Analyzing Germany's Future Green Hydrogen Imports: The HYPAT Project
Key Ideas
- Fraunhofer Institute's HYPAT project studies global potential for green hydrogen imports to Germany, considering partner countries, trade volumes, and costs by 2030 and 2050.
- Liquid hydrogen emerges as a cost-effective option for long-term imports, with recommendations to promote ammonia in the short to medium term and accelerate liquid hydrogen technologies.
- Exporting countries benefit from job creation, value addition, and energy transition acceleration but must be cautious of exhausting renewable energy potentials and causing electricity price hikes.
- Water supply sustainability is crucial for hydrogen production, analyzed in the HYPAT project, with a focus on electrolyzer water costs in regions like Morocco and the economic efficiency of water supply and transport.
Germany is anticipated to rely significantly on importing green hydrogen and hydrogen-based synthesis products in the future. The HYPAT project, led by scientists and development workers, has produced a global hydrogen potential atlas to identify sustainable locations for the future green hydrogen economy. Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE conducted detailed techno-economic analyses focusing on green hydrogen production sites and the export of various Power-to-X products, including liquid hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. Import costs by 2030 and 2050 were projected with consideration to partner countries such as Brazil, Morocco, and Canada.
The study highlighted liquid hydrogen as a promising long-term import option, while recommending the promotion of ammonia in the short to medium term. The project also emphasized the importance of sustainable water supply for hydrogen production, especially in regions with low freshwater reserves. Additionally, the research considered environmental and economic effects on exporting countries, cautioning against potential negative impacts on their energy transition and electricity costs.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the HYPAT project provided insights into the economic efficiency of water supply and transport in electrolyzer projects, showcasing the need for a balanced framework to evaluate water costs. The findings underscore the significance of strategic partnerships and sustainable practices in advancing Germany's green hydrogen imports and global energy transition.