Collaboration takes center stage at Hydrogen Cross Border Conference
During the fifth Hydrogen Cross Border Conference in Lingen, experts from the Netherlands and Germany came together to discuss the future of hydrogen. The focus was on scaling up the market, innovative applications, and the importance of strong cross-border cooperation for a successful energy transition.
International Hydrogen Conference in Lingen
More than 160 experts from business, politics, and academia gathered at the IT Center Lingen. They participated in the fifth Hydrogen Cross Border Conference (HCBC).
The panel discussions focused on scaling up the hydrogen market. Key themes included reducing price differences, establishing cross-border value chains, and training sufficient qualified professionals.
Innovative solutions, such as salt electrolysis, received significant attention. Practical business models for small and medium-sized enterprises were also discussed. These examples demonstrate that the technology is ready for application in industry.
Historical ties and new energy policy
The Mayor of Lingen, Dieter Krone, opened the conference. He drew a connection between the city's rich history and current energy policy, emphasizing the long-standing relationship with the Netherlands. According to Krone, this bond is still visible, not only in the architecture but also in the collaboration between residents, businesses, and networks.
Collaboration goes beyond infrastructure
Marian van Dijken of the Province of Groningen emphasized the importance of strategic cooperation. According to her, connecting networks alone is not sufficient. Joint plans and coordination are also necessary. Despite uncertainties in the energy market, she sees positive developments. In the Emsland region, projects are being concretely implemented. The Netherlands can learn from this decisiveness. In uncertain times, cross-border cooperation is crucial, according to her.
Milestone for regional hydrogen strategy
For the Emsland district, the conference marked an important step. First District Councillor Martin Gerenkamp pointed out the long preparation. The foundation was laid years ago with the H2 region Emsland. He expressed his appreciation for the fact that the conference is now taking place in Lingen. According to him, reliable partnerships remain essential, especially in economically and politically challenging times.
Maritime sector and economic feasibility
A special maritime program took place in Haren (Ems) one day before the conference. Approximately 75 participants discussed making shipping more sustainable.
The main conclusion was clear. Hydrogen only becomes economically attractive when the entire chain functions properly. That means optimizing production, transport, and storage.
The technology is largely ready for application. However, a broad breakthrough depends on further system improvement. Training sufficient skilled professionals also remains an important prerequisite.
Integrated approach for broad application
At the end of the conference, the organizers emphasized the importance of a coherent strategy. All parts of the value chain must align well with one another. This applies to maritime logistics as well as industrial applications. According to the organizing team, this is necessary to enable the large-scale deployment of hydrogen.
