Fifth Hydrogen Dialogue – Summit & Expo and General Assembly of the Hydrogen Alliance Bavaria

NUREMBERG – On December 4 and 5, 2024, the HYDROGEN DIALOGUE – Summit & Expo in Nuremberg brought together over 1,200 hydrogen stakeholders from business, academia, and politics, including 17 international delegations and guests from 33 countries. The event’s fifth edition featured an exhibition (Expo) and a conference (Summit), with high-profile lectures and panel discussions highlighting industrial policy opportunities for the German and European hydrogen economy while providing actionable insights for a successful ramp-up. On the first day, the H2.B hosted the annual General Assembly of the Hydrogen Alliance Bavaria, attended by numerous representatives from the Alliance’s more than 370 partners. The HYDROGEN DIALOGUE was organized by NürnbergMesse GmbH under the patronage of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, with the H2.B as a conceptual partner.

The Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Hubert Aiwanger attended the first day, delivering a keynote at both the HYDROGEN DIALOGUE and the General Assembly of the Hydrogen Alliance. During the General Assembly, Minister Aiwanger presented a certificate extending the operations of the H2.B for another five years to the board of directors Prof. Grimm and Prof. Wasserscheid, as well as to the Managing Director of the center Dr. Fabian Pfaffenberger. Expanding networks and the continuation of the Hydrogen Center Bavaria (H2.B) and the Hydrogen Alliance Bavaria, is a cornerstone of the Bavarian Hydrogen Strategy 2.0.

“The H2.B has done outstanding work over the past five years. The team coordinates hydrogen activities and connects key players—both within and beyond Bavaria. The H2.B is a success model admired by many other regions,” stated Minister Aiwanger.

Over the two conference days, Bavarian State Minister for European Affairs and International Relations Eric Beißwenger and Bavarian Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Tobias Gotthardt also participated. Among other activities, they visited the Bavarian Pavilion and the university booth organized by H2.B. The Summit also featured their perspectives alongside hydrogen experts like Prof. Veronika Grimm (Member of the German Council of Economic Experts and Co-Chair of H2.B), Prof. Peter Wasserscheid (Co-Chair H2.B), Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (CEO, Hydrogen Europe), Dr. Claus Kleber (Journalist), Andreas Rimkus (Hydrogen Delegate, SPD), Markus Exenberger (CEO, H2Global Foundation), and Yoshinori Kanehana (Chairman, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.).

Minister Aiwanger remarked: “We can achieve decarbonization without deindustrialization only with a robust hydrogen economy. For its successful scaling, all stakeholders need clear perspectives. Planning and financial security are crucial for fostering investments and innovations. We were early supporters of hydrogen.”

Prof.Veronika  Grimm emphasized: “Building a hydrogen economy is not only crucial for climate goals but also an opportunity to position Germany as a technology leader.”

The program included several side events and specialized presentations on the Innovation and Startup Stage. The H2.B hosted two side events: “Connecting European Hydrogen Hubs: H2 Corridors and Valleys” and the 10th Speed-Pitching Session of the Hydrogen Alliance Bavaria. Another key side event was the European Hydrogen Transport Dialogue, held for the third time during the HYDROGEN DIALOGUE.

Over 40 exhibitors showcased innovative products and technological solutions at the Expo. The Bavarian Pavilion and the adjacent Bavarian Research Pavilion, organized by the H2.B, provided visitors with a comprehensive overview of Bavaria’s hydrogen landscape. Co-exhibitors at the Pavilion included Bayern International, Bavaria Research Alliance (BayFOR) GmbH, Energieagentur Regensburg e.V., Reallabor Burghausen – ChemDelta Bavaria, OTH Regensburg, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, Deggendorf Institute of Technology, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), Technische Hochschule Nürnberg, and the University of Augsburg.

Jasmin Rutka, Event Manager of the HYDROGEN DIALOGUE, concluded:
“The event impressively demonstrated that ideas, pilot projects, and the will to scale up the hydrogen economy are already in place. Our platform has, for the fifth time, successfully connected the right people to accelerate this development collectively.”

Photos:
H2.B: Giulia Iannicelli, Sarah Weinecke, Paula Kopp
Hydrogen Dialogue Summit & Expo/Nürnberg Messe GmbH: Frank Boxler, Thomas Geiger, Sophia Weigand