Germany is becoming increasingly pragmatic and realistic in the face of its energy crisis, which has been caused by decades of wrong energy policy: the so-called ‘Energiewende‘. With maximum subsidies, it has given Germany maximum prices for energy with maximum supply insecurity.
It is typical German politics that one cannot admit a mistake, let alone correct it, and consequently one prefers to deny the realities than to adapt one’s own ideals. Now, however, a little realism seems to be returning. Renewable energy makes of course sense, but additional, and you need a flexible north-soud grid and storesolution. One major storeage solution for renewable energy is hydrogen.
Air Liquide Germany made a contract with the leading provider of hydrogen fuell cell solutions: GenCell Energy from Petah Tikva (Israel). GenCell Energy signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Air Liquide to expand its market presence in Europe.
The pressrelease explains: “GenCell Energy, (TASE: GNCL), the leading provider of hydrogen and ammonia to power fuel cell solutions, is honored to announce that Air Liquide Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of multinational industrial gases and services leader Air Liquide S.A., and the Company have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to provide a tailored gas supply plan to GenCell’s customers. (…)
Within the framework of the agreement, Air Liquide Deutschland confirms its capability to work with GenCell’s clients to provide satisfactory road freight supply and transport of hydrogen gas to customers’ sites throughout Germany. The agreement will ensure that GenCell’s hydrogen-to-power fuel cell systems incorporate fuel replenishment as per clients’ demands; in parallel Air Liquide agrees to support GenCell customers in complying with relevant hydrogen-related regulatory requirements. (…)
To this end, Air Liquide will produce renewable and low-carbon hydrogen by electrolysis from renewable energies (wind, solar, hydro) or low-carbon sources and by methane or biomethane reforming with CO2 capture and storage. At its Oberhausen site, Air Liquide is currently building “Trailblazer”, a 20 MW electrolyzer, for the production of renewable hydrogen and oxygen. Looking ahead, GenCell customers committed to an accelerated transition to clean energy will be able to purchase renewable and low-carbon hydrogen from Air Liquide.”
“As witnessed by the enormous attention devoted at the recent #COP27 Climate Conference to the expansion of the hydrogen economy that was demonstrated by global and regional policymakers, industry leaders and technology providers, all of whom reinforce the concerns of the environmental activists devoted to achieving sustainable development goals – SDG 7 focused on affordable, clean energy and SDG 13 on climate action – hydrogen is a key and growing driver for decarbonization and the market is seeking experts to help companies transition to hydrogen power,” explains Rami Reshef, CEO GenCell.