Europe is in a race against reality: On the one hand, there is the ambition to be a global leader in climate protection. On the other, Europe’s industries are under immense pressure – driven by high energy costs, weak infrastructure, and declining competitiveness. This conflict of goals is also threatening transportation – the backbone of our economy and society. What we need now is a solution that makes ecological sense, is economically viable and fits into the broader energy system. One of the keys: a molecule. With “Hydrogen Week” taking place in Germany, an article by Andreas Gorbach.

Our long-term goal is as ambitious as it is necessary: an economy without CO₂ emissions. To achieve this, green electricity alone won’t be enough – we also need green molecules. Hydrogen (H₂) will thus play a key role. Not just in transportation, but across almost all energy-intensive sectors.

Renewable electricity is the foundation for many applications – but especially in Central Europe, it reaches its limits when it comes to storing, transporting or flexibly providing large amounts of energy at the right time and place.