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Carbon neutrality can’t be achieved without hydrogen

Carbon neutrality can’t be achieved without hydrogen

Portrait Rainer Baake, © Climate Neutrality Foundation

© Climate Neutrality Foundation

Interview with Rainer Baake, director of the Climate Neutrality Foundation

For years, Rainer Baake was seen as one of the staunchest skeptics of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. During his tenure as state secretary at the German economy and energy ministry (2014 to 2018) and the environment ministry (1998 to 2005) he acquired a reputation for blocking hydrogen schemes – with some projects getting as far as his desk but not much further. However, for the past few months he’s been sending out rather different signals, especially since his appointment as director of the Climate Neutrality Foundation in July 2020. H2-international has taken this opportunity to talk to him about the foundation’s recently published hydrogen study and about his new approach – which, he argues, isn’t really that new. (more…)

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The immensity of hydrogen

The immensity of hydrogen

Porttrait Dirk Müller, © Dirk Müller

“Mr. Dax”, © Dirk Müller

Interview with stock market pundit Dirk Müller

For months now, hydrogen has been dominating the conversation. But far from it being a topic of discussion confined to the energy sector, it’s also a subject on the lips of many stockholders. Internet platforms have been brimming over with posts: a cacophony of news, views, speculation and rumor. And an increasing number of providers are luring potential clients with – sometimes dubious – market studies supposedly offering fresh insider intelligence with the promise of maximum stock returns. One of the best-known stock market experts in Germany is Dirk Müller – otherwise known as Mr. Dax. Many years back he predicted that hydrogen would have a major role to play not just in the energy industry but also on the stock markets. H2-international talked to Müller about his experiences, expectations and share trading strategy. (more…)

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Direct route to green hydrogen

Direct route to green hydrogen

Portrait Christiane Averbeck, © Climate Alliance Germany

© Climate Alliance Germany

Interview with Christiane Averbeck of Climate Alliance Germany

Discussions around Germany’s approach to hydrogen are in full progress. Although several members of the German government regularly emphasize that green hydrogen will benefit the most from public funding, there are also those who want to see blue and turquoise hydrogen playing a key role – with some of those voices coming from Germany’s National Hydrogen Council. Two environmental associations, BUND and Climate Alliance, have now distanced themselves from this view by declaring their opposition to the use of fossil-based hydrogen and natural gas. In this interview, Christiane Averbeck, executive director of Climate Alliance Germany, outlines her objections to the strategy discussed by the hydrogen council this spring. Climate Alliance Germany is made up of around 140 organizations from all sectors of civil society. Averbeck has been a member of the National Hydrogen Council since June 2020. (more…)

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The time to transform the gas networks is now

The time to transform the gas networks is now

Gerald Linke, © DVGW, Tatiana Back Kurda
© DVGW, Tatiana Back Kurda

Interview with Gerald Linke, DVGW chairman

The German gas and water industries association DVGW has for some time been increasing its efforts in relation to hydrogen. In early 2018, it entered into initial negotiations with the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, DWV, with the aim of intensifying the cooperation between the two organizations. At the end of 2020, DWV members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the partnership proposed by the board. What unites these two associations and what could the gas industry look like in the future? Gerald Linke, DVGW chairman, shared his views with H2-international.

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Put it on the agenda

Put it on the agenda

Christoph von Knobelsdorff

Interview with NOW chief executive Kurt-Christoph von Knobelsdorff

As of May 15, 2020, the National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW) has a new chief executive. Formerly Klaus Bonhoff, who has moved to the German transportation ministry, his successor is Kurt-Christoph von Knobelsdorff. Now is the time to take stock and ask what the future holds.

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