The majority of Germans have great confidence in hydrogen technology: According to a representative survey commissioned by E.ON, almost 67 percent of Germans can already imagine using hydrogen for heating if this does not produce any CO2.
Three-quarters of those questioned are aware that hydrogen can help with the storage of renewable energy in particular.
Network supplying gas
The exemption from the EEG levy decided confirms the path taken so far to convert the gas network for operation with hydrogen. Specifically, E.ON is driving the conversion of its own gas networks for the hydrogen economy.
In order to supply customers with carbon-free heat in the future, E.ON is already running pilot projects in a network supplying gas with a hydrogen concentration of 20 percent. As part of the ‘H2HoWi’ project in Holzwickede, a public pipeline is even being converted for pure hydrogen. With these projects, E.ON aims to position itself as an innovation leader in the hydrogen economy. E.ON’s gas distribution network should be ‘H2-ready’ by the year 2030.
Successful energy transition
Hydrogen and ‘green gases’ in general are important components of a successful energy transition
Hydrogen and ‘green gases’ in general are important components of a successful energy transition. The EEG levy exemption agreed in today’s cabinet meeting, which applies to power for green hydrogen, is therefore an important step in the right direction.
Thomas König, member of the E.ON Board of Management with responsibility for energy networks, had this to say: “We welcome the EEG levy exemption on the production of power for green hydrogen. This will help to improve the profitability of hydrogen projects and lay the foundations for the development of a national hydrogen economy. To ensure this regulation can be applied in practice, the framework conditions for green hydrogen must be set out swiftly.”
National hydrogen strategy
In order for hydrogen and green gases to hold their own in the market in the future, the political framework will need to be adapted further. To stimulate demand and achieve a reliable reduction in emissions from gas installations, a green gas quota is a logical step.
The survey results also show that the German people are open to using hydrogen as a means of heating, and indeed the heating sector must be an integral part of the national hydrogen strategy, primarily because it offers great potential for cutting emissions for the second phase of the energy turnaround that is just beginning.
