© GIZ
8.3 million tonnes of green hydrogen in 2050, 86.8 gigawatts of electricity from electrolysis, 434,000 new jobs and 19,000 kilotonnes of CO2 savings per year - these are the ambitious goals of Tunisia's hydrogen strategy, which was used to attract investment at the Hydrogene Dialogue in Nuremberg. In addition, the Bavarian-Tunisian innovation and technology hub for green hydrogen was presented to trade fair visitors and partnerships and collaborations were promoted, as these are a prerequisite for establishing the H2 hub in Tunis in the long term.
Exhibition stand at the Hydrogen Dialogue
As part of a cooperation project between Bavaria and Tunisia, 16 Tunisians from science, ministries and state-owned companies were invited to visit the Hydrogen Dialogue in Nuremberg. Together with the Tunisian partners, a stand at the Hydrogen Dialogue in Nuremberg was staffed by GIZ employees and a representative of the Tunisian Ministry of Energy.
Tunisia has enormous potential for renewable energies based on solar, on-shore and off-shore, good competitiveness thanks to an existing port infrastructure, sound technical expertise thanks to the Tunisian chemical industry and a favourable geographical location for the
European market.
These prerequisites allow the assumption that hydrogen can be offered at a price of 2-3 euros/kg from 2030. These advantages were presented to trade fair visitors during a "Guided Tour: Hydrogen Value Chain" and in country pitches. In addition, Prof Dr Chiheb Bouden, Head of the Bavarian-Tunisian H2 Hub, took part in a panel discussion on the topic of "Global energy partnerships: Between aspiration and reality".
Following the Hydrogen Dialogue, the participants from Tunisia had the opportunity to visit companies.
The Bavarian-Tunisian hub for green hydrogen
The activities of the Bavarian-Tunisian Innovation and Technology Hub, which was set up as part of the German Government and Federal States Programme, were also presented. The hub is currently in its second phase. The project is commissioned by the BMZ and co-financed by the Bavarian State Chancellery.
In Tunisia, the Bavarian-Tunisian hub for green hydrogen is based at the École Nationale d'Ingenieurs de Tunis (ENIT). In order to anchor the hub sustainably and permanently, partnerships are being sought in various sectors. These include collaboration with universities and research laboratories, the promotion of links between industrial clusters in Tunisia and Bavaria, international cooperation and information events in collaboration with NGOs and non-profit organisations.
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| Discussion with Prof Opferkuch from Esslingen University in the lab ©GIZ | Diskussion mit PhD Studenten im Labor der Hochschule Eppelheim ©GIZ |
Co-operation with universities and municipal partners
The head of the H2 Hub and the participating scientists were able to familiarise themselves with specific examples of H2 Hubs during visits to the universities in Esslingen and Eppelheim in Baden-Württemberg. The H2 hubs of the two universities are listed as examples in an organisational concept created for the Tunisian H2 hub. Based on this organisational concept and its recommendations, the Bavarian-Tunisian H2 hub is to be anchored at ENIT. The visit to the universities gave the participants an insight into how an H2 hub can be structured. The visit to the laboratories also provided insights into the research work and offered an opportunity to discuss future collaborations.
A joint barbecue with a hydrogen-powered grill rounded off the visit to Eppelheim.
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| Barbecue with a hydrogen-based barbecue in Eppelheim ©GIZ |
Visit to the Ingolstadt hydrogen region
IFG Ingolstadt AöR provided an opportunity to experience its hydrogen activities in Ingolstadt. Together with the IFG Head of Economics and Innovation, a representative of the Gunvor refinery in Ingolstadt and a professor from the University of Ingolstadt, the regional H2 economy and its challenges were discussed. The mobility concept was brought to life with a hydrogen-powered refuse collection vehicle, which three delegation members were able to ride to the H2 filling station. The refuelling process was discussed in detail with representatives of Ingolstadt's municipal utilities. The participants returned to Tunisia with important new contacts and many impressions of technical solutions in the field of H2.
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| Visit to IFG in Ingolstadt © IFG Ingolstadt AöR | Besuch der H2-Tankstelle in Ingolstadt © IFG Ingolstadt AöR |
Author: Regina Tauschek