German federal policy embraces “green hydrogen” (GrH2) production and imports as key to fully decarbonizing and de-nuclearizing the country. The GrH2 quest was began under Chancellor Merkel’s last energy minister, Peter Altmaier (CDU), and has been fully adopted under Chancellor Scholz’ energy and economy minister, Robert Habeck (Greens). 

Federal policy speaks of GrH2 as necessary for “hard to decarbonize” industries (e.g., steel, chemicals), for grid-scale storage to backup variable wind and solar, to replace continued coal and natural gas baseload power, and for various transport applications.

The rise of GrH2 policy followed the findings of the 8th Independent Monitors of the Energiewende Group’s finding that it will not be possible to produce sufficient renewable energy on German territory to power the country.  Accordingly, the Monitors advocated importing renewable energy as both electricity from neighboring countries, and green hydrogen from more distant countries where wind and sunshine are optimal.

The State and energy firms are now supporting development of GrH2 production in N. Africa, the Gulf, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Central Europe and, most especially, in Ukraine for export to Germany.  

This GreenH2 policy is controversial across the EU and overseas. Our expert panel will debate: 

·        Is GrH2 production and transport technically-scientifically feasible?

·        What new infrastructure is required?

·        How expensive would it be?

·        How soon could it replace German coal and presently expanding natural-gas generation? 

·        What are its greenhouse characteristics?

·        Will Eastern Europe, Gulf and African projects become “white elephants” once subsidies end?

·        Shouldn’t renewable generation optimally first decarbonize countries where it is produced?

·        What are competing solutions for the weather-induced limitations of renewable-based generation?