Hydrogen for Industrial SMEs – Unlocking the Potential

Hydrogen for SMEs – Practical Examples from Energy-Intensive Industries
Clear message from the October 5th event: Hydrogen is essential for SMEs in North Rhine-Westphalia

On October 5, the event “Hydrogen for SMEs – Practical Examples from Energy-Intensive Industries” delivered a clear message: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in North Rhine-Westphalia need hydrogen – and can play a significant role in scaling up the hydrogen market. However, current regulatory frameworks still present barriers. To firmly establish hydrogen in the SME sector, easier access to funding programs and connection to the national hydrogen core network are needed.

“To meet the German government's climate targets, energy-intensive SMEs must have access to hydrogen,” said Lars Baumgürtel, Managing Director of the ZINQ Group and spokesperson for the Klimahafen Gelsenkirchen initiative. “SMEs can make a valuable contribution to the energy transition by using electricity or hydrogen flexibly to generate process heat. This enables the cost-effective use of surplus electricity and helps to relieve pressure on the medium-voltage grid. It is now up to the federal government to scale up this technology across the SME sector through targeted support and funding.”

Regional industrial initiatives like Klimahafen Gelsenkirchen are key players in the transformation, as they bundle the individual needs of local companies and promote innovation. The same applies to the Zukunft RuH2r initiative in Hagen, South Westphalia. Michael Bösebeck, authorised officer at C.D. Waelzholz GmbH & Co. KG, highlighted the importance of regional networks and cross-sector collaboration: “In South Westphalia’s SME-driven economy, early entry into the hydrogen transition will only succeed through local projects. These lighthouse-type initiatives – involving producers, transporters, and consumers – are vital to accelerating the development of a hydrogen economy. Many SMEs like Waelzholz have already taken important steps. To remain internationally competitive and protect jobs, the temporary additional costs must be offset by suitable funding programs tailored to family-owned businesses.”

During a panel discussion, Michael Theben (Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia) and Axel Bree (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) joined industry representatives to discuss the policy and regulatory conditions required to enable a future hydrogen economy. Tim Cholibois from electrolyser manufacturer Enapter AG and Philipp Wasmuth from transmission system operator OGE GmbH outlined how their companies plan to supply hydrogen to SMEs in the near future.

The October 5 event focused on facilitating dialogue between representatives of the regional SME sector and key industrial policy stakeholders. Such dialogues are already implementing practical transformation solutions with companies across Germany – strengthening the competitiveness of German industry as a whole.

“Hydrogen for SMEs – Practical Examples from Energy-Intensive Industries” was a joint event organised by the Klimahafen Gelsenkirchen business initiative, the North Westphalia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), the regional industrial initiative InIduIstrie – Gemeinsam.Zukunft.Leben., and the Advisory and Support Office for Regional Industrial Initiatives.

Contact:

Wolfgang Jung
Geschäftsführer, Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen GmbH
Munscheidstr. 14, 45886 Gelsenkirchen
Tel.: +49-173/2530406
E-Mail: jung@wipage.de