Potential analyses performed as part of the BMU's Environmental Technologies Export Initiative are to pave the way for supported demonstration projects.

With its National Hydrogen Strategy, the German government made it clear in June 2020 that it is serious in its intention that green hydrogen should make a decisive contribution to the decarbonisation of the economy. Since then, numerous national and international programmes have been launched to promote the production and use of green hydrogen.

The Environmental Technologies Export Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU – Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit) focuses on the application of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for off-grid power supply. In selected partner countries, projects are aimed at creating the conditions for replacing diesel generators and thus substantially cutting carbon emissions while simultaneously improving the supply of electricity.

In the Philippines, Thailand and Nigeria, the Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK – Auslandshandelskammern) are now starting to analyse the political, technical and economic framework conditions for different areas of application: for “micro-grids” in rural areas in Nigeria, for supplying electricity in the hotel and hospitality sector on Thai islands or as a supplement to solar systems for supplying electricity to industry and commerce in the Philippines. In addition, the Chambers of Commerce Abroad organise events where local stakeholders can exchange information and learn about German technologies and where German suppliers can learn about local markets and the general conditions. Companies and research institutes interested in these events can contact the Chambers for GreenTech project team at DIHK Service GmbH.

AHK Chile has already prepared a potential analysis in cooperation with the Reiner Lemoine Institute and Chilean partners from business and politics. Discussions are currently taking place with the Chilean Ministry of Energy on how to continue the cooperation that has already been initiated with the involvement of German technology suppliers.

The studies are to serve as a basis for future cooperation projects between German companies and research institutions. Funding from the BMU’s Environmental Technologies Export Initiative is available for corresponding projects in the above-mentioned and other countries. Interested companies and research institutes can contact NOW GmbH. Further information can be found on the website of the Environmental Technologies Export Initiative.