Regional Hydrogen Projects: Practical Knowledge in the HyExperts Guide

With the publication of the new guide “HyExperts - successfully conceptualizing regional hydrogen projects”, NOW GmbH, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV), offers municipalities, companies and regions valuable support for the development of a regional hydrogen economy.

The guide is based on the findings of 28 HyExpert studies conducted as part of the “HyLand - Hydrogen Regions in Germany” competition. With the HyLand program, the BMDV has been promoting the initiation, development and implementation of regional hydrogen value chains in the National Innovation Program Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP) since 2019.

Knowledge for practice - from potential analysis to implementation

The guide consolidates the extensive knowledge of the HyExpert regions and provides practical methods, checklists and best practices. It serves as a reference work and supports stakeholders in analyzing regional potential for hydrogen, developing concepts and successfully implementing specific projects.

Contents of the guideline:

• Potential analysis: Methods for assessing hydrogen production and supply
• Concept development: Guidelines for planning H₂ infrastructure and the use of hydrogen in transportation
• Regulation: Overview of approval procedures and legal framework conditions

Funding opportunities: References to programs and funding advice
The approaches and examples provided are based on concrete experience from the HyExpert projects. The aim is to make knowledge and tried-and-tested methods available to other regions and thus support the development of further regional hydrogen ecosystems.

H2 regions as a blueprint for the future

“The concepts developed in the HyLand competition impressively demonstrate the potential that hydrogen offers for sustainable mobility and regional value creation,” explains Dagmar Fehler, Managing Director and spokesperson for NOW GmbH. “With this guide, we are providing local stakeholders with a practical tool to successfully embark on the path towards a regional hydrogen economy.”

“HyLand - Hydrogen Regions in Germany” is a competition launched by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) in 2019 to motivate stakeholders in all regions of Germany to initiate, plan and implement hydrogen-related concepts. Within two rounds of the competition, regions were supported in a three-stage approach from networking (HyStarter) to conceptualization (HyExperts) to implementation through concrete procurement measures (HyPerformer). The aim of the competition is to identify and promote the most innovative and promising regional concepts. So far, 53 regions have been selected for support in setting up regionally integrated hydrogen ecosystems. Many regions have submitted final reports and feasibility studies and are about to enter the next stage of development. In future, the HyLand program will focus on networking and knowledge transfer to establish regional hydrogen value chains.