We were particularly honored to have Mr. Henrik Stiesdal set the tone for the event with an introductory keynote speech.

Our workshop featured two dedicated working groups, led by experts Meiko Neumann, Meryem Maghrebi from cruh21, Philipp Sander, Veronika Lenivova from Fraunhofer IEG, and Ben Mouelhi from the German-Danish Chamber of Commerce. Together, they delved deep into the critical success factors and ongoing challenges in offshore hydrogen ramp-up in Denmark.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to local experts for sharing their invaluable insights. Here are some key takeaways from the session:

 Government support is pivotal for onshore technology maturation and upscaling, aligning with holistic offshore pilots.

 The establishment of a regulatory framework for transport options, distinguishing between near-shore (national) and far-shore (transnational) structures, is essential.

 Governments should set long-term targets to ignite investments in the supply chain, advancing the hydrogen industry.

The insights and recommendations gathered from this workshop highlight the dedication of the MOHN team and its partners to shape the future of hydrogen in the North Sea.

We’re excited to announce that an online webinar will be organized soon to consolidate the results and provide a comprehensive cross-country analysis of the North Sea countries. Stay tuned for more insights and developments as we continue our journey towards a hydrogen-powered future.

Ben Mouelhi, Energy Analyst at the German-Danish Chamber of Commerce, said:

„Offshore hydrogen is of great relevance in our pursuit of a sustainable energy future. At the German Danish Chamber of Commerce, we are motivated to actively contribute to its development. Therefore, we are excited to participate in the MOHN workshop as a lead stakeholder.

Offshore hydrogen holds vast potential to help decarbonize the industries, transportation, and heating sectors by utilizing renewable energy sources. It also offers a viable solution for energy storage, utilization of excess renewable power supply and grid stability. Denmark is an intriguing location for offshore hydrogen due to its extensive experience in offshore wind energy and its ambitious plans for the development of energy islands, creating a conducive environment for the integration and advancement of offshore hydrogen technologies.”

Iris Christiansen, Sen. Export & UN Procurement Consultant, added:

“We believe in the power of multilateral collaboration, particularly within the North Sea region, to drive the green transition. Our active involvement in various initiatives that promote regional cooperation has shown us the immense potential that lies within this approach.

By participating in the MOHN project, we are eager to contribute to knowledge sharing and the exchange of ideas surrounding offshore hydrogen development. We recognize the importance of understanding concrete plans and addressing shared challenges to accelerate the implementation of offshore hydrogen technologies.“

The event commenced with a keynote address by Till Mansmann from the BMBF, who emphasized the paramount importance of hydrogen production in the North Sea region to meet Germany’s hydrogen needs. His insights set the stage for a dynamic and insightful workshop.

Throughout the workshop, four dedicated working groups, led by Meiko Neumann and Stephanie Kratzer from cruh21, Christoph Nolden from Fraunhofer IEG, and Robert Seehawer from AquaVentus, delved into the critical factors contributing to the success and the current challenges faced in offshore hydrogen development in Germany.

Here are the key takeaways distilled from these working groups, which will serve as the foundation for the offshore hydrogen ramp-up:

 Long-Term Vision: To stimulate investments in the supply chain, it is imperative to adopt a long-term perspective that extends beyond the current 1 GW goal.

 Cross-Border Pipelines: The development of pipelines that connect directly across borders is vital for ensuring the economic viability of offshore hydrogen transport.

 Technological Openness: In the SEN-1 tender, maintaining technological openness is crucial to enable the selection of the best technical solutions available.

 Storage Solutions: The availability of storage, whether onshore or offshore, plays a pivotal role in the success of offshore hydrogen projects.

The insights and recommendations garnered from this workshop underscore the commitment of the MOHN team and its partners to shape the future of hydrogen in Germany. Together, we are paving the way for sustainable, innovative, and economically viable offshore hydrogen production in the North Sea.

The session commenced with an informative update from Rene Peters (TNO), representing the Ministry, who shed light on the progress of Demo 1 and Demo 2, setting the stage for an engaging discussion. Bob Meijer (TKI Offshore Energy) enriched the workshop with valuable insights from the offshore wind industry, drawing parallels between cost reduction strategies and the offshore hydrogen sector.

Throughout the workshop, four expert-led working groups, consisting of Meiko Neumann and Meryem Maghrebi from cruh21, Daniela Heger from Fraunhofer IEG, and Rene Peters and Susan Haasdijk from TNO, focused on refining success factors and addressing current challenges for the ramp-up of offshore hydrogen production in the Netherlands.

The local experts collaborated and proposed several stimulating ideas to accelerate offshore hydrogen production:

 Urgent Need for Legal Framework Unification: There is a pressing need to streamline the currently existing three legal frameworks governing water, wind energy, and mining laws. Unifying these frameworks will facilitate seamless progress and propel public EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) studies forward.

 Knowledge Sharing from Demo 1: Establishing a collaborative learning process that leverages the insights gained from Demo 1 will pave the way for a successful commercial scale-up with Demo 2. By building upon the lessons learned, the offshore hydrogen sector can expedite its growth trajectory.

 Adaptation of Gas Laws: Modifying gas laws to allow for the inclusion of hydrogen blends in existing pipelines will provide a swift and efficient transport option for Demo 1. This adaptation will contribute to a seamless integration of hydrogen into the existing infrastructure.

 Driving Demand through Clear Guidelines and Targets: Creating demand for hydrogen within the Dutch industry can be achieved by implementing clear guidelines and setting imposed targets. By establishing a Hydrogen Roadmap, the industry can align its efforts and drive the adoption of hydrogen as a vital energy source.

The third offshore hydrogen ramp-up workshop in Delft proved to be an invaluable platform for collaboration, and problem-solving. With these recommendations, the Netherlands is on a good way to propel its offshore hydrogen sector to new heights.

In her keynote address, Juliet Cramb-Low, representing the Scottish government, stressed the critical significance of hydrogen production and emphasized the pivotal role that the UK could assume as Europe’s leading supplier of green hydrogen.

Under the guidance of Meiko Neumann and Meryem Maghrebi from cruh21, Christoph Nolden and Philip Sander from Fraunhofer IEG, as well as Martyn Tulloch, Jason Paterson, and Hayleigh Barnett from NZTC, six working groups delved into the core topics of success factors and existing challenges surrounding the offshore hydrogen ramp-up.

Throughout the workshop, participants demonstrated unwavering dedication and enthusiasm, engaging in vibrant discussions and actively sharing their innovative ideas. Their unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions and working towards a greener future was palpable.

The working groups distilled the following key takeaways, which serve as a foundation for the offshore hydrogen ramp-up:

 Suitable permitting guidelines should be set up for offshore hydrogen projects and expediate long development cycles.

 Governmental support is needed to implement business models and launch initiatives to foster application of existing and new technologies.

 Focus on holistic value chain solutions with an international outreach are necessary for hydrogen transport options to reach a bankable stage.

 A comprehensive demand mapping across UK and Northern Europe’s main demand centers is essential to eliminate uncertainties and kick-off investment.

 Collaboration would be important on national level e.g. among the ScotWind wind developers to foster green hydrogen as a feasible offtake alternative to congested power grids.

The workshop served as an influential platform for industry leaders and experts to come together, paving the way for accelerated offshore hydrogen ramp-up in the North Sea. By harnessing the insights gained from these discussions, the path towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future is steadily being forged.

During the event, Magnus Killingland from DNV delivered an engaging keynote presentation, sharing valuable insights from the latest offshore feasibility studies and highlighting key findings.

Led by Managing Director Meiko Neumann and Project Engineer Meryem Maghrebi from cruh21, along with Christoph Nolden from Fraunhofer IEG, four working groups focused on identifying success factors for offshore hydrogen ramp-up.

Throughout the workshop, stimulating discussions and a constructive exchange of ideas displayed the dedication and enthusiasm of the participants and exemplified the commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and achieving a greener future.

The working groups synthesized the following key takeaways as a basis for offshore hydrogen ramp-up:

 Norway should embrace offshore hydrogen as the next phase in the life cycle of its offshore oil and gas industry, promoting its development accordingly.

 Careful planning of sea areas for hydrogen production is crucial, ensuring proximity to future demand centers and available transport options. Favoring locations closer to the southern border of the Norwegian Sea is recommended.

 It is essential to establish a regulatory framework for permitting and technical standards promptly. This will provide guidance for development and foster bankability within the industry.

 Norway possesses a unique opportunity to leverage new export hydrogen pipelines, such as those connecting to the German market, thus contributing to the expansion of the blue hydrogen sector.

Hanne Marit Grønning Strand, Head of Department Stakeholder Relations & Energy at the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce said:

“Offshore hydrogen production in the North Sea can provide a cost-effective and reliable source of energy across borders. Norway has set high ambitions for offshore wind and has significant potential for hydrogen production, making it an ideal location for offshore hydrogen projects. Exchange of knowledge and experience across borders will be essential to further the development of offshore hydrogen as it hasn’t gained much attention yet.

Norway and Germany are close partners within the energy industry and are collaborating to increase production of renewable energy and to develop green industry. The German-Norwegian Chamber of commerce is facilitating platforms where companies can establish lasting networks, exchange ideas, and develop projects which are supporting the political ambitions. We see the MOHN project as an important project and arena, for both us and our network, to understand the potential and challenges of offshore hydrogen.”

Tor Kristian Haldorsen, Lead Advisor Government Relations at the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum, said:

“Offshore hydrogen is an interesting technological opportunity that so far has received little attention in Norway. However, Norway has with its prominent oil and gas industry a long tradition in the development of offshore energy infrastructure and will probably keep this role also in the future. We are now about to build out our offshore wind capacity with 30 GW towards 2040, and there is political agreement to collaborate on developing a value chain for large scale hydrogen exports between Norway and Germany. Further developments both on offshore wind and hydrogen must of course take into account plans and developments in our surrounding countries to develop a holistic and coordinated infrastructure build-out that ensures a well-functioning market for both electricity and hydrogen. Producing hydrogen offshore and transporting it in pipes to the mainland might be the most cost-effective solution in comparison to transporting electricity by cable. It is therefore important for us to understand the potential of offshore electrolysis as well as its challenges.

To us, the MOHN project is an important platform for information sharing across borders. We can learn about and discuss concrete plans for renewable energy and hydrogen development in the countries surrounding the North Sea, as well as get a common understanding of challenges. As a partner, we also wish to contribute with our network and resources to enable the research team to develop valuable insights into how we can accelerate offshore hydrogen in the most effective manner.”

Jason Paterson, project Manager at the Net Zero Technology Centre, said:
“Offshore hydrogen production in the North Sea will be critical to unlocking renewable resources in the region and has the potential to provide a safe, secure and affordable energy source to Northwest Europe. Achieving this requires joined-up thinking on how to produce and transport electrons and molecules across maritime boundaries. The MOHN project is a crucial first step towards infrastructure and regulatory optimisation for the region.”

Meiko Neumann, Managing Director at cruh21, said:
“Cross-border alignment in the North Sea region is the foundation of the MOHN project. We are happy to have an organisation with the expertise of the Net Zero Technology Centre as a Lead Stakeholder for UK. We are very keen to gain precious insights through this collaboration.”

The workshop about the role of offshore electrolysis in German and Norwegian waters, organized by the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Norwegian Embassy in Berlin and Norsk Hydrogenforum was organized on the 12^th of January 2023. Project manager, Meiko Neumann, had the pleasure of presenting the MOHN project and discussing the main obstacles and opportunities to accelerate the market ramp-up across the North Sea.

The great potential of the North Sea in terms of production and transport of green H₂ was at the heart of the discussions and this workshop was organized at the right time. Through the MOHN project, cruh21 is actively promoting a much-needed cross-country cooperation in offshore hydrogen.