Under the title „From talking to doing: Quo Vadis H2 core grid for the green transformation?“ OGE shed light on the current status of the hydrogen core grid at the Energy Policy Dialogue in Berlin in mid-October. The 13th edition of the event attracted top-class participants, including Dr. Axel Bree from Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz, Dr. Arnd Köfler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann, Dr. Andreas Breuer, Head of Hydrogen at Westenergie AG, Nina Scholz, Country Manager Germany at Equinor and host Dr. Thomas Hüwener, CEO of OGE. Over 100 guests from politics, industry and society accepted the invitation.
Progress and challenges in the hydrogen ramp-up
In his keynote speech, Thomas Hüwener gave a positive interim assessment: „We have achieved a lot in terms of the hydrogen core network and are expecting approval from the Federal Network Agency this month.“
However, despite the progress made, he warned of the remaining challenges. In particular, he reminded politicians that there are still some hurdles to overcome for a successful hydrogen ramp-up. He called for an ‘even stronger commitment from the German government and the EU to blue hydrogen as a transitional solution’ until sufficient green hydrogen is available.
Hüwener went on to emphasise: „Of course, the medium and long-term goal is to only use green hydrogen. However, we now need pragmatic solutions that promote the ramp-up in the short term – also with a view to producing the urgently needed hydrogen.“
Agreement on the need for cooperation
In the subsequent discussion round, the focus was on how to deal with the provisional cancellation of an H2 pipeline from Norway and the developments at thyssenkrupp in Duisburg. All panellists agreed that important hurdles had been overcome throughout Germany. The task now is to join forces and see the hydrogen ramp-up as a joint project involving all stakeholders.
Thomas Hüwener emphasised: „The H2 core network, the import strategy, the H2 Acceleration Act and the funding from H2Infra with 1.5 GW of electrolysis capacity are important. But that's not enough for the H2 ramp-up. It depends on every player in the H2 value chain. The energy sector with politics, authorities, business, industry and society must work together to create the conditions for achieving the climate targets and the green transformation.“
OGE plans further events
The Berlin Energy Policy Dialogue was the second event of its kind this year. The Ruhr Energy Policy Dialogue was held in Essen in the summer. OGE is also planning two more dialogue events for the coming year, which will primarily be aimed at representatives from politics, industry and society.
