Introduction

Hydrogen is a promising energy source for the decarbonization of logistics. With its high energy content and emission-free combustion to water vapor, it offers numerous advantages, but also poses challenges in terms of transport and storage.

Technological foundations and challenges

Hydrogen has three times the energy content of natural gas, which makes it an efficient energy source. However, its low molecular weight is problematic as it leads to high diffusion and special storage requirements. Hydrogen also has a low ignition threshold and high combustion speed, which poses risks if handled improperly.

Color theory of hydrogen production

• Green hydrogen: Is produced by electrolysis using renewable energies and is CO2-neutral.
• Blue hydrogen: Is obtained from natural gas, whereby CO2 is bound by means of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
• Turquoise hydrogen: Produced by pyrolysis of natural gas or biomethane, with solid carbon as a by-product.

National hydrogen strategy

The German government is intensively promoting the production and use of green hydrogen. The National Hydrogen Strategy aims to create plants with a total output of ten gigawatts by 2030. The government is also supporting the development of a hydrogen infrastructure and industrial use with seven billion euros.

Application in logistics

Logistics companies can benefit from hydrogen in many ways. Large warehouses and distribution centers offer ideal conditions for photovoltaic systems that produce green hydrogen. Hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles offer numerous advantages thanks to their short refueling time, long range and emission-free operation. According to McKinsey, the operating costs for such vehicles will be lower than for conventional drives from 2030.

H2 Accelerate Initiative

Major OEMs and hydrogen suppliers are working together under the name H2 Accelerate to promote the use of hydrogen in heavy goods transport in Europe. In the first phase of the project, 29 hydrogen filling stations and 150 fuel cell trucks are to be set up to demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen transportation.

Hydrogen offers enormous potential for the logistics sector, particularly with regard to meeting emission standards and improving the cost structure. Companies should carry out a comprehensive assessment of their individual requirements in order to implement the use and/or production of hydrogen in an economically and technically viable way.