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Updates to the Hydrogen Acceleration Act

Bundesregierung beschließt Entwurf für Wasserstoff-Beschleunigungsgesetz

On October 1, 2025, the Federal Cabinet adopted the draft Hydrogen Acceleration Act to speed up the development of hydrogen infrastructure and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.

✅ Key highlights:

📌 Covers the entire hydrogen supply chain: production, import, storage, transport, and pipelines.

📌 Includes facilities for synthetic fuels to decarbonize shipping & aviation.

📌 Declares hydrogen infrastructure projects as overriding public interest, ensuring higher priority in approval decisions.

📌 Introduces clear deadlines, digitalized processes, and faster procurement.

📌 Simplifies regulations for natural hydrogen through amendments to the Federal Mining Act.

☑️ What next:

The Bundesrat and Bundestag will deal with the draft law.

➡️ Full draft law available here: Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Beschleunigung der Verfügbarkeit von Wasserstoff und zur Änderung weiterer rechtlicher Rahmenbedingungen für den Wasserstoffhochlauf und weiterer energierechtlicher Vorschriften

➡️ Source: Aufbau der Wasserstoff-Infrastruktur wird schneller, digitaler und unbürokratischer – Bundesregierung beschließt Entwurf für Wasserstoff-Beschleunigungsgesetz

Posted By : admin 30 Sep, 2025

2nd Call for International Hydrogen Projects

📢 Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy launches 2nd Call for International Hydrogen Projects.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), together with the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), has published the second call for funding under the guidelines for international hydrogen projects. The BMWE thus supports the use of German hydrogen technologies abroad and aims to prepare and implement import routes to Germany.

✅ Key points:

📌 German companies can submit project outlines until 18 December 2025.

📌 Funding supports the development of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives outside Europe, with a focus on industrial-scale production plants and accompanying research (e.g., feasibility studies).

📌 Special emphasis is placed on German SMEs – technology suppliers and project developers – to strengthen expertise abroad and open new markets.

📌 Up to €30 million per project may be granted (subject to budget approval until 2026).

📅 On 13 October 2025, an information event will provide details on funding opportunities and allow participants to ask questions.

➡️ Register here: Förderaufruf zur novellierten Förderrichtlinie für internationale Wasserstoffprojekte

The initiative contributes to shaping a global renewable hydrogen market and securing future import routes to Germany, while showcasing German hydrogen technologies internationally.

➡️ Source: Bundeswirtschaftsministerium veröffentlicht zweiten Förderaufruf der Förderrichtlinie für internationale Wasserstoffprojekte

Posted By : admin 28 Sep, 2025

Briefing Delegated act on low-carbon hydrogen

I dove into the European Parliamentary Research Service Briefing on the “Delegated Act on Low-carbon Hydrogen”.

✅ Key takeaways:

📌 The delegated act, adopted by the Commission on 8 July 2025, is the final missing piece of the EU’s hydrogen regulatory framework. Its was adopted by the Commission on 8 July 2025, pending scrutiny by the Parliament and the Council until 10 November.

📌 The delegated act does not create financial incentives or targets but provides much-needed regulatory clarity on what qualifies as low-carbon hydrogen, supporting cross-border trade, investment, and a future EU hydrogen market.

📌 Electrolysis via the grid is only eligible in countries with very low grid emissions (currently: France, Sweden, Finland). Elsewhere, PPAs will play a key role.

📌 Nuclear power: The delegated act does not include a specific methodology for producing low-carbon hydrogen from nuclear power plants. The Commission plans to launch a public consultation on a draft methodology for this production method in 2026.

📌 Blue hydrogen faces stricter requirements. LNG-related emissions must be calculated using a methane-intensity methodology by 2027/28, raising uncertainty.

📌 Production costs: CCS-based hydrogen remains cheaper in the near term, while electrolytic hydrogen is still challenged by high EU power prices.

📌 Imports: The same low-carbon criteria apply to non-EU producers; a region-specific GHG methodology could follow by 2028.

⚠️ Parliament had already stressed in 2021 that low-carbon hydrogen must be seen as a bridging technology in the short and medium term, but also called for a clear distinction from renewable hydrogen.

The upcoming months will show whether Parliament and Council accept this final building block of EU hydrogen regulation or send the Commission back to the drawing board.

➡️ Source: European Parliamentary Research Service. Briefing: Delegated act on low-carbon hydrogen

Posted By : admin 27 Sep, 2025

H2international magazine

The H2international magazine now offers a free subscription to their English publication, which provides valuable insights and updates on hydrogen developments worldwide.

I hope this resource will be useful for those who want to stay up to date with the latest hydrogen news.

🔗 Free subscription link: https://www.h2-international.com/

Posted By : admin 20 Sep, 2025

Hydrogen Import & the European Hydrogen Bank

This weekend I dove into the report “Assistance in the development of an auction design and necessary pre-conditions for a European import auction for renewable hydrogen under the European Hydrogen Bank.”

The EHB is based on domestic and international pillars. While the domestic pillar for hydrogen production in the EU has already reached its third auction, the international pillar for hydrogen import is still under development. This report provides the groundwork for shaping a European import auction for renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.

My Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Strategic recommendations:

The report outlines how to design RFNBO import auctions at EU level, based on hydrogen market analysis and lessons from existing/planned auction schemes in Europe and beyond.

2️⃣ Two case studies analyzed:

📌 Pipeline-based imports (pure hydrogen):

Can secure supply/offtake contracts between EU buyers and third-country producers in neighbouring regions.
Encourages pipeline investments.
Works via demand-side auction models to bridge funding gaps for RFNBO purchases, without assuming counterparty risks.

📌 Ship-based imports (derivatives: ammonia, methanol, eSAF):

Helps EU offtakers secure RFNBO volumes for hard-to-abate sectors and quota compliance.
Contributes to scaling up the global RFNBO market.

3️⃣ Contract terms

To scale import volumes effectively, the maturity transformation between purchase and sales agreements should be limited, with hydrogen sales agreements (HSAs) running for 2–5 years.

4️⃣ Auction design priorities

Import auctions should:

Bridge the cost gap between RFNBO production abroad and EU willingness to pay.
Accelerate market ramp-up.
Send a strong demand signal to international producers.
Strengthen cooperation among EU Member States.

💡 This report is an important step toward designing the EU’s approach for international hydrogen imports as a key enabler for the energy transition.

➡️ Source: European Commission: Directorate-General for Energy, Fraunhofer ISI and Guidehouse Germany GmbH, Assistance in the development of an auction design and necessary pre-conditions for a European import auction for renewable hydrogen under the European Hydrogen Bank – Final report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2833/9380870

Posted By : admin 13 Sep, 2025

Methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emissions savings from low-carbon fuels

This report, prepared at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research
and Energy (ITRE) reviews the draft Delegated Act (DA) on low-carbon fuels and addresses following questions:

🔹 Which production pathways are included?

The DA applies a technology-neutral, life-cycle approach.
Fuels must achieve at least a 70% reduction vs. the fossil comparator (94 gCO₂eq/MJ).
Both fossil pathways with CCS and electrolytic production routes for hydrogen production are eligible.
Nuclear-based electricity is also recognised.
Hydrogen leakage will be included once scientific consensus exists on its warming impact.

🔹 Does the DA enable the hydrogen economy?

The Delegated Act (DA) is a regulatory enabler, not a market driver.
The DA creates regulatory certainty via harmonised EU-wide accounting and certification, reducing investment risk and avoiding fragmented national rules.
The DA is not a demand-side driver, no targets or incentives are included.

🔹 Does the DA address fossil fuel emissions?

The DA incorporates methane CH₄ and CO₂ defaults but they are not strongly conservative.
LNG-specific values are missing, risking underestimation. Its effectiveness will hinge on strict enforcement and robust methane reporting.

🔹 Price & cost expectations

Blue H₂: 3.5–6.5 €/kg (costs depend on gas prices, CCS costs, and volatility).
Electrolytic H₂: 6–8 €/kg today; costs could fall <3 €/kg with cheaper electrolysers + low-carbon electricity.

➡️ Overall: The DA is an important regulatory enabler. It sets the rules for certification and trade but does not itself stimulate hydrogen demand.

➡️ Source: Report: Methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emissions savings from low-carbon fuels

Posted By : admin 12 Sep, 2025

IEA Global Hydrogen Review 2025

International Energy Agency Global Hydrogen Review 2025

The hydrogen sector is growing despite persistent barriers and project delays.

✅ Key Takeaways from the IEA Global Hydrogen Review 2025:

1️⃣ Global demand continues to rise

Hydrogen demand reached 100 Mt in 2024, up 2% from 2023.
Fossil fuels still dominate supply: 290 bcm natural gas and 90 Mtce coal equivalent.
Low-emissions hydrogen grew 10% in 2024, but remains <1% of total production.

2️⃣ Project delays and cancellations

Uptake of low-emissions hydrogen lags behind ambitions due to high costs, regulatory uncertainty, and slow infrastructure development.
The sector shows signs of maturity: 200+ low-emissions projects received FIDs since 2020, up from just a few demonstration projects.
Innovation across the value chain is strong.

3️⃣ Production outlook to 2030

Announced low-emissions projects have decreased from 49 Mtpa to 37 Mtpa due to delays and cancellations, mainly in electrolysis.
However, operational projects and projects reached FIDs could deliver 4.2 Mtpa by 2030, a fivefold increase from 2024.
An additional 6 Mtpa could come online by 2030 if effective policies and offtake mechanisms are implemented.

4️⃣ Costs and competitiveness

The cost gap between low-emissions hydrogen and fossil-based production remains a challenge, though expected to narrow by 2030.
China and Europe could see cost-competitive renewable hydrogen.
In the US and Middle East, CCUS for producing low-emissions hydrogen may remain more competitive in the near term.

5️⃣ Policy and demand signals

Momentum for hydrogen offtake agreements slowed in 2024: 1.7 Mtpa signed vs. 2.4 Mtpa in 2023.
Most agreements remain in refining, chemicals, shipping, and some aviation.
Policies to create demand are progressing but full impact will depend on implementation.

Global Hydrogen Review Summary Progress: Production, Electrolyser installed capacity, Announced electrolyser projects by 2030, Electrolyser manufacturing capacity, Announced electrolyser manufacturing capacity by 2030, Policies and Investment

Figure: Global Hydrogen Review Summary Progress

➡️ Source: Global Hydrogen Review 2025

Posted By : admin 10 Sep, 2025

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism simplifications

On 10 September, the European Parliament adopted simplifications to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

✅ Key Points

📌 Purpose: Reduce administrative burden, especially for SMEs and occasional importers.

📌 Context: Part of the “Omnibus I” simplification package (presented on 26 February 2025), covering sustainability and investment legislation.

📌 New de minimis threshold:

Imports up to 50 tonnes per importer per year exempted from CBAM.
Replaces the earlier exemption for goods of negligible value.
Exempts ~90% of importers (mainly SMEs and individuals).
⚠️ Not applicable to hydrogen and electricity.

📌 Climate ambition unchanged:

99% of emissions from CBAM goods (iron, steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers) still covered.
Strengthened anti-abuse provisions to prevent circumvention.

📌 Simplifications for covered imports:

Streamlined authorisation process.
Simplified emissions calculation rules.
Adjusted verification rules.
Clearer financial liability for authorised CBAM declarants.

☑️ What’s next:

The Council must now officially endorse the text. It will enter into force three days after publication in the EU Official Journal.

📄 Adopted text: Link.

➡️ Source: CBAM: Parliament adopts simplifications to the EU carbon leakage instrument

CBAM Simplification. De minimis mass threshold: 50 tonnes per importer per year

Posted By : admin 9 Sep, 2025

Global clean hydrogen projects

Figure: Global clean hydrogen projects by project status

Source: Hydrogen Council & McKinsey Project & Investment Tracker, as of December 2020, May 2022, May 2024 and July 2025

The global hydrogen sector is evolving, and this image from the Global Hydrogen Compass 2025, published by Hydrogen Council, illustrates the current landscape.

✅ Key Takeaways:

📌 The clean hydrogen project pipeline now includes 1,749 projects, of which 510 are committed —meaning they have taken FID, started construction, or begun operation. Over 80 projects were added in the past year.

📌 The overall hydrogen project pipeline has grown 7.5 times since 2020, with 214 net new projects added since May 2024, despite a slowdown in announcements.

📌 Europe leads in the number of projects with commercial operation dates (CODs) by 2030, followed by North America and China.

📌 Around 70% of committed projects are renewable, with just under half located in Europe.

📌 While Europe focuses on developing infrastructure and demand centers for an import-oriented hydrogen industry, China’s renewable projects are on average 10 times larger.

📌 A higher share of Chinese projects (50%) are already FID+ compared to Europe (30%) and North America (35%). Early-stage projects in China may be undercounted due to lower public visibility.

➡️ Source: Global Hydrogen Compass 2025, Hydrogen Council

Posted By : admin 1 Sep, 2025

Case studies on hydrogen produced from biomass

The new report “Synergies of green hydrogen and biobased value chains deployment. Report WP2: Case studies on hydrogen produced from biomass” was released by the Inter-Task Project Synergies of Green Hydrogen and Biobased Value Chains.

The report explores technology options for producing biomass-based hydrogen (biohydrogen) and their respective technology readiness levels.

✅ Regulatory context

It is important to underline that biohydrogen does not qualify as renewable hydrogen or renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO) under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), since biomass is explicitly excluded from the definition of RFNBO.
RED III: ‘renewable fuels of non-biological origin’ means liquid and gaseous fuels the energy content of which is derived from renewable sources other than biomass;
Nevertheless, the report provides valuable insights into how different biomass conversion technologies could contribute to hydrogen and commodity production.

Figure: Main conversion processes to produce hydrogen from biomass sources (based on Buffi et.al 2022)

Source: Report “Synergies of green hydrogen and biobased value chains deployment”

☑️ Key findings of the report

Biohydrogen can be produced through several conversion routes, using a wide range of biogenic feedstocks.
Feedstock options vary from low-grade materials (wastewater, forestry and agricultural residues) to higher quality feedstocks (bioethanol, biomethane).
Many production concepts deliver additional co-products, such as biochar, biocarbon, or biomethane, and in some cases CO₂ streams that could enable negative emissions.
Case studies provide detailed assessments of technology readiness, economic fundamentals, climate impacts, and their potential role in the energy system.

✅ Status of development

All production concepts examined remain at the development stage (TRL 4–7) and none has yet reached full commercialization.
The report highlights both the opportunities and the barriers for scaling these technologies.

☑️ Takeaway

While biohydrogen will not play a role in fulfilling RED III targets for RFNBO, it may provide complementary pathways for decarbonisation and resource efficiency, particularly if integrated into biobased value chains with multiple outputs.

➡️ Source: Report “Synergies of green hydrogen and biobased value chains deployment”

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