Hydrogen in Austria

New methods for hydrogen production and storage are being extensively researched and tested across Europe. Austria spearheaded this movement during its EU Council Presidency by launching the Hydrogen Initiative. This motivated other EU member states to rethink their energy strategies and encouraged businesses and governments to collaborate on this vital issue.

As part of Mission 2030, Austria is currently working on a national hydrogen strategy, which includes eight focus areas: 

1. Enable a timely market ramp-up through flagship projects.
2. Create a level playing field for renewable hydrogen.
3. Establish incentives for future business models.
4. Create structures and raise awareness.
5. Promote hydrogen mobility.
6. Intensify research and development.
7. Establish a hydrogen platform to consolidate activities.
8. Strengthen Austria’s position at the European and international levels.
    

Regional hydrogen initiatives have been launched as well: 

• Tyrol: In January 2020, Tyrol published its Hydrogen Strategy. The strategy includes an action plan to create appropriate frameworks and initiate and implement hydrogen projects. Additionally, Tyrol has committed to the goals outlined in the Euregio Hydrogen Strategy, the H2 Masterplan of the European Region Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino: Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
• Carinthia: In summer 2019, Carinthia held its first Hydrogen Summit with experts and businesses from various sectors, including industry, economy, transport and mobility. A regional hydrogen strategy was commissioned, leading to the launch of the H2 Carinthia project, which was presented in July 2020. This project set the foundation for establishing a model region for sustainable green hydrogen.
• Styria: Strategy workshops are currently being held in Styria to develop a hydrogen strategy.
• Upper Austria: The Hydrogen & Carbon Management Austria Lab (HCMA Lab) is working on a strategic infrastructure project for sector coupling in Upper Austria.

Austria has several programmes promoting research and development of hydrogen technologies and their various applications:

• Energy Showcase Region: As part of the Climate and Energy Fund initiative, model solutions for intelligent, secure, and affordable energy and transport systems are being developed and showcased. These solutions show that an energy supply with up to 100% renewable energy is feasible and economically viable based on innovations from Austria. From 2018 to 2025, the Climate and Energy Fund, with up to 120 million euros funded by the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, is investing in three showcase regions. One of them is the Hydrogen Initiative Showcase Region Austria Power & Gas (WIVA P&G) with key players from research and the energy-intensive industrial sector.
• Zero Emission Mobility: This research and showcasing programme by the Climate and Energy Fund aims at developing solutions for an affordable, eco-friendly and efficient mobility system. It also promotes and develops infrastructure to make e-mobility accessible to a broader public.
• Future Mobility: This programme supports R&D projects in the mobility sector. It promotes sustainable mobility while minimizing the negative impacts of transport. Hydrogen is a key research topic within Vehicle Technologies, predominantly for developing alternative drives and energy carriers, as well as liquid and gaseous alternative fuels.
• Energy Research: The goal of this energy research programme is to increase the affordability of sustainable energy and innovative energy technologies and to establish and maintain technological leadership in innovative energies. Key areas include emerging technologies, energy efficiency, renewable energies, smart grids and storage.

HyPA - Hydrogen Partnership Austria – the partnership for hydrogen in Austria, powered by BMK, BMAW and the State Government of Tyrol