Our society is facing great challenges. The climate targets for 2030 (Klimaziele 2030) must be achieved without negatively impacting our mobility and Germany as an economic center. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to new battery electric and fuel cell vehicles, existing vehicles must also be considered. For these, renewable synthetic fuels, so-called e-fuels, must be the only option. Only through their use can a ban on the driving of conventional vehicles, which the federal government is considering in light of Klimaziele 2030 and which would mainly affect lower-income citizens, be prevented.
Werner Diwald
Hydrogen – the economic miracle
The production of hydrogen is now recognized as an emerging market right around the globe. Many diverse electrolyzer manufacturers are experiencing unprecedented demand. A great many new players are jumping on the bandwagon and increasing numbers of conventional energy suppliers are pivoting from traditional power sources to renewable energies and embedding hydrogen in their portfolios. So what is the current situation vis-a-vis electrolyzers and what can we expect in the future? This article seeks to shine a light on these and other questions by providing a general – though not necessarily exhaustive – roundup of recent developments.
DWV demands concrete roadmap for economic miracle
On October 26th, 2021, the German national association for hydrogen and fuel cells (Deutsche Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellenverband, DWV) celebrated its 25-year anniversary at the Vertretung Niedersachsen in Berlin and appropriately held a parliamentary evening with numerous prominent participants. A central theme was that DWV has been advocating for a sustainable hydrogen and fuel cell industry since 1996 and now also expects agreement from the new federal government on a detailed, concrete roadmap for the ramp-up of an H2 economy.
Kasten joins DWV’s senior leadership
In April, gas and water industries association DVGW tapped Thorsten Kasten, 52, to co-lead hydrogen and fuel cell organization DWV. By unanimous vote, the DWV executive committee later confirmed the DVGW’s candidate as its new co-chair of the board. Kasten now serves alongside Werner Diwald, who has led the DWV since 2014.
And what about e-fuels?
How important synthetic fuels, also known as e-fuels, will be in a future energy system is a question many are hotly debating these days. The answer, of course, depends on whom you ask and whom they represent. To bring some facts to the table, energy institute ifeu recently conducted a study for German environment agency UBA to determine the amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants emitted by fuels produced through power-to-X.
New management, new direction
The quiet life is over. That much is clear, even to the German hydrogen and fuel cell association DWV. Growing interest in hydrogen and fuel cells has some wanting to turn the organization into a powerful industrial body.
Quo Vadis DWV?
Ever experienced a similar situation? You’ve been following the same principles for years and you always think you’re doing exactly the right thing. But then one day you realize that something doesn’t feel right and you need to ask yourself: Have you strayed from your path or have the circumstances changed?
DWV Celebrates 20th Anniversary in Berlin
1996 was the founding year of the German Hydrogen Association (DWV). After now more than 20 years of actively contributing to the development of the German and European H2 and fuel cell industry and a change in name, the members of the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, their guests and some of the founders met in Berlin, Germany, on July 6, 2016, to celebrate the two-decade anniversary with representatives from politics and business.
DWV to Pave the Way for Green Hydrogen
The parliamentary evening organized each year by the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (DWV) was held at the British embassy in Berlin in mid-November of 2015. More members of parliament than ever showed up to the event dedicated to Green Hydrogen for an Efficient Energy Transformation.