Hydrogen and the Energy Transition: An Issue for Foreign Policy
The IASS and the Federal Foreign Office invited experts from various federal ministries, industry, civil society and science to discuss Germany’s "hydrogen foreign policy".
Hydrogen and hydrogen-based synthetic fuels (so-called e-fuels) are a hot topic in current energy policy debates. On 18 March 2020 the German government will present its National Hydrogen Strategy. Meanwhile, the European Commission is exploring the idea of establishing a European Hydrogen Alliance as part of its industrial strategy for the European Union. Most of Germany's hydrogen needs will be met through imports for the foreseeable future.
Green hydrogen produced using renewable energy technologies could significantly reduce CO2 emissions from the steel and chemical industries, for example. Hydrogen and e-fuels could also make an important contribution to the reduction of emissions from long-distance and heavy-duty transport by air, water, rail and road. In the long term, seasonal electricity storage could also be an important field of application for green hydrogen.
