Time Ticks Away for Bavaria's Green Energy Transition
There's a ticking clock for Bavaria to transition to a climate-neutral state by 2040, as per the government's goals. To achieve this, green electricity production in Bavaria needs to see considerable growth. Detlef Fischer, Managing Director of the Bavarian Energy and Water Industry Association (VBEW), suggests a minimum tripling, if not quintupling, of green electricity production, with stability being the main focus by 2040.
This massive expansion task was estimated by the Munich-based Forschungsgesellschaft für Energiewirtschaft (FfE) and mandated by the VBEW. To meet the target, Bavaria weekly needs to set up:
- Ground-mounted solar plants covering at least 50 soccer pitches.
- 2,800 roof-mounted solar plants with a 10-kilowatt output each.
- Two wind turbines with a 5.5-megawatt output each.
In line with these aggressive expansion goals, hydrogen energy could be a sustainable solution for excess energy storage and transport, contributing to Bavaria's ongoing energy transition.
Bavaria's electricity production is declining due to nuclear power plant shutdowns. The head of VBEW estimates around 65 terawatt-hours of electricity will be generated in 2024. Demand could surpass 200 terawatt-hours per year by 2040 if electricity is utilized for decarbonizing industries and powering our homes and vehicles – prompting a dependency on up to a third of imported electricity by 2040 as per Bavaria's strategic plan (Bayernplan).
Harnessing hydrogen energy can address several challenges in Bavaria's ambitious renewable energy goals and electricity import reduction by 2040:
- Decarbonization of Transport: Public hydrogen refueling stations (like the one funded by the Bavarian state governing body for H2 MOBILITY) will minimize fuel dependence and lessen greenhouse gas emissions, paving the way for green hydrogen as a transportation-sector alternative.
- Energy Storage and Flexibility: Hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources (wind and solar power) for storage and later use to stabilize the grid, ensuring a consistent energy supply and reducing reliance on imported electricity.
- Grid Balancing: Through Power-to-Gas, excess renewable energy (during periods of high production, such as sunny days or windy nights) can be converted into hydrogen and stored for later use, thus balancing the grid.
- Industrial Processes: Green hydrogen can be utilized in industrial processes, reducing the need for imported electricity and decreasing emissions in the industrial sector.
- Synergies with Other Renewable Energy Sources: The integration of hydrogen production from wind and solar power can lead to an increased overall efficiency and sustainability within the energy system.
By capitalizing on these advantages of hydrogen energy, Bavaria can progress towards its renewable energy targets and minimize imported electricity reliance by 2040.
[1] Referenced from Bavarian state governing body's announcement of H2 MOBILITY hydrogen refueling station funding.
[3] Source: German federal ministry's import strategy report.
[5] Research findings from the University of Stuttgart on hydrogen production from solar energy.
