Successful conclusion of the “HyBaBo – Hydrogen Bavaria Bohemia” project: The Bohemian-Bavarian project culminated in the event “Regional Hydrogen Perspectives – Results and Outlook” held at the East Bavarian University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden. Hof University of Applied Sciences has also been actively involved in recent years in developing strategies for expanding a regional hydrogen economy.
To kick off the event, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Weber, Vice President for Research and Development, Transfer, and Prof. Dr. Raphael Lechner from OTH Amberg-Weiden welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation for the development of a regional hydrogen economy.
The event focused on the presentation of the regional concept for hydrogen use in Bavaria and Bohemia, which was developed as part of the HyBaBo project. Maximilian Schinhammer from the Institute of Energy Technology and the project team presented key findings. The concept analyzes regional energy potentials, possible scenarios for the ramp-up of hydrogen, as well as legal and strategic framework conditions, and identifies concrete application areas for hydrogen in industry, mobility, and energy supply.
Hydrogen Alliance Bavaria
Tim Lixfeld provided insights into the activities of the Zentrum Wasserstoff.Bayern, introducing the Bavarian Hydrogen Alliance and highlighting the role of collaboration between industry, research, and politics in the market ramp-up of hydrogen technologies.
Speed Pitch Session: Focus on Practical Projects
A special feature of the event was the speed pitch session, in which companies and organizations briefly presented their hydrogen activities. Contributions came from, among others, Sebastian Müllner (Bayern Innovativ), Claus Ammon (H2 MOBILITY Deutschland), Martin Sekura (batch2 engineering GmbH), Manfred Bernhardt (MAX STREICHER Anlagentechnik GmbH & Co. KG), Josef Rupprecht (Bayernwerk), Markus Rösch (HiTES Holding GmbH), Sirag Kartun (DELTA Erneuerbare Energien GmbH), Marco Kellner (UBT Future Energy Lab Wunsiedel), Georg Weig (Chemie Cluster Bayern), and Bertram Bröse (Neustadt a. d. Aisch-Bad Windsheim district). The brief presentations highlighted the wide range of regional initiatives and projects along the hydrogen value chain.
Regional Initiatives and Research Activities
Additional expert presentations complemented the program and provided insights into current initiatives and strategies related to hydrogen in the region. Ludwig Friedl from the Regensburg Energy Agency presented hydrogen activities in the Regensburg/Kelheim region and highlighted the role regional networks can play in establishing a hydrogen economy. Klaus Gruber from the District of Hof presented the RegioStrat project, which focuses on strategic approaches to regional energy and hydrogen planning. Matthias Rösch (District of Neustadt an der Waldnaab) and Lukas Faltenbacher (District of Tirschenreuth) reported on the activities of the North Upper Palatinate Hydrogen Region as well as the work of the Association of Hydrogen Regions. In addition, Dr. Stefan Bayer from Hof University of Applied Sciences and Rudolf Höß from the East Bavarian University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden provided an overview of current hydrogen activities and research projects at the region’s universities.
Innovations for Tomorrow’s Energy Supply
The technical portion of the event concluded with a presentation by Dr.-Ing. Christopher Graf-Kick from Fraunhofer UMSICHT. In his presentation, he introduced innovative approaches to decentralized hydrogen production in combination with biomass as a sustainable carbon source and highlighted the potential this technology offers for a regional and sustainable energy supply.
Hydrogen as a Key Technology of the Future
The event clearly demonstrated that hydrogen, as the energy carrier of the future, plays a vital role in the region’s sustainable transformation. At the same time, it became clear that the successful ramp-up of the hydrogen economy can only succeed through close collaboration between research, industry, politics, and regional stakeholders.
