Hydrogen is something like the pop star in the energy transition. In order for Germany to have enough hydrogen in the future, it depends on international alliances, for example with Australia. Kirsten Westphal, an expert in international energy relations, explains the background.
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Germany wants to become climate neutral by 2045. This absolutely includes preventing greenhouse gas emissions. In a country where industry and transport play such a big role as in Germany, it’s not that easy.
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Germany wants to position itself well in the hydrogen market
Hydrogen currently seems to offer the most promising solution to provide enough energy and at the same time not to pollute the climate any more. The federal government is also relying on this gas. A year ago she developed the national hydrogen strategy, now it is one Agreement between Germany and Australia came. Because from there, hydrogen is to be imported to Germany in the future.
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“Germany cannot produce enough hydrogen. When it comes to hydrogen, we will remain an importer.”
Kerstin Westphal, member of the National Hydrogen Council
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Kirsten Westphal, expert on international energy relations at the Science and Politics Foundation and member of the National Hydrogen Council, describes this partnership as exciting. They believe that Australia will become a potentially large exporter of hydrogen. It therefore makes sense for Germany to rely on cooperation from the start. It also makes you less dependent on another important actor: China.
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Because anyone who wants to use hydrogen needs it first. In Germany’s case, these will be “enormous amounts”, says Kerstin Westphal, depending on where hydrogen is used, be it in steel and aluminum production, in shipping and in freight transport.
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According to Kerstin Westphal, cooperations in the economy are “the crux of the matter” for a hydrogen future
Hydrogen is so hyped because it is considered climate neutral. It is made from renewable energies, i.e. solar and wind energy. However, its production is expensive because it does not occur naturally, but is produced industrially, explains Kerstin Westphal. However, if the substance is imported from the other end of the world to Germany, at least a question mark can be placed behind climate neutrality.
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Europe’s important role
Although Kerstin Westphal supports the partnership with Australia, she rather advocates looking to Europe when it comes to hydrogen production. The “Next Generation EU” program had created a good basis. It is also important to keep added value in Europe.
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“In Europe, the aim must be to expand production and supply chains. And that is what we need all our strength to do both in the production of hydrogen and in transport and processing.”
Kerstin Westphal, member of the National Hydrogen Council
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According to Kerstin Westphal’s assessment, the economy plays an even more important role than politics. One example of this is the joint venture between the fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power and the French car company Renault. She thinks it is essential that there will be many collaborations of this kind.
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