How can hydrogen drive the industrial transformation in Bavaria and the Czech Republic? This question was the focus of the specialist event “Hydrogen in Industry”, which was attended by representatives from business, research and infrastructure at Porzellanikon Selb. Experts presented current projects and future concepts that show that Cross-border cooperation is becoming increasingly important for the development of an efficient hydrogen economy.
Dr. Stefan Bayer from the Institute for Hydrogen and Energy Technology at Hof University of Applied Sciences began by emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation for a sustainable energy supply. However, he added:
Hydrogen remains a central key to a sustainable energy future – but we are at a point where pilot projects must finally become viable applications.”
Dr. Stefan Bayer
The political situation for this is currently comparatively stable and therefore offers a certain degree of planning security. In order to translate the large number of research and pilot projects into concrete, economically viable applications, the region must remain consistently focused on the topic in order to benefit from the current momentum. Overall, the key question remains whether the hydrogen system can be economically viable on its own in the long term or whether Europe will have to provide substantial funding on a permanent basis to support this development path.
Best practice from Upper Franconia: green hydrogen from Wunsiedel
Benjamin Fojer (Rießner-Gase GmbH) presented a concrete example of successful regional value creation: The Wunsiedel hydrogen project produces around 1,350 tons of green hydrogen per year with an 8.75 MW electrolysis plant. The plant is considered a showcase project for decentralized production and supply.
Safety, regulation and infrastructure: prerequisites for market ramp-up
Stefan Brandner (TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH) then gave an insight into the legal requirements for hydrogen filling stations in accordance with BetrSichV. The focus was particularly on safety standards and approval processes. Ingmar Jäschke (Ferngas Netzgesellschaft mbH) then explained the planning status of the German hydrogen core network. This is intended to connect industrial centers and, in the future, be linked to European pipeline structures.
Innovative storage and supply solutions for industry
Matthias Rudloff (AMBARtec AG) dealt with new concepts for the decentralized supply of energy-intensive companies. He presented a storage system based on iron oxide that works at low pressure and is intended to offer a cost-effective, safe alternative to conventional storage technologies. Reiner Herold (MSR-Innovations GmbH) also presented a practical transformation approach: the combined use of photovoltaics, battery storage, electrolysis and fuel cells could enable almost energy self-sufficient production.
Companies as players in the transformation
Manfred Bernhard (Max Streicher GmbH & Co. KG) explained the technical and organizational steps that companies need to take when getting started with hydrogen technologies. Markus Rösch (HiTES Holding GmbH) also presented innovative processes for hydrogen production from biomass and highlighted their long-term potential.
Looking across the border: hydrogen strategies in the Czech Republic
One focus of the event was on the development of hydrogen infrastructure in the Czech Republic. Ivo Komorous (NET4GAS, s.r.o.) presented the concept of the “Czech Hydrogen Backbone”, which will connect central industrial locations via new pipelines in the future. Martin Růžička (ORLEN Unipetrol) highlighted the opportunities and challenges of RFNBO hydrogen production under the title “Opportunities and limitations of RFNBO Hydrogen production and utilization in the Czech Republic”. Both presentations made it clear that regulatory framework conditions, investment security and international coordination are key success factors.
Intensive exchange on specific applications
In the discussions that followed, it became clear that interest in practical solutions for production, storage, transportation and use continues to grow – and that the dialogue between Bavaria and the Czech Republic can make a decisive contribution to the common hydrogen future.
