Wunsiedel is to be connected to the nationwide hydrogen network. Ferngas Netzgesellschaft mbH and the Wunsiedel gas network operator GVW GmbH (GVW) have signed a joint declaration of intent to this end.
Ferngas attaches particular importance to connecting Wunsiedel to the hydrogen network: the town's energy park is already home to Bavaria's largest electrolyser, a real hydrogen lighthouse project. The hydrogen core network is also of great importance for Upper Franconia and the Upper Palatinate. As energy-intensive industries such as glass and ceramics are located there, there will be a high demand for green hydrogen for decarbonisation in the region in the future.
Building local energy infrastructure from renewable energies
The signing of the memorandum of understanding is an important step in Wunsiedel's endeavours to put the regional energy infrastructure on an environmentally friendly and forward-looking footing. Thanks to the cooperation between Ferngas and GVW, Wunsiedel will be able to cover additional demand for its own hydrogen production.
"The expansion of the H2 infrastructure is also important because it actively links the sectors", says GVW Managing Director Marco Krasser. "Hydrogen can be produced from local surplus solar or wind power and stored in the grids or used for other applications."
Final approval and scenario framework still pending
Implementation is dependent, among other things, on the final approval by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) and the clarification of currently unresolved financing issues for the H2 core grid.
At federal level, the integrated network development plan (NEP 2025 - 2035) for methane and hydrogen will be launched this spring, and thus the second stage of the hydrogen network expansion, which will bring hydrogen to the area.
The scenario framework for this is to be drawn up first (by 30 June 2024). The NDP will then be submitted by 31 May 2025.
(Source: Ferngas Netzgesellschaft)
