Hydrogen

Hydrogen

Definition

Types of Hydrogen

Figure 1: see also IKEM (12/20): Wasserstoff - Farbenlehre. Rechtswissenschaftliche und rechtspolitische Kurzstudie

• Hydrogen can be produced in different ways and causes different greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions, energy and resource consumption. Depending on the method of production, a distinction is made between different types of hydrogen, which are shown in Figure 1. The most common types are listed below. 
• Grey hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels. One process is "steam reforming", which is currently used in the industry.  
• Blue hydrogen, like grey hydrogen, is usually produced with fossil energy sources. Here, however, the resulting carbon dioxide (CO₂) is captured and stored underground (Carbon Capture and Storage - CCS). 
• Turquoise hydrogen is produced during the thermal splitting of methane (methane pyrolysis), primarily natural gas. If the solid carbon is permanently bound afterwards, the process is considered CO₂-neutral.
• Green hydrogen is produced exclusively with electricity from renewable sources. Hydrogen electrolysis uses electricity to split water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂). 

Hydrogen use in the chemical industry

• Green hydrogen is a central component for achieving global climate protection goals. The chemical industry today requires 1 million tons of hydrogen, which is mainly covered by grey hydrogen. According to the National Hydrogen Council, the most significant industrial consumers of hydrogen are the steel and chemical industries, whereby hydrogen is mainly used in ammonia production and as an energy source.
• Not every chemical process can be electrified since materials are used not only as energy sources but also as raw materials for production processes. Hydrogen is suitable in these industries because it can be used both as a low-emission energy source and as a raw material. In terms of energy, it can replace the fossil energy sources that predominate the industry. In chemical processes, hydrogen is a necessary co-factor for the conversion of CO₂ into greenhouse-neutral hydrocarbons (green naphtha) or for the production of basic chemicals such as methanol.

Status quo of research

• The introduction of a climate-neutral circular economy requires various technologies and processes, as well as the use of hydrogen and the establishment of a carbon value chain. In the chemical industry in particular, an overall system of material and energy networks has been established over many years. In the transformation of this system, not only can fossil processes and technologies be replaced by renewable ones; ultimately, a functioning system must be re-established.
• To achieve this, there is still much need for research and development. In this context, the National Hydrogen Council in 2022 published an information paper that identifies needs in the areas of process control and optimization (e.g. through the use of waste heat from hydrogen production), storage technologies, materials research (e.g. sealing materials and concepts or the replacement of rare and hazardous materials) or the integration of high-temperature electrolysis into thermal process chains.

Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES)

Fraunhofer IWES secures investments in technological developments through validation, shortens innovation cycles, accelerates certification procedures, and increases planning accuracy by means of innovative measurement methods in the wind energy and hydrogen technology sectors. At present, there are more than 300 scientists and employees as well as more than 100 students employed at the nine sites: Bochum, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Görlitz, Hamburg, Hanover, Leer, Leuna and Oldenburg. Its operating budget in 2021 was €38 million.

Extensive funding policy support has made it possible to set up unique test benches, for example for rotor blades, drive trains and support structures, bearings, and main shafts as well as a measurement infrastructure and laboratories since the institute’s foundation in 2009. In addition, Fraunhofer IWES systematically researches the interaction of wind energy and hydrogen production, reconversion, and grid integration as well as generating extensive synergies.

The test portfolio was developed in close cooperation with leading industrial players, who have also accompanied the development of the test methods and processes right from the design stage. The combination of a globally unique testing infrastructure with methods expertise distinguishes the IWES as a research partner for companies all over the world. Participation in international expert committees makes the institute an active trailblazer for technological developments and quality assurance in the wind industry. 

In the Central German Chemical Triangle, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is paving the way for a new generation of test infrastructure with the commissioning of the Hydrogen Lab Leuna (HLL). Embedded in the supply network of the InfraLeuna chemical park, the HLL boasts five test pads and a technical center plant for electrolyzers up to 5 MW, which are supplied with deionized water, steam, compressed air, nitrogen, hydrogen, and CO₂. The green hydrogen produced is analyzed on site, purified, and fed directly into the 157-km-long H₂ pipeline, from where it is distributed to the industrial sites in the region for use in chemical processes.

In addition to its research activities, the IWES plays the role of an intermediary at the Leuna site. It is involved in the area’s industry, regional politics, and research landscape. Thus, in addition to the project partners, there is close cooperation with networks such as HYPOS and Metropolregion Mitteldeutschland, the National Hydrogen Council, regional colleges and universities. The institute plans to use its expertise and network position to continue to conduct application-oriented research into hydrogen technologies. 

Further Information

• Hydrogen Lab Leuna (Test infrastructure along the hydrogen value chain): Hydrogen Lab Leuna (fraunhofer.de)
• Strategic Research of Hydrogen Technologies in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Status Quo and Applied Research Highlights): Hydrogen Technologies (fraunhofer.de)
• Hydrogen Map OTH Regensburg (Interactive Map with an overview of Hydrogen production potential): Hydrogenmap (wasserstoffatlas.de)

Legislative guidelines

• European Commission (2020): A hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe
• Key Action EU Hydrogen Strategy: Key actions of the EU Hydrogen Strategy (europa.eu)
• The National Hydrogen Strategy of the Federal Government: National Hydrogen Strategy (bmbf.de)
• Hydrogen Strategy of Saxony-Anhalt (German version): Wasserstoffstrategie für Sachsen-Anhalt
• Hydrogen Strategy of Saxony (German version): Wasserstoffstrategie für Sachsen
• National Hydrogen Council (Advisory body to the Federal Government): National Hydrogen Council (wasserstoffrat.de)

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