Hy.Summit.Rhein.Ruhr milestone on road to a hydrogen future
The showcase event on the Rhine and Ruhr in terms of the green energy transition impressively demonstrates that this region is and will remain the hydrogen capital of Germany. At the same time, it also emphasises the need for a rapid realisation of the hydrogen ramp-up.
- Innovative strength: Economics Minister Habeck sees the region as exemplary
- High attendance figures: 1000 guests in Hamm, Duisburg, and Bochum
- Positive response: Congress is established and will be held again in 2024
Hamm, Duisburg, Bochum, 19 September 2023 - Three days of intensive discussions, specialist presentations and networking: the Hy.Summit.Rhein.Ruhr is already halfway through marking a milestone on the road to the hydrogen future. The showcase event on the Rhine and Ruhr in terms of the green energy transition impressively demonstrates that this region is and will remain the hydrogen capital of Germany. At the same time, it also emphasises the need for a rapid realisation of the hydrogen ramp-up.
"Steel is making the energy and climate transition possible," says Bernhard Osburg, Chairman of the Executive Board of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG. "Not only are we giving a massive push to the development of a European hydrogen market with our enormous demand for hydrogen, which we are triggering with our transformation to low-carbon steel, and we are doing this from the heart of Duisburg. Steel is already indispensable for the energy transition: Without steel, wind turbines cannot turn, electricity cannot be transported, and electric cars cannot be charged or driven."
With over 1000 participants in Hamm, Duisburg and Bochum, the Hy.Summit.Rhein.Ruhr is an impressive testimony to the strength and sustainable orientation of the energy sector in the transformation process towards decarbonisation. The congress offered extensive networking opportunities with a gala in Hamm, opened by North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur, as well as high-ranking speakers in Duisburg, including Robert Habeck. In his keynote speech on the German government's hydrogen strategy, the Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action emphasised that the location and timing of the Hy.Summit.Rhein.Ruhr were no coincidence: "It's no secret that this region is becoming a hydrogen hub." A wide range of expert panels and workshops concluded the series on Wednesday (20 September) in Bochum.
The regional cooperation is promoted by the initiative of the economic development agencies from Bochum, Dortmund, Duisburg, Essen and Hamm as well as many sponsoring partners, the event is organised by the Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr association and is also supported by the Hydrogen Metropole Ruhr - a resilient hydrogen alliance.
"The Rhine-Ruhr region wants to become Germany's hydrogen capital. The Hy.Summit marketplace is just right for the regional exchange required for this. The event makes it clear that people here are ready to take on a leading role in Germany's transition to a hydrogen economy," said Prof. Dr Rasmus C. Beck, CEO of Duisburg Business & Innovation.
"We are confident that this summit will serve as a catalyst for the development of the hydrogen economy in the region and in Germany as a whole," said Pascal Ledune, CEO of the business agency of the City of Hamm, Impuls. "In our view, there is no way around the Ruhr region as a model region for hydrogen. There is a unique combination of manufacturers, users, and practical, cutting-edge research here. The spirit of optimism and cooperation is palpable throughout," explains Rouven Beeck, CEO of the Economic Development Agency of the City of Bochum. Andre Boschem, CEO of the Economic Development Agency of the City of Essen: "We have always emphasised that we are driving the H2 market ramp-up from the Rhine-Ruhr region - and we are impressively demonstrating this here." Friedrich-Wilhelm Corzilius, Deputy Managing Director for Economic Development Agency of the City of Dortmund, added: "There is no question that hydrogen is a key to the future after this series of events. The congress draws the map for Germany's hydrogen future and positions the Rhine-Ruhr region as its capital."
Now that the congress has successfully established itself as a central platform for the discussion and promotion of hydrogen technologies, the organisers look forward to welcoming you to next year's Hy.Summit.Rhein.Ruhr 2024.