Climate Changed
Germany Turns to Hydrogen in Quest for Clean Energy Economy
- Government aims to be world leader in the fuel’s development
- New research labs, hydrogen in gas grid part of growth plans
A demonstration hydrogen fuel pump connected to a prototype Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell hybrid plug-in SUV
Photographer: Krisztian BocsiThis article is for subscribers only.
Hydrogen, overlooked for decades by Germany’s energy planners, is gaining ground as alternative to fossil fuels as the nation scrambles to recover lost ground on its climate promises.
From government officials to utilities and power grid operators, hydrogen is being touted as a cleaner way to break Germany’s dependence on coal. In the past three weeks, the Economy Ministry unveiled 20 labs to research the fuel, and natural gas pipeline owners asked for rules that would allow them to carry more of the lightest element.