institution for hydrogen infrastructures designated in the Energy Industry Act, the DVGW will make an important contribution to the future of energy in Germany by creating a binding set of hydrogen regulations", Linke continued.
According to the DVGW, political, economic and social interest in hydrogen as an energy source has recently increased significantly. However, according to the H2 market index, the political and regulatory framework is rated as rather low to neutral by the participating players with 41 out of 100 points. 43 % of respondents even believe that it is currently the biggest challenge for the hydrogen market ramp-up and see the regulatory framework as an obstacle to the expansion of infrastructure and production capacities.
Simplified approval procedures and greater investment security: politics as the greatest challenge
According to the DVGW, streamlining and simplifying approval procedures is particularly important in this context, especially for the expansion of infrastructure. In line with its motto of a new German pace, the German government should therefore continue on the right path, such as the rapid approval of LNG terminals, in order to accelerate the hydrogen ramp-up. In this context, it is important to create adequate and predictable investment incentives for infrastructure operators.
It should also be noted that the focus should not only be on technologies with the highest efficiency, such as heat pumps, but also on those that ensure the stability and resilience of the energy system, such as CHP plants (combined heat and power). Technology-open research and development along the entire H2 value chain must be promoted for the best possible technical progress.
(Source: DVGW)
