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Federal Minister of Economics Altmaier: “We want to become number 1 in the world in hydrogen technologies. To do this, we are pooling our strengths in Europe and initiating massive investments in the future technology hydrogen with the first joint European hydrogen project.

Federal Transport Minister Scheuer: “We are making Germany a hydrogen country.

Investments totaling 33 billion euros are to be triggered, including over 20 billion euros from private investors.

Over the next five years, more than  100 projects worth $68M have been planned by partners including: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER), Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) , Fortescue Metals Group,  Swinburne University, the Victorian Government, the Future Fuels CRC, National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), and the Australian Hydrogen Council, along with collaborators Toyota and Hyundai.

This became visible this very week when John Kerry visited Berlin in order to prepare a joint approach with the Europeans towards the next big climate conference: The former US- Vice-President mentioned green hydrogen continuously at the same level as electrification.

These are the most important results at a glance:

In West Africa alone, a maximum of 165,000 TWh of green hydrogen could be produced annually. For comparison: That corresponds to 110 times the amount of green hydrogen that Germany will probably have to import in 2050.

Of these 165,000 TWh of hydrogen, around 120,000 TWh could be produced annually for less than 2.50 euros per kilogram. For comparison: studies assume that the cost of one kilo of hydrogen in Germany will still be around 3.80 euros in 2050.

Solar energy can be generated most cheaply in the northern regions of West Africa, and wind energy in the southern regions. Because of the low you electricity production costs of solar energy under 2 cents per kWh in the north of West Africa, the costs for the production of green hydrogen are particularly low here. For comparison: The electricity production costs with renewable energies in West Africa are around 30% lower than in Germany.

It is possible to meet West Africa's local energy needs - without significantly reducing the energy requirements for the production of green hydrogen.

Building a green hydrogen-based economy is associated with high social and economic benefits in both urban and rural regions of West Africa. This makes hydrogen technologies interesting for African decision-makers from politics and business - and increases the likelihood of a quick entry into the hydrogen economy.

“If we’re going to subsidise electric, which makes sense to me, we’ve got to subsidise hydrogen as well. I think it’s definitely something that we need for the future, hydrogen for vehicles. Everyone agrees hydrogen is the best option for heavy-duty, it’s a no-brainer, but I think it’s extremely important for light-duty too.”

On when we might see a US hydrogen strategy, Kraus said, “The federal structure in the US makes it unique when compared to other markets, globally. Support for a national hydrogen strategy in the US will look different than it does in Europe and Asia. Think of where the US renewable industries were 20 years ago – with a concerted policy of tax credits and incentives at state and federal levels, wind and solar were able to gain a foothold and really blossom into the sizable and growing industries they are today.

“The path forward for hydrogen will be similar, though it will be able to deliver on some of its benefits in a much shorter time horizon. Marshalling the resources of the US government to bring together experts across agencies to create a national hydrogen strategy could also deliver on this promise sooner by showing commitment to a hydrogen economy for business and investors.”

The port on Tuesday announced it has entered into a nonbinding Memorandum of Understanding with Ares Management Corp. to develop renewable energy infrastructure on port-owned property.

It's there that officials for the nation's third-largest port based on tonnage plan to eventually produce green hydrogen and provide renewable power for its customers and its own use.

“As the Energy Port of the Americas, we are working to find new ways to operationalize our commitment to decarbonization," port CEO Sean Strawbridge said in a statement. "This project not only brings a new type of economic activity to our gateway, but it will directly meet the needs of our current customers, many of whom use hydrogen in their production processes."

Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser, a division of Nel ASA, has entered a collaboration with leading solar company First Solar, Inc., to develop integrated photo voltaic hydrogen power plants. “With our environmentally advantaged, responsibly-produced CadTel technology, we are well-positioned to address the market need for large-scale green hydrogen with the lowest carbon solar electricity available today,” said Mark Widmar, chief executive officer, First Solar. “We are excited to collaborate with Nel, a leader in the production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen from renewable energy sources, to develop integrated PV-hydrogen power plants. As solar energy becomes mainstream, this is an excellent example of how we will power the new alternatives.”

“We are enthusiastic that many sectors of the economy are joining together to advocate for clean hydrogen as a critical pathway to achieve the emission reduction goals we have set for the businesses and groups we lead,” says David Carroll, President and CEO, Gas Technology Institute (GTI), Richard Voorberg, President, Siemens Energy, Inc., Sean McGarvey, President, North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), and Alan Armstrong, President and CEO, The Williams Companies. “Our organizations, as well as several other U.S. businesses, have identified clean hydrogen as essential to meeting our targets, and we are eager to work with President Biden, his administration and Congress to foster clean hydrogen’s growth throughout our economy.”