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State continues to focus on hydrogen technologies

Many new paths need to be taken for the energy transition. The North German Living Lab wants to act as a trailblazer in the use of hydrogen as the energy source of the future.

Energy - State continues to focus on hydrogen technologies

Despite the uncertain provision of funding by the federal government, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is sticking to its goal of taking a leading role in hydrogen technologies. "Thanks to our wind and photovoltaic plants, which supply the necessary electricity, and the possibility of using this hydrogen for heat supply or as a fuel, we are ideally positioned," explained Energy Minister Reinhard Meyer at an expert meeting in Schwerin on Friday.

The event took place as part of the North German Real-world Laboratory (NRL) - a joint project that is testing new ways to achieve climate neutrality. Around 50 partners from business, science and politics came together to form this alliance in 2021 in order to provide economic impetus and strengthen northern Germany as an industrial location. In addition to saving energy, the focus is on increasing the use of hydrogen. However, experts repeatedly point out that there are still technological hurdles to overcome for the greater use of hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas, for example.

According to Meyer, three electrolysis projects are to be implemented in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: in the port of Rostock, in Rostock-Laage and near Güstrow. The state and the companies involved are also dependent on money from the federal government. "In the course of the current discussion at federal level about the budget, we need reliable solutions quickly, which will continue to be supported by the federal government. It's about trust and reliability," emphasized the SPD politician. After the Federal Constitutional Court halted the reallocation of unneeded coronavirus funds for energy and climate protection projects, their financing is now in question.

Energy for fertilizer plant and district heating

An electrolyser is to be built in the port of Rostock, for example, which will use green electricity from Baltic Sea wind farms to produce green ammonia for the fertilizer plant there and also supply district heating for apartments in the city. The total investment was estimated at 380 million euros. Hydrogen producer Apex Energy is planning to build another electrolysis system in Rostock-Laage, which will primarily produce hydrogen for feeding into the German gas grid from 2026.

"These projects are a clear signal of our commitment and determination to make Mecklenburg-Vorpommern a pioneer in the use and application of hydrogen technologies," emphasized Meyer and called for the rapid expansion of the hydrogen network. This was the only way to optimally connect the seaports, which would also play a greater role in the import of energy sources in the future.

North German real laboratory

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Source: www.stern.de

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