The first of four new hydrogen centers across Germany has started operations in Chemnitz. A total of 84.4 million euros will be invested in the coming years. The HIC (Hydrogen Innovation Center) in Chemnitz is primarily intended to support small and medium-sized companies and start-ups to develop new business areas in hydrogen technologies. To this end, laboratories, test benches and workshops are being built to efficiently develop new technologies and products to market maturity.
The HIC is a place where business and science, training and transfer to application come together, emphasized Professor Thomas von Unwerth, Chairman of the Board of the HZwo sponsoring association. The aim is to actively shape the future of hydrogen and to preserve and increase both the climate and prosperity for the next generation.
Hydrogen as the key to the energy transition in industry
Hydrogen is seen as an important key to replacing fossil fuels such as oil and gas in industry and transportation. Electricity can be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. If this electricity comes from renewable sources, we are talking about green hydrogen. It could increasingly be used as a fuel for buses, trucks and ships, as well as in energy-intensive operations in the chemical, construction and metal industries.
The federal government is providing up to 290 million euros for the four locations of the National Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Center (ITZ). The sites are to be established in Chemnitz, Duisburg, Pfeffenhausen (Bavaria) and as a cluster in northern Germany. The state of Saxony is also contributing 14.5 million euros to the funding for the HIC in Chemnitz. A new building is to be constructed on the city's technology campus in several construction phases by 2029. Around 100 people will work there.
"Hydrogen and renewable fuels - alongside electromobility - will be a key pillar of sustainable mobility," emphasized Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) in a statement. The aim is to accelerate the transition of the supplier industry towards climate-friendly drive systems. This opens up opportunities for research, development and innovation, especially for small and medium-sized companies.
"We stand by our tradition as an automotive and mechanical engineering state," said Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) at the launch of the HIC. "By enabling these key industries to tie in with hydrogen, we are making them future-proof."
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