National Hydrogen Council

The National Hydrogen Council (NWR) is an advisory body to the federal government. It was established in 2020. Its mission is to support the implementation and further development of the National Hydrogen Strategy (NWS).

Building a hydrogen economy is a task that involves society as a whole. With the goal of appropriately taking into account the various perspectives and areas of expertise, the federal government established the National Hydrogen Council at the same time it adopted the National Hydrogen Strategy (NWS). The council consists of hydrogen experts who represent companies, research institutions, environmental organizations, and labor unions.

As an independent and nonpartisan body of experts, the Council’s role is to advise the State Secretaries’ Committee on Hydrogen on the design and implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy (NWS) by providing proposals and recommendations for action. It develops its statements, background and information papers, and studies through its six standing working groups and sub-working groups. The National Hydrogen Council then discusses and approves these documents in plenary session and subsequently forwards them to the State Secretaries’ Committee on Hydrogen.

The National Hydrogen Council meets at least twice a year and reports annually on the progress of the hydrogen strategy.

Members

The Council currently consists of 26 experts from the business community, academia, and civil society. The members of the Hydrogen Council are therefore not part of the public administration and are expected to offer a different perspective on the hydrogen sector than policymakers.

They bring expertise from a variety of fields: hydrogen research and production, infrastructure, climate and sustainability, industry, transportation, and the building sector, as well as international cooperation. These perspectives are incorporated into statements and position papers that the National Hydrogen Council drafts on key hydrogen-related topics.

Katherina Reiche, the CEO of Westenergie AG, has served as chair of the NWR since its founding.

List of Members

Ultrapure Water for Electrolyzers: Why Conductivity Alone Is Not Enough

Low conductivity is an important parameter for ultrapure water, but it does not account for particles, microorganisms, or organic residues. In this technical article, Peter Krause, Managing Director of Wolftechnik Filtersysteme GmbH & Co. KG, explains why a well-coordinated treatment process and effective final filtration immediately prior to use are essential for the reliable operation of electrolyzers.

The Öhringen Hydrogen Hub: Large-Scale Trial a Success

Heating with hydrogen? “Energetic nonsense,” say some; “an exciting option for the energy transition,” say others. Regardless of one’s opinion, whether this is even technically feasible must be determined through practical trials. One such project is the “NETZlabor Wasserstoff-Insel Öhringen”—where measurement technology from VEGA Grieshaber KG ensures that the gas is always available in the right quantity.

Selection of Valves for Blue Hydrogen Production

The hydrogen economy is growing rapidly—but how can the rising demand be met in a sustainable way? Jochen Wassmann, Manager of EPC/OEM Final Control at Emerson, compares the two main production processes for blue hydrogen—SMR and ATR—and explains the requirements these processes place on valves, controllers, and pressure relief valves.

Invisible Key Technology – How Innovative Seals Are Accelerating Developments in the Hydrogen Economy

The hydrogen economy has been gaining importance in recent years and plays a key role in the global energy transition. For hydrogen to become established as an energy source on an industrial scale, high-performance electrolysers, storage systems, and fuel cells are required.