Strategic dimensions of the Bavarian strategy process

The Hydrogen Center Bavaria (H2.B) brings together industry, science and politics in order to advance the hydrogen economy and especially hydrogen in mobility in Bavaria as quickly as possible and to achieve the use of hydrogen in broad practical application. A strategic approach along a wide range of technological, economic, political and social dimensions is essential for the implementation of new technologies for hydrogen production, storage, logistics and use. One of H2.B’s tasks is therefore to develop a hydrogen strategy for Bavaria – together with players from politics, industry and science.

The H2.B strategy process is based on the following strategic dimensions:

In recent years, research institutions and industry in the State of Bavaria have laid the foundations for being among the pioneers in the field of innovative technologies for the hydrogen economy and hydrogen-based mobility of tomorrow. It is therefore possible to realize business models for future value creation in the field of the hydrogen economy in various sectors. There is a broad field of players reaching from the strong Bavarian automotive and component supplier industry to plant construction, municipal players and agriculture. It is important to identify the decisive technology fields and to bring together the bearers of technological expertise with potential users in industry and municipalities.

To the technological fields of action

The industrialisation of H2 production can only be successful through large-scale demonstration. From the outset, strategy development should therefore be flanked by projects that successfully demonstrate innovative hydrogen technologies in real applications within a short period of time. The demonstration projects will need to demonstrate the potential of innovative hydrogen technologies in the fields of mobility, industry and energy supply and to complement each other. They make it possible to gather empirical data on economic efficiency, operational stability and acceptance and can be transferred to commercial operation after the end of funding. Optimization potentials become apparent especially in real operation environment. These can be specifically addressed by accompanying research activities and lead to a clear competitive advantage for the Bavarian companies and institutions involved.

The development of a sustainable hydrogen economy is not only dependent on technological innovations. The energy policy and regulatory framework conditions play a decisive role. The incentives for sector coupling are currently being artificially levelled out by government-induced price components. Climate-damaging technologies are still too cheap compared to their climate-friendly alternatives. The demonstration of hydrogen applications on a large scale needs to be promoted in customized, coordinated programmes. However, the sooner viable business models for innovative hydrogen technologies become feasible based on the energy policy framework conditions, the less funding will be needed. Cross-sectoral, fair market access opportunities for all CO2-free technologies must therefore have top priority. The strategy process therefore also focuses on the development of proposals for the implementation of favourable regulatory conditions.

H2 infrastructures play a key role in the development of a hydrogen economy and its applications. Only if the implementation of logistics and a filling station infrastructure is foreseeable, the various players will have sufficient certainty regarding possible business models. The development of infrastructure is always accompanied by decisions for specific technologies and standards. Important decisions have to be taken not only for Bavaria, but also at a national and an European level. International developments in the field of logistics infrastructures and standards are also of great importance for future energy partnerships in view of the outstanding significance of hydrogen for global energy logistics in a future climate-neutral world.

Today, Bavaria has excellent conditions for achieving an internationally leading position in the field of innovative technologies for the hydrogen economy and in the field of hydrogen-based mobility. The production of green hydrogen on a large scale, on the other hand, will in all likelihood not take place in Bavaria. Bavaria will thus remain an energy importer even in a world that is climate-neutral. On the one hand, H2.B is coordinating Bavarian players in the strategy process. On the other hand, H2.B will promote the development of national and international partnerships in the context of a future international hydrogen economy in cooperation with the partners in the Hydrogen Alliance. The measures are thus already laying the foundation for a strong position of the Bavarian economy in a climate-neutral industrial society.

H2.B will carry out networking and public relations work with a clear focus on hydrogen. In particular, this means connecting H2-specific expertise in industry, science, associations and municipalities throughout Bavaria and increasing the general perception of the technologies and their prospects in industry and society. For the puropose of including a total system perspective, H2.B cooperates closely with already existing networks and institutions such as Energy Campus Nuremberg (EnCN), Bayern Innovativ GmbH or ENERGIEregion Nuremberg.