Dark doldrums in Germany: hydrogen as the rescuer of the energy transition?

Dark doldrums in Germany: hydrogen as the rescuer of the energy transition?

A dense cloud cover and fog Germany have a firm grip on Germany at the beginning of November, and the dark doldrums are back! On the evening of November 6, the proportion of renewable energies in the all -German electricity mix fell to alarming 11.6 percent. Only hydropower and biomass could still deliver green electricity. In this critical phase, in which wind turbines and solar cells fail, the need for large electricity stores is becoming increasingly clear.

The solution could be hydrogen! At the Fuel Cell Conference in Chemnitz, numerous researchers gathered this week to discuss the current state of hydrogen technologies. The idea: In times with excess electricity, hydrogen could be generated in electrolysors and, if necessary, converted back into electricity in fuel cells. But the main problem remains: the technology is often still too expensive! Precious metals such as platinum are extremely valuable and the individual components do not work together optimally. Many concepts are still stuck in the prototype stage.

56 electrolysers for Saxony?

An exciting approach that was discussed at the conference are 56 electrolysers who could supply Saxons with hydrogen across the board. But the challenges are huge. The researchers are faced with the task of reducing costs and increasing efficiency in order to establish hydrogen as a serious solution to the energy future. Time is urged, because without innovative approaches the energy transition will be stalled!