Whether it is industry, transport or the heating sector, Germany needs green energy in all domains of life in order to reach its climate goals. Green hydrogen is an urgently needed building block to do so. The slogan “shipping the sunshine” is apt because green hydrogen can be produced in regions with plenty of wind, sunshine and water and then exported to cover energy demand around the world. This will require a worldwide hydrogen grid, which Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger wants to set up.

The implementation of this aim was part of the agenda of the international conference Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable European Future and a reason for the minister’s trip to Australia.

Worldwide energy partnerships

At a press conference in Berlin, Stark-Watzinger pointed out just how important green hydrogen is for Germany: “We have reduced our dependence on energy imports from Russia, but we haven’t cut down to zero yet. We need and want to change that as quickly as possible.” Stark-Watzinger identified climate change as another reason for worldwide energy partnerships, calling it a challenge for humanity. “It is why we must get away from fossil fuels,” she said.

Trailblazer for energy of the future

Diversification of energy supply is a key element in the process of transformation. Stark-Watzinger said the BMBF’s role is to pave the way for the energy of the future. “And I mean energy that is clean, reliable, which makes us independent of individual players and is sourced from countries that share our moral compass,” said the minister. According to Stark-Watzinger, technology born of German research and development will provide the foundation for widespread use of renewable energy. “My ministry spends several billion euros to achieve this.” Key to this endeavour is also a network of European partners and worldwide collaborations on research and supply of green hydrogen.

Shipping green hydrogen to Germany

The research minister announced she would be travelling to Australia to intensify these collaborations. “My vision is that in a few years’ time ships carrying green hydrogen produced with solar and wind energy in Australia will be docking in Germany,” said Stark-Watzinger. Supply chains can bring together relevant strengths. Australia has ideal conditions for green hydrogen production. Germany has the plant engineering expertise that enables this local production in the first place.

Two billion euros for hydrogen research

To make full use of available potential, the BMBF is investing about two billion euros into hydrogen research through project funding over the next four years alone. This involves hydrogen flagship projects in particular which investigate how hydrogen can be produced at sea on offshore wind farms.