Day 2 with a focus on European cooperation

On 16 and 17 May 2022, the international conference "Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable European Future" took place in Berlin and also online. Over 150 researchers, industry leaders and representatives from politics and civil society from Europe and around the world met in the German capital to discuss how a sustainable hydrogen economy can succeed. While the first day addressed the topics of research and development around green hydrogen (more on this here), day two focused on European and international cooperation along the entire value chain.

In a panel and three networking sessions, the participants discussed how Europe's energy supply with green hydrogen can be secured through international cooperation. The following focal points of this cooperation were examined in more detail in order to concretise the next joint steps and goals of the EU member states.

Globally networked: Green hydrogen needs partnerships, not dependencies

The first networking session on the topic of "Cooperation in Production" focused on the importance of European and international cooperation, Europe's independence from individual production countries, and the balance to be struck between research into new production technologies and the implementation of existing production projects in Europe. The competitiveness of European technologies and financing were also discussed.

The participants agreed that European and international cooperation and networking are of immense importance. Worldwide, there are countries with a large export potential for green hydrogen on the one hand, and, on the other, countries with a large import demand. Knowing the potentials and requirements precisely and coordinating them is therefore an important step so that Europe can achieve its goals in the production of green hydrogen. Cooperation must be based on a global level playing field that ensures sustainable supply chains for renewable energies and technologies.

Europe must continue to support important production technologies such as electrolysis. However, at the same time, new research approaches and technologies should also receive funding. In order to achieve European production targets and REPowerEU goals, governments would also need to harmonise regulatory frameworks and standards across Europe, as well as support private investment by means of public funding. There are already many project announcements throughout Europe, but still too few final investment commitments.

Europe is currently leading in the technological development of electrolysers. Another conclusion arising from the exchange was that, in order to maintain their competitive advantage, the European manufacturers needed the European countries as a reliable home market.

Everything in overview – from production to distribution

Cooperation in the areas of transport and infrastructure was the topic of the second networking session. The most important aspects discussed here were the importance of the entire green hydrogen value chain, the involvement of international partners, and the cooperation of different sectors to create the necessary infrastructures as quickly as possible.

In order to build a stable infrastructure and thus a stable supply, immediate political decisions are needed at national and European level, the Round Table said, in terms of planning, coordination, as well as reliable funding. In addition, the various sectors in which green hydrogen is to be used – i.e., industry, transport and heat supply – would have to work hand in hand.

All sectors – as well as all EU countries – would have to be involved in the green hydrogen economy, from production to distribution. This is the only way to achieve broad acceptance of this energy transition. Europe should not become a Europe moving at different speeds. All countries would have to build the entire value chain together.

But it is also important to look beyond Europe. The potential for renewable energies to produce green hydrogen in different regions of the world is huge, for example, in North Africa. The EU should strive to create fair and sustainable infrastructures with third countries without becoming involved in new dependencies. The aim is to diversify the hydrogen infrastructure and the energy supply.

The right incentives – successfully stimulating the market

The last networking session initially focused on regulatory and cooperation issues to stimulate the market for green hydrogen. A wide range of possibilities was discussed: the systemic collaboration of both researchers and engineers across the entire value chain; EU-wide certification with proof of origin based on carbon content; the development and introduction of standards and regulations; improved cooperation between the public and private sectors; more (also international) financing projects, national roadmaps and many other things.

Subsequently, the focus was increasingly on market incentives and on building sustainable value chains as self-sustaining business models. The steel industry is the first large-scale user: The industry's goal is to achieve a capacity of 10 million tonnes of "green" crude steel (one third of total steel production in Germany) by 2030. In general, however, many questions still need to be clarified in this context, for example, hydrogen certification including proof of origin.

Another promising field is the so-called hydrogen valleys – especially in Eastern Europe. They could be a transition strategy for coal regions, but would have to offer a clear vision along the entire value chain. Their market potential is not to compete with each other, but to support each other across the entire value chain, for example, with local perspectives, offshore wind farms and on the topic of energy security.

Outlook: how to continue

The conference was a big step in the right direction: The participants from research, politics and business have further strengthened their relationships and identified promising new cooperation opportunities – a good basis for now getting down to the concrete implementation of the next steps. The Federal Government, as well as the existing European partner countries, support these steps with political measures such as the design of further funding measures. In addition, several other countries have already pledged to actively promote the development of a green hydrogen economy. Further exploratory talks are taking place both at EU level and among member states.

On the German side, for example, there will be a DAAD measure on the topic of "Skills and Capacity Development". Another funding call