Enhancing networking and marketing of hydrogen expertise in the Ruhr region

Joint Project Office of RVR and BMR Opened

The launch of the joint project office of the two institutions was announced on May 17, 2022, in Essen by Dr. Frank Dudda, Chairman of the Ruhr Parliament (Mayor of Herne), Karola Geiß-Netthöfel, Regional Director of the RVR, and Prof. Julia Frohne, Head of Business Metropole Ruhr (MBR).

In the Ruhr region, in addition to h2-netzwerk-ruhr e.V., the oldest of its kind, there are now several local, regional, or thematically focused networks that deal with hydrogen technologies. The new project office aims to bundle these various strategies, avoid duplication of effort and unnecessary competition, and implement a unified approach for the Ruhr region in promoting the use of hydrogen.

Over forty stakeholders from networks and companies in the Ruhr region accepted the invitation to Zeche Zollverein. In addition to the presentation of the project office, they received insights into Vonovia’s plans regarding h2 deployment in the housing industry, Open Grid Europe’s perspective on the expansion of infrastructure, and Project Management Jülich’s overview of existing funding opportunities for h2 projects and the necessities for expanding funding options.

The interesting evening concluded with a get-together, which most participants gladly used for networking.