The electrolysis sector must evolve into a gigawatt industry in order for the climate goals of the federal government to be achieved. The technology is ready for market, and so further development of the electrolysis sector can only be realised with a targeted market ramp-up. A market for the hydrogen that is produced and a suitable policy framework must be created for this purpose.

These are the most important results of a recent study: “Industrialisation of hydrogen electrolysis in Germany” by Fraunhofer ISE, Fraunhofer IPA as well as E4tech. The study was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and coordinated by NOW GmbH National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

Dr. Klaus Bonhoff, Managing Director (Chair) of NOW GmbH:
“With the continuous growth in electricity generation from renewable energies and in the course of drastically reducing CO2 emissions critical to climate policy, hydrogen production via electrolysis is increasing in importance considerably. For Germany alone, a significant strengthening of installed electrolysis capacity is anticipated by the year 2050. Overall the sector must prepare itself for production capacities of up to five gigawatts per year from 2030.”

Today’s electrolysis plants are however, mostly manufactured under factory conditions. The study therefore addresses the question of how the manufacture of electrolysis systems can be achieved on an industrial scale in Germany over the coming years. The recommendations derived from the study are summarised as study results in a final roadmap for relevant actors. Apart from the recommendations mentioned for market ramp-up and policy frameworks, accompanying research and development activities to further reduce costs and to increase service life were also identified.

Free download of the study: “Industrialisation of hydrogen electrolysis in Germany”[PDF, in German only]