Rhineland-Palatinate: Green hydrogen strongholds discovered for the future!

Rhineland-Palatinate: Green hydrogen strongholds discovered for the future!

The hydrogen economy is becoming increasingly important, especially in Germany, where the promotion of renewable energies and sustainable technologies is at the top of the agenda. A study was recently published in Rhineland-Palatinate that shows that three certain regions are particularly suitable for the production of green hydrogen. This investigation was commissioned by the Rhineland-Palatinate Energy Ministry and created by the management consultancy Accenture.

The three identified regions include the northern area around Mayen-Koblenz-Westerwald, the area around Mainz, Alzey and Worms in Rheinhessen as well as the front Palatinate. Central factors that contribute to the suitability of these areas are the possibility of the “user” production of hydrogen, high demand for energy by the local industry and a well-developed infrastructure with energy, traffic and water paths.

potential for sustainable energy

The study explains that this region has existing hydrogen projects and has one of the largest buyers for hydrogen in the region with the Chemical Group BASF. Unlike gray hydrogen, which is obtained from fossil fuels, the generation of green hydrogen uses electricity from renewable sources, which is of growing relevance in the context of climate protection measures.

The Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of Energy Katrin Eder expressed optimistically about the study. She pointed out that despite the fact that a large part of the future hydrogen requirement is expected to be imported to build up its own production capacity in the country in the interest of security. This should not only lead to more independence from imports, but also promote regional competence in hydrogen technology.

In addition, the Ministry emphasizes that the European Union supports hydrogen ecosystems, which are often referred to as hydrogen valley. These areas serve to coordinate projects along the entire hydrogen value chain. The three regions highlighted in the study have the potential to become such an ecosystem because they can be positioned for future EU funding. In the past few months, targeted information events have taken place in order to draw attention to potential consortia to the opportunity to apply for appropriate funding.