Use of hydrogen

Other areas of application for the use of hydrogen

The use of hydrogen is being discussed in may industries and in fact has been adopted by some of them for a number of years.

An interesting field of application is energy-intensive production processes of conventional companies that can be “de-fossilised” by the use of hydrogen.

The role of hydrogen as a source of energy is also likely to become increasingly important in the mobility sector. Hydrogen propulsion systems allow for a significantly longer range compared with battery-powered systems. In other words, the greater the distances that can be travelled in one stretch with hydrogen propulsion systems, the more attractive they become compared with battery-powered propulsion systems. The significance of hydrogen propulsion systems also increases with greater load weight. This type of propulsion systems is therefore probably more attractive for heavy goods vehicles, trains, vessels or aircraft than for passenger cars (which often drive shorter distances with a lower cargo load.

Hydrogen may also provide an alternative supply of electricity and heating to compensate for the volatility of renewable energy sources.

Legal issues relevant to the use of hydrogen

A central aim of the Government will be to provide more incentives for the use of hydrogen, as has been done, for example, by introducing the GHG quota under the German Federal Immissions Control Act [Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz – BImSchG]. For example, an infrastructure of filling stations is needed for the mobility sector. Reasonable prices for CO₂ emission certificates also make the use of climate-friendly green hydrogen more attractive. Well-balanced subsidy laws will therefore promote the wider use of green hydrogen.

Our clients will probably also consider various models of cooperation. They can be a way to increase innovation and to cushion the high capital investment and operating costs of transitioning to hydrogen.

Statutory safety requirements to be observed in the use of hydrogen will play an increasing role.

Many of the questions surrounding these legal issues can already be answered under the legal framework currently in place. But after the first steps taken by the legislator just recently, the specific legal framework for the use of hydrogen still needs to be further elaborated to ensure planning security. The lawyers of our firm continue to follow current developments in this area closely and can assist you both with legal fact finding and with the implementation of your hydrogen projects.