Partnering up with Germany
Daniel Miravalles Diez Head of business development is participating in the 1st German Norwegian Hydrogen Forum in the framework of Innovation Norway’s HPO Market Intelligence Hydrogen Germany in Hamburg this week.
Together with a strong Norwegian delegation, led by Jan Christian Vestre, Innovation Norway, and many of Energy Valleys members, gathered through several clusters he is visiting Hamburg, one of the main centers for renewable energy in Europe and the location of the upcoming Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub.
Daniel Miravalles Diez Head of business development. Photo: Daniel Miravalles.
What is the goal for the trip?
– Getting an overview of the German market and opportunities for Norwegian companies there; find opportunities for collaboration for our companies and with other clusters; learn from German and Norwegian experience in the hydrogen industry, says Miravalles.
Miravalles is using the time there to attend forums, network with Norwegian companies and clusters, Innovation Norway, and several German players, as well as collaborate with other Norwegian clusters (H2 Cluster, Ocean Hyway, NES, and Power by Telemark) in a mapping of the Norwegian hydrogen value chain, which preliminary results were presented Tuesday.
Energy Valley members Aker Offshore Wind, DNV, Equinor, Kongsberg Maritime, Siemens Energy, SINTEF, Surplusmap, TechnipFMC, and ZEG Power also participated in the 1st German Norwegian Hydrogen Forum.
– Lars Ole Bjørnsrud presented Deep Purple – A Subsea Hydrogen Infrastructure project and Kathrine Ryengen CCO of ZEG Power presented module-based and scalable platform technology suited for clean hydrogen.
Do you have any key takeaways so far?
– Germany is a very attractive market for the Norwegian companies with 62 candidate IPCI projects on hydrogen, including Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub; Energy Port Rostock – Hydrogen Hub, and AquaVentus, where several of our companies are already members, says Miravalles.
In the political picture, several MOUs were signed between both countries. Jan Christian Vestre, Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry emphasized the need for cross-border collaboration and briefed the audience on the upcoming roadmap for energy transition, that aims, amongst other focus areas, to develop a complete hydrogen supply chain in Norway. A strategic partnership between Norway and the Northern German states was agreed upon.
– Michael Westhagemann was very keen on a strong collaboration regarding transport, including shipping and a hydrogen pipeline between Norway and Germany. On the industrial side, Equinor joined voices with Statkraft, Hydro, Aker Offshore wind, and most of the German players asking for a regulatory framework that enables faster development of the hydrogen and offshore wind industry. CCfDs (carbon contracts for difference) were constantly mentioned as one of the most useful tools. The need for hydrogen and offshore wind grid development and additionality completed the wish list of most of the companies, Miravalles says and adds:
– Success of the hydrogen industry starts with demand, Per Christian Eriksen, CEO of Hydro Havrand pointed out, in line with the analysis from the World Energy Council and Grete Tveit (Equinor), that asked for more help to increase a customer base.