Hydrogen Network Nordostniedersachsen (English)

Wind power, salt caverns and existing industrial companies: hydrogen can contribute to the energy transition in Lower Saxony. The region of north-east Lower Saxony has the potential to become a centre of the hydrogen economy in northern Germany. To achieve the climate targets, hydrogen technology can reduce CO2 emissions in the transport, heating, industry and agriculture sectors.

In the H2.N.O.N hydrogen network, more than 150 partners are already working together on a more climate-friendly energy supply in north-east Lower Saxony. The Hydrogen Network North-East Lower Saxony is an association of the eleven districts in the Lüneburg region. The Regional Management North-East Lower Saxony – Hydrogen Economy is subsidised with federal and state funds as part of the joint task ‘Improvement of the regional economic structure’ (GRW).

Wide range of applications for hydrogen

Whether as a fuel in transport or as an energy supplier for electricity and heat generation: Hydrogen enables the use of renewable energy sources in various areas. So anyone who wants to cook or drive a car using solar or wind energy will be able to do so with hydrogen.

MW/Scheffen

“Compared to the rest of Germany, Lower Saxony has favourable location conditions for climate-neutral energy infrastructure in order to realise extensive hydrogen value chains on a scalable industrial scale. H2.N.O.N contributes significantly to networking the existing expertise in the region and initiating innovative projects and investments. The state of Lower Saxony is pleased to support the successful work of regional management for a further another three years.”

Olaf Lies

Lower Saxony Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Building and Digitalisationschaft, Verkehr, Bauen und Digitalisierung

The H2.N.O.N-Network presents itself

The video gives an overview of our mission for a climate-friendly future with hydrogen technology in our region and explains how the hydrogen network Nordostniedersachsen H2.N.O.N. came about. We are convinced that hydrogen will play a key role in the energy transition in Lower Saxony. Places like Stade, Cuxhaven, Bremervörde and Osterholz have already developed into hotspots in the hydrogen sector – including the world’s first scheduled hydrogen train service.

Quelle: TZEW

Hydrogen projects in north-east Lower Saxony

Our digital brochure provides an overview of the various H2 projects in our region – from production to hydrogen applications. Click on the link to open a new window in which you can browse through the brochure.

Published in december 2023

Why is hydrogen the future in north-east Lower Saxony and beyond?

Green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energies, is completely carbon-free. When it is converted into electricity, the only waste product is water vapour. Hydrogen can also be stored and transported. This makes it possible to utilise the full potential of renewable energy sources locally on site. Existing natural gas pipelines or cavern storage facilities can be converted into hydrogen pipelines. In 2022, H2.N.O.N received the special Regional Industrial Initiative Award.

The goals for hydrogen in north-east Lower Saxony

The hydrogen network H2.N.O.N networks the potential of hydrogen technology in the region in order to further develop it in a targeted manner in the areas of production, technology, infrastructure and application. The flagship project ‘Load transport with green hydrogen’ and the H2-RegioHub strategy support us in this endeavour. The H2.N.O.N members benefit from the network through the pooling of expertise, exchange and transfer of know-how, development cooperation, access to funding and joint public relations work. This makes the commitment of the north-east Lower Saxony region to green hydrogen visible beyond the region.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised how important the work of local stakeholders is for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy at the New Year’s reception of the Stade Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Elbe-Weser region.

Foto: Europäische Union 2020

“You are well on the way to developing the region into a powerhouse for renewable energies. With more than 1200 installed wind turbines. More than 700 biomass plants. More than 140 partners in an exemplary hydrogen network. With projects such as the underground hydrogen storage facility here in Stade, hydrogen-powered trains and Airbus’ work on hydrogen-powered aeroplanes. And, of course, the new LNG terminal that is being built in record time here in Stade. A model region for the hydrogen economy of the future is being created here.”

Ursula von der Leyen

President of the European Commission

Hydrogen in Lower Saxony: H2.N.O.N competences cover the entire value chain

More than 150 companies and organisations in Lower Saxony have joined forces in the H2.N.O.N hydrogen network to pool their expertise in various areas:

  • Hydrogen production from renewable energies (solar, wind power, biomass) using electrolysis
  • Storage in existing salt caverns,
  • Development of a smart and decentralised hydrogen infrastructure
  • Regional utilisation concepts for hydrogen to reduce CO2 emissions

Ole Spata/MB

“The hydrogen network H2.N.O.N is a successful example of committed cooperation. Here, local authorities, companies, research institutions and associations are driving forward the energy transition with hydrogen in rural areas. The project serves as a role model far beyond Lower Saxony.”

Wiebke Osigus

Lower Saxony Minister for Federal Affairs, European Affairs and Regional Developement

Hydrogen network north-east Lower Saxony: the beginnings

At the 1st Hydrogen Day organised by IHK-Stade for the Elbe-Weser region in August 2018, initial approaches for testing and expanding a hydrogen economy in the region were discussed. From November 2018, concrete project approaches for a hydrogen economy in the region along the areas of production, storage, transport, distribution and use of hydrogen were developed on this basis and as part of the ‘Hydrogen Economy Project Coordination’ funding program. The funding project was implemented by the Elbe-Weser Transfer Centre (TZEW) on behalf of ARTIE – Regional Network for Technology, Innovation and Development until the end of 2019. Since 1 September 2020, the H2.N.O.N hydrogen network has been coordinated by a GRW regional management team funded by the state of Lower Saxony. The aim is to initiate, support and further develop promising initiatives and projects in the region based on the results of the work to date. The focus is on identifying, mobilising and harnessing regional employment and growth potential in the hydrogen sector. Following a Europe-wide tender, a consulting consortium consisting of the companies Dieter Meyer Consulting GmbH (MCON) and Transfer Centre Elbe-Weser (TZEW) was commissioned to implement the regional management.

Header picture: iStock/Petmal