Vision

The energy transition is inconceivable without hydrogen. As the share of electricity from wind and solar power in the energy mix increases, the storage of large amounts of energy becomes increasingly necessary; hydrogen is ideally suited for this purpose. It is produced from water using electricity via electrolysis, then contains the majority of the energy supplied and can be used in a variety of ways – whether in mobility, for energy supply, or as a raw material; whether in pure form, after injection into the natural gas grid, or for the conversion of CO2 into methane or liquid fuels. It is even being discussed as a reducing agent for steel production.

Secure and efficient energy supply

Similar to natural gas, hydrogen can be stored without loss and transported in pipelines with low energy expenditure and space requirements. This allows metropolitan areas to be supplied securely and efficiently with large quantities of renewable energy. Road transport is also common, and the capacity per vehicle has increased enormously in recent years. With this flexibility, hydrogen is THE medium for sector coupling.

Hydrogen as a fuel

Above all, it is the fuel for fuel cell electric vehicles, whose energy requirement is much lower than that of vehicles with internal combustion engines – in some cases less than half as high. Fuel cell vehicles are emission-free and allow for short refueling times paired with long ranges. With the flexible use of electricity from wind and sun for hydrogen production, they enable completely renewable mobility with a high degree of freedom for the user – and not just on the road: there are also developments for rail transport, inland shipping, short-haul air traffic, and warehouse logistics. Furthermore, the use of hydrogen reformed from natural gas or generated as a byproduct of chemical processes already has a climate protection effect.

Increasing distribution

The technologies associated with hydrogen production and use, such as electrolysis and fuel cells, are characterized by increasing efficiency, decreasing costs, moderate raw material requirements, simple construction, and low-noise operation. Fuel cells are also becoming increasingly common in uninterruptible and off-grid power supplies (UPS) as well as in decentralized combined heat and power (CHP) – including here in our region.

Economy and jobs

Based on its industrial experience, the Ruhr Metropolis already possesses a high level of expertise in hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Several local institutes and companies are involved in research and development. We will strengthen and further develop these approaches to establish the Ruhr Metropolis as a leading region in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, as this technology will increasingly generate value in the coming decades. It will create and maintain jobs, and the Ruhr Metropolis should benefit from this.