Publication

Germany: Lead Market for Energy Storage and Fuel Cell Systems

Germany is taking the lead in both technologies as a market, development platform and export hub.

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Demonstration Projects & Initiatives

Demonstration projects are central to the development of energy storage and fuel cell technologies. They allow technological and economical possibilities to be tested, norms and standards to be developed, intellectual properties to be created, and critical market mass for production to be generated.

At present a number of public and private initiatives are cooperating in the development of energy storage technologies. This includes also fields like batteries, hydrogen, fuel cells in conjunction with smart grids, and e-mobility applications. Within Europe, Germany alone has the majority of European fuel cell and hydrogen technology demonstration projects.

• Fact Sheet - Energy Storage & Fuel Cell Systems: Demonstration Projects in Germany
• Fact Sheet - Green Hydrogen & Power to Gas

Policy Framework

The energy concept of the German government published in September 2010, sees different measures in order to incentivize the development of energy storage  The current EEG police grants a bonus for self consumption of PV energy and for the integration of wind power into the grid. Bonus and feed-in tariffs are available for fuel cells in the framework of the EEG Act and CHP Act.

"Ballard Power Systems has been putting fuel cell products to work in applications throughout the European Union. The expertise we found at Germany Trade & Invest has led us to the best matched partners and investment opportunities in the German marketplace." Michael Goldstein/ CCO, Ballard Power Systems

Market

Germany is the key player in Europe thanks to its leading position in terms of installed capacity of fluctuating renewables. In 2025, as much as 28 gigawatts of compensating capacity will be required to provide up to 40 terawatt hours of compensating capacity in Germany. At present, current storage capacities stand at around just 7 gigawatts.

The geography of Germany places significant restrictions on the possibility of developing new pumped storage capacity. This makes the use of new storage technologies and smart grids an imperative. According to the German Energy Agency (dena), investments in the two-digit billion range will be required if Germany intends to  meet its stated objective of 30 to 35 percent electricity consumption derived from renewable resources in 2020.  

Steps in the development of a hydrogen-infrastructure (2030 "moderate scenario") and Bio-methane in Germany (2010)

Research & Development

Two of the five focal points of the 6th Energy Research Program of the German government starting in 2011 will be energy storage methods and grid technology, as well as the integration of renewable energies into  the energy supply.

Applied research in particular will be ramped up; Fuel cell and hydrogen technology joint-funding initiatives have already been operable since 2007 within the framework of the National Innovation Program Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP). Funding of EUR 700 million makes this the biggest R&D and implementation program of its kind in Europe.

• Fact Sheet - Energy Storage & Fuel Cell Systems: R&D Institutes in Germany

Standard & Norms

The appropriate technological and financial checks and balances must be put in place for energy storage technologies and fuel cells to be properly implemented into the future energy supply system.  These important requirements can be served nationally, regionally and internationally through adequate provision of standards and norms.

Standardization activities are marked by the large number of players, regional and international activities, and the significant speed and economic effects of the various standardization activities in the areas of distributed generation, electromobility and smart grids. Thanks to internationally recognized institutions, Germany is developing and setting tomorrow’s global technical framework and standards.

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