Olaf Scholz informs himself about hydrogen.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Bundestag President Bärbel Bas took an hour and a half to visit the Center for Fuel Cell Technology (ZBT) at the University of Duisburg-Essen on Tuesday afternoon. At the hydrogen test field in the middle of the Duisburg campus, the chancellor showed great interest in the energy carrier of the future, asked questions about facilities to the right and left of the pre-planned path, and exchanged ideas with young researchers.
Scholz emphasized the great importance of green hydrogen for the future of Germany and Europe. To achieve this, he said, production must now leave the laboratory: “We need discussions about industrialization paths.”
In various laboratories and in discussions with ZBT scientists, Scholz gained an overview of the high-tech infrastructure and the aspects for ramping up a sustainable hydrogen economy. “Duisburg is home to first-class high technology and science; the kind we need for our common future.” In the subsequent round with students and doctoral candidates, the Chancellor also showed that he had taken a close look at the topic. The questions went right to the heart of the matter: the amount of funding, too much bureaucracy, future transportation systems. But the young researchers also demanded clear statements from Scholz on the German government’s climate policy.
“The visit of the Federal Chancellor is a special honor for us,” summarizes ZBT Managing Director Dr. Peter Beckhaus. “Especially the direct and intensive exchange with the scientists was excellent for both sides and fundamental for the next steps. Only in solidarity between industry, politics and science will we get the hydrogen economy established in Germany and thus substantially secure employment.”
With the Hydrogen Center TrHy (The Hydrogen Proving Area), Duisburg is one of the four locations of the nationwide Innovation and Technology Center for Hydrogen.
Further Information:
To the press release of the UDE