Economic engine: The Ruhr
As a leading industrial hub, Germany's economic future is particularly dependent on the availability of sustainable energy. The Ruhr will account for more than 20% of Germany's total hydrogen demand in 2032 - more than any other region in Germany. This means that the Ruhr is essential for a strong economy in Germany.
The Hydrogen Metropole Ruhr
The Hydrogen Metropole Ruhr - HyMR for short - provides targeted support for companies entering the hydrogen economy. It offers access to networks from business, science and politics, can help in the search for suitable funding opportunities and project partners and creates visibility for innovative hydrogen technologies. At the same time, HyMR lobbies politically at state, federal and EU level for favourable framework conditions.
The case in favour of the Ruhr
Major companies from the steel, chemicals, glass, logistics and paper industries have already announced that they are switching to hydrogen in their production processes. thyssenkrupp Steel is building a hydrogen-capable direct reduction plant in Duisburg to produce climate-neutral steel. Evonik is using hydrogen for chemical production in Marl, while bp in Gelsenkirchen is working on making refinery processes more sustainable with hydrogen.
Centrally located with good connections to international trade routes, including deep-sea ports and inland waterways.
A total of 240 km of H₂ pipelines and port connections already enable the rapid transport of hydrogen. The planned GET H2 pipeline, for example, will transport green hydrogen from Lingen to the Ruhr. Thyssengas and Open Grid Europe (OGE) are currently converting existing natural gas networks in the Ruhr to support hydrogen. duisport, the largest inland port in the world in Duisburg, will play an important role in the import and distribution of hydrogen in the future.
The Ruhr relies on hydrogen-powered waste collection vehicles and buses and is continuously expanding its H₂ refuelling station infrastructure for heavy goods vehicles.
The establishment of a comprehensive network for the development, production and application of hydrogen solutions offers companies enormous opportunities.
Production and Innovation
The hydrogen economy in the Ruhr is not only growing due to strong demand, but also through the development of its own production capacities and innovative research facilities. The region is focusing on electrolysis projects, specialised research institutes and the promotion of start-ups.
Research & Innovation
The Ruhr benefits from a rich research landscape that supports the hydrogen ramp-up by developing innovative solutions.Fraunhofer UMSICHT is researching new electrolysis processes, while the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center,Zentrum für Brennstoffzellentechnik (ZBT), in Duisburg is developing practical applications for industry. The H2UB in Essen acts as a Europe-wide start-up accelerator that connects young companies with industry. In addition, the H2Solution Lab at the Westfälische Hochschule in Gelsenkirchen is a specialised research facility that will enable companies to develop and test hydrogen systems and components with an output of up to 1 MW from 2029.
H₂ production in the Ruhr
The region is continuously expanding its electrolysis capacities to produce green hydrogen. A 20 MW electrolyser from Air Liquide is already in operation in Oberhausen. Further projects are being planned: a 120 MW project in Marl and additional capacities in Essen (10 MW), Gelsenkirchen (10 MW) and Hamm (20 MW).
The Ruhr is already implementing
Hydrogen is no longer a vision of the future in the Ruhr. In addition to major projects in the steel and chemical industries, hydrogen is already playing a role in numerous ongoing projects:
Production of eMethanol from CO₂ and green hydrogen
Production of electrolysers
Development of standards for the safe operation of hydrogen pipelines
Production of fuel cells for trains and trucks
H₂ as an energy supplier for the glass industry
In addition to these individual projects, collaborative projects such as the Gelsenkirchen climate port with several off-takers or the hydrogen cluster around the user centre in Herten are becoming increasingly important.
The network for hydrogen in the Ruhr
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Image credit: Sebastian Wolf for HyMR, RVR