Time for change
By 2050, the state of Berlin has set itself the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 95% compared to 1990. Together with the city’s major utilities and municipal companies, H2Berlin is working to make hydrogen a technically, economically and socially viable energy carrier. Opening up and thus coupling the existing structures for hydrogen could bring the city closer to its goals.
Making the change in energy policy socially compatible
Households, trade, commerce and services are the main sources of CO2 emissions, accounting for 2/3.
As a capital and metropolis with 3.8 million inhabitants, Berlin places special demands on the requirement of renewable energies: any availability at any time at any place. We are working to make the energy transition socially acceptable.
With hydrogen as an energy carrier, there would be a timely, cost-optimal and environmentally compatible solution. The use of hydrogen in the city’s well-developed gas and district heating networks could, for example, supply Berlin’s households with renewable energy: without costly renovations, without relocations, without higher rents.
Polluter balance by sector in percent (2017)
- Traffic
- Households, GHD
- Industry
Potentials as goals
Berlin has the potential to become a pioneer in the sustainable use of hydrogen. For example, household waste could be used to produce green hydrogen. Hydrogen can also transport energy and offers a possible solution to the storage problem of renewable energy.
Our hydrogen agenda is to produce green hydrogen from Berlin’s capital, use it as an energy carrier for the city’s needs and distribute it. As early as 2025, Berlin’s hydrogen demand will be 9,000 tonnes for reasons of cost efficiency. Three H2Berlin hubs are to act as nuclei to introduce hydrogen as an energy carrier throughout the city. A potential for new jobs, a potential to make Berlin even more attractive as a business location.
H2Berlin partners
Founders
Board of directors
Dr. Jörg Buisset, President of the Board, Sustainable Hydrogen | Eva Exner, Vice-President of the Board, Berliner Wasserbetriebe | Martin Debusmann, Treasurer, Vattenfall | Wolfgang Wüllhorst, BSR| Dr. Gitta Vischer, Gasag
Members
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Supporting organisations
BAM, BDEW, Berlin Partner, DWV, H2 Süd, HYCologne, IKEM, InfraLab Berlin, VKU Landesgruppe Berlin Brandenburg
Co-operating research institutions
TUBerlin, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (ISE), Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (FHI), Helmholtz Gesellschaft Berlin
Berliner Energie und Wärme
Berliner Energie und Wärme sees the future use of hydrogen instead of natural gas in the generation of electricity and heat as an important lever for decarbonising the heating market. We want to help shape the hydrogen economy in Berlin from the very beginning and therefore support H2Berlin e.V. as an important player and mouthpiece multiplier for hydrogen in Berlin. In addition, we offer an incentive for hydrogen production with the purchase potential of sustainable generation plants and will thus promote the emergence and growth of a green hydrogen economy in the metropolitan region.
Berlin Energie und Netzholding
BEN Berlin Energie und Netzholding GmbH is a municipal company specialising in energy supply and grid management in Berlin. It assumes responsibility for the operation and development of the electricity and gas grids and ensures a reliable energy supply.
The company also promotes sustainable energy concepts and innovative technologies in order to drive forward the energy transition in the capital. BEN contributes to Berlin’s sustainable development through efficient infrastructure projects and customer orientation.
Berliner Immobilien Management
As a member of the H2Berlin network, we would like to gain expertise and transfer knowledge on the possible applications of hydrogen-powered systems in the building sector. We offer our support for the initiation of possible pilot projects in state-owned properties and participation in the development of a hydrogen strategy for these.
Deutz AG
Deutz AG is competent and interested in the use of hydrogen in off-road applications (e.g. construction site vehicles). Deutz AG specialises in the H2 combustion engine, which does not require as pure hydrogen as the fuel cell and can therefore be used more universally. Berlin, with its scalability, offers the opportunity to develop this competence and to realise it together with the partners of H2Berlin.
Drees & Sommer
Drees & Sommer is an international consulting company for the construction and property sector with headquarters in Germany. The company’s main services are development and process consulting, infrastructure consulting, project management and engineering as well as property consulting. Building construction and infrastructure projects of all types and sizes are supported for almost all sectors, from the initial idea through planning and realisation to operation and possible revitalisation.
Elpro
Enertrag
Enertrag is committed to hydrogen in mobility. The Heidekrautbahn, which runs on green hydrogen, is an example of the decarbonisation of mainstream transport with hydrogen. Enertrag is looking forward to realising further hydrogen projects in mobility with the partners of H2Berlin. The necessary production of green hydrogen could take place in the metropolitan area with the help of Enertrag.
EWE Gasspeicher
As a leading provider, EWE GASSPEICHER develops and operates innovative solutions for the safe and efficient storage of natural gas and hydrogen. With many years of experience and state-of-the-art technology, we are making a decisive contribution to the energy supply of the future.
H2 Mobility
H2 MOBILITY plans, builds and operates hydrogen filling stations in Germany and shows with more than 90 filling stations that H2 works in mobility & transport. Together with the partners of H2Berlin, we will show that H2 also works and is needed in Berlin.
H2Plas GmbH
On the basis of microwave plasma analysis, we are able to decarbonise parts of the heating sector and to provide hydrogen at inner-city supply hubs by means of on-site production, e.g. for bus fleets, refuse collection and supply vehicles. Together with our 100 % parent company, Dr. Ryll GmbH, we have a proven centre of expertise in all aspects of hydrogen, especially in the area of quality measurement in the laboratory and with a mobile laboratory on site. In addition, we plan, develop and install measuring systems for quality monitoring for hydrogen at production sites.
H2Site
H2SITE develops patented membrane reactors coated with palladium alloys. These reactors can both produce hydrogen and separate it from various sources such as ammonia, methanol or syngas with at least 2% hydrogen concentration. H2SITE uses this technology to provide high purity hydrogen on site and efficiently utilise existing infrastructure. The company has received investments to expand its projects in Europe, such as hydrogen refuelling stations.
Enabling Hydrogen Transportation for a Sustainable Future | H2SITE
H2WS Energy
The focus is on wind energy as a strong resource on the coast and on the promotion of cost-effective solar energy. Looking to the future, we are also driving forward the first hydrogen projects in order to establish Namibia as an energy hub in the long term.
In close cooperation with NAM-Power and the ministries, we are developing affordable energy for the people and Namibia’s growing industry.
H₂WS Energy Namibia | renewable energy for the future of Namibia
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MAN Energy Solutions
Neue Energien Premnitz
The goal is to build large-scale industrial waste-to-hydrogen plants. A first site in Premnitz, Brandenburg is already being planned. The amount of waste in Berlin is not a burden but an asset. For metropolises like Berlin, the production of the climate-friendly energy carrier hydrogen from waste is of central importance, as the land available for the production of renewable energy is limited and insufficient. Together with H2Berlin and its partners, we want to tap this potential for the capital.
ONTRAS
ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH is a leading company in the field of gas transport in Germany. Founded in 2003, ONTRAS operates an extensive gas pipeline network that connects different regions of Germany and provides access to international gas sources.
The company focuses on the safe and reliable transport of natural gas and is committed to the integration of renewable energy into the gas network. Through innovative solutions and sustainable practices, ONTRAS plays an important role in the energy transition and the development of a sustainable
REMONDIS
REMONDIS sees itself and its fleet of lorries in Berlin primarily as a consumer of hydrogen within the framework of a transport revolution. As a group of companies and an operator of, for example, sewage treatment, fermentation or recycling plants throughout Germany, we are also very interested in helping to shape the market ramp-up of hydrogen and would be happy to act as a project partner and share our experiences.
Siemens Energy
Silica
Silica is a traditional Berlin company and hydrogen plant manufacturer with first delivery in 1941. In the context of the development of hydrogen show cases/light towers with the partners of H2Berlin, Silica offers its expertise for the development (engineering) of the required H2 plants.
TEAL Mobility
TEAL Mobility is a joint venture from Total Energies and Air Liquide
TEAL Mobility | Europe’s #1 hydrogen station network for trucks
Toyota Motor Europe
Toyota Motor Europe (TME) is the European subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, responsible for sales, marketing strategies and product development in Europe. TME is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and coordinates activities in various European markets.
The company focuses on sustainable mobility, innovation and high quality standards and promotes the introduction of environmentally friendly vehicle technologies, including hybrid and hydrogen drives. TME is also actively involved in social and environmental initiatives to promote a sustainable future in the automotive industry.
TÜV Rheinland
TÜV Rheinland is a globally active technical services company. Within the framework of its hydrogen competence centre, TÜV Rheinland bundles testing services in the following areas
- Accompanying approval procedures
- Production of hydrogen production, transport and consumption plants
- Commissioning and operation of hydrogen plants
- Certification of “green hydrogen
- Damage analysis of hydrogen plants
- Qualification, further training and exchange of experience
Viessmann AG
Hydrogen is an important component of future energy concepts on the way to decarbonisation. We bring our commitment to H2-Berlin to create living spaces for future generations.
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Energy generation through hydrogen
Reducing CO2 emissions by 2050
H2Berlin has specific goals for reducing CO2 emissions by 2050. These include
- commercial vehicles and buses being powered and households supplied using the circular waste-to-hydrogen process
- Emission-neutral heavy-duty transport to the capital with hydrogen drives
- changing shipping on Berlin’s waterways to hydrogen
- using hydrogen electricity generators for all construction sites, Christmas markets or open-air events
Three hydrogen hubs could be derived from a study conducted by H2Berlin, which are intended to act as nuclei for a city-wide introduction of hydrogen as an energy carrier and which now need to be evaluated in more detail.
Reuter / Ruhleben energy site (2 power plants, waste incineration, sewage treatment plant), BMW motorbike production plants, Siemensstadt 2.0, Urban Tech Republic Tegel, Berlin harbour. The hub results from:
Hydrogen from electrolysis at the Reuter power plant site
Hydrogen refuelling station for commercial vehicles, trucks, public transport, ships, port logistics
Supply of industrial processes
By-product hydrogen for ozonisation in the sewage treatment plant
Hydrogen from waste utilisation
Combined heat and power generation for electricity and district heating
Grid services
Combined heat and power plants (CHP)
Marzahn is being used as a nucleus for introducing hydrogen as an energy carrier throughout the city. Berliner Energie und Wärme (BEW) operates a modern gas and steam turbine power plant here, which is already 40% hydrogen-capable. The hub includes:
- CleanTech Business Park Marzahn with future power plant for the production of hydrogen when there is a surplus of renewable energies
Rüdersdorf salt cavern for storing hydrogen - Start-up network ready for operation before 2030 to transport hydrogen to, in and around Berlin
- Combined heat and power plant Marzahn to generate energy with hydrogen in the event of low renewable energy availability for CO2-free security of supply with electricity and district heating
- CHP solutions for selected neighbourhoods
Fuelling station for transport
The Adlershof Technology Park and the Blankenfelde Berlin Estate are located in the immediate vicinity of Berlin’s BER airport.
The airport microcosm is an opportunity to decarbonise the equivalent of a city of 30,000 inhabitants within a closed framework. Hydrogen can be used to convert existing CHP units, which can be supplied at the beginning of the 2030s with the planned connection to the nationwide hydrogen grid.
In the short term, the hydrogen is to be produced from bio-methane from the Blankenfelde estate. The electricity will come from the wind and solar power plants on the neighbouring farmland. The hydrogen will be used for transport via the airport filling station and the waste heat will be used to decarbonise the airport buildings. The solid carbon produced from the bio-methane as a by-product is used as a raw material in industry – a real carbon sink for the climate, as it is obtained from climate-neutral bio-methane.
This will benefit heavy goods logistics transport, public transport buses and, in the long term, air traffic.
The hydrogen refuelling station at the airport will also help to decarbonise the airfield (power generators at the outdoor positions, industrial trucks).
Together for the energy transition
As H2Berlin, we are advancing the hydrogen economy in Berlin. We welcome partners to implement the strategies. We work together with your company on projects to introduce hydrogen as a substitute for fossil solutions.
If you have recognised the potential of hydrogen for your company and Berlin or want to know more about it, please contact us:
Contact
H2Berlin
Setting the course for tomorrow
The energy transition is not only a major challenge, but also a unique opportunity. H2Berlin e.V., together with strong partners, is driving forward the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy – for a clean, efficient, and future-proof energy supply. This brochure provides an overview of current flagship projects and explains how hydrogen is already being planned for use at Berlin’s power plants, in rail transport, in vehicle fleets, and in industry.