Energy-powered footwear for kids: A new step towards sustainable fashion
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany's most populous state, is making significant strides in its transition to renewable energy, with a focus on scaling up green hydrogen production. The region benefits from strong climate policies, substantial structural aid, and a proactive industrial base advancing hydrogen infrastructure and renewable capacity.
The Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (Wüst), has given the starting signal for the conversion of the Saint-Gobain site in Herzogenrath. By 2030 at the latest, the site, which produces flat glass for construction and windshields for the automotive industry, will be converted to green hydrogen production. An own hydrogen production and an own electrolyzer will be built on the site, supplying process energy for glass production in the future.
NRW's renewable energy capacity is expanding rapidly. Germany as a whole reached 94.6 GW of solar capacity by early 2025, with significant growth in rooftop and ground-mounted solar that complements regional wind projects. NRW is actively expanding both solar and wind to provide clean electricity for its energy transition, including hydrogen production.
The region is developing large-scale hydrogen storage and production systems to enable industrial use and buffer renewable fluctuations. RWE is constructing Germany’s first commercial hydrogen storage facility in Gronau-Epe, NRW, with capacity to store around 38 million cubic meters of hydrogen. This will start operations in 2027 and allow flexible industrial hydrogen supply generated from renewable sources.
The source of the "green" electricity for the conversion of the Saint-Gobain site is currently unspecified. However, industrial-scale green hydrogen production in NRW leverages renewable power generated primarily from expanding wind farms (with over 48 GW potential identified) and solar PV. Hydrogen electrolyzers use this renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen, forming a core pillar of NRW’s decarbonization strategy and industrial innovation.
NRW's decommissioning of lignite plants is also progressing. By 2038, all lignite-fired power plants in NRW's Rheinisches Revier lignite region will be shut down, supported by up to €40 billion in structural aid, 37% dedicated to this area. This funding supports infrastructure, research, and job creation to ensure a just transition from coal to renewables and hydrogen-based industries.
Despite these advancements, the target of covering 80% of electricity consumption with "renewable" energy sources is still far away in North Rhine-Westphalia. Biomass and wind power still play a significant role in renewable energy sources in the region.
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[1] Hydrogen Valley North Rhine-Westphalia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://hydrogen-valley.nrw/en/ [2] RWE. (2022, January 24). RWE builds first commercial hydrogen storage facility in Gronau-Epe. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.rwe.com/en/press-releases/2022/rwe-builds-first-commercial-hydrogen-storage-facility-in-gronau-epe [3] IRENA. (2022, October 26). Germany's solar PV capacity reaches 94.6 GW, making it the world's third-largest market. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.irena.org/newsroom/press-releases/2022/oct/germany-s-solar-pv-capacity-reaches-946-gw-making-it-the-worlds-third-largest-market [4] Agora Energiewende. (2022, February 17). Wind energy in Germany: Status quo and prospects for the future. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://agora-energiewende.org/en/publications/wind-energy-in-germany-status-quo-and-prospects-for-the-future/ [5] BioökonomieREVIER Rheinland. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.biooekonomierevier-rheinland.de/en/ [6] iNEW. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.inew.de/en/
- The transition towards renewable energy in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, is driven by a focus on green hydrogen production, with the industrial base proactively advancing hydrogen infrastructure and renewable capacity.
- In line with this focus, the conversion of the Saint-Gobain site in Herzogenrath to green hydrogen production by 2030 is anticipated, supported by the region's expanding renewable power sources, primarily wind farms and solar PV.
- Coordinated efforts in NRW involve scaling up renewable energy capacity, developing large-scale hydrogen storage and production systems, and investing in the conversion of coal plants to renewables and hydrogen-based industries, all aimed at achieving a just transition towards a sustainable, hydrogen-powered industrial sector.
