The energy partnership between bayernets GmbH, Bayerngas GmbH, MEGGLE GmbH & Co KG, RAG Austria AG and Shell Energy Deutschland GmbH has been implemented to promote the hydrogen ramp-up in Europe. As part of a specific project, the processes for the entire value chain are to be established across borders and implemented for the first time using the current framework conditions and rules. The declared goal is to establish a hydrogen supply chain via Austria to Bavaria and thus create the conditions for the further path into the hydrogen future and to demonstrate the necessary adaptations at legal and operational level.
To achieve climate targets or to diversify energy imports: Hydrogen is a key to a strong, sustainable and future-orientated energy supply and a crucial component in the future climate-neutral energy mix. This is the only way the cross-generation project of energy transition can succeed.
More and more companies, especially in the energy-intensive sector, are gradually switching to the flexible energy carrier hydrogen. This will drastically reduce CO2 emissions and reduce dependence on imports. It is now essential to establish a high-performance hydrogen supply chain and drive forward the hydrogen ramp-up throughout Europe. International, cross-sector energy partnerships such as the "H2 cross border" project between RAG Austria, bayernets, Bayerngas, MEGGLE and Shell Energy Deutschland are making an important contribution to this. "What counts now is speed and expertise. The aim of the project is to demonstrate the first cross-border use of hydrogen so that sufficient green energy is available over the year for electricity, heat, industry and mobility," emphasises Markus Mitteregger, CEO of RAG Austria AG. Matthias Jenn, Managing Director of bayernets GmbH, adds: "The “H2 cross border” project shows how hydrogen production and consumption can be connected. In this way, we want to make a significant contribution to the ramp-up of the hydrogen business in Bavaria."
"For MEGGLE, hydrogen is an essential part for a future-oriented and sustainable energy supply. As a globally orientated company, we are promoting the use of hydrogen via the cross-border project. For MEGGLE, this energy partnership represents a first and important step towards an emissions-reduced and emission-free future." Matthias Oettel, CEO of the MEGGLE Group GmbH
"Hydrogen will be an essential part of the energy transition. We are delighted that we as Shell Energy Deutschland GmbH can be a partner in the "H2 cross border" project and make our contribution to supplying the Meggle Group GmbH with hydrogen." Sonja Müller-Dib, Managing Director of Shell Energy Deutschland GmbH
RAG Austria AG in Pilsbach (Upper Austria) has been producing hydrogen since 2015 as part of its research into seasonal energy storage, now also certified as green hydrogen by TÜV Süd. In a further step, RAG Austria has successfully registered its hydrogen production plant in the Austrian biomethane register and in the guarantee of origin database. This means that, for the first time in Austria, proof of the produced hydrogen quantities will be provided. The German project partners bayernets, Bayerngas and Shell are working on making logistics and transport hydrogen-ready, as well as implementing the distribution of hydrogen and the documentation of proof of hydrogen quantities and qualities in a corresponding database in Germany. For the first time, green hydrogen will be supplied across borders from Austria to Bavaria. Hydrogen will be delivered from the producer RAG to the customer MEGGLE and used in its production process, thereby reducing emissions.
Since mid-2021, the project partners have been examining the legal framework and technical requirements for cross-border hydrogen transport in order to identify existing (including regulatory) challenges, overcome them by proposing concrete solutions and thus make the supply chain from production to the end consumer a reality.
Production and storage of green hydrogen using the water electrolysis plant in Pilsbach (Lehen)
Utilisation of the existing TÜV SÜD CMS70 certification
Plant registration in the Austrian biomethane register and guarantee of origin database
Injection into the grid as part of an admixture with natural gas in compliance with the gas quality requirements specified by the grid operator
Transport from Austria to Bavaria
Delivery to the customer
Issuing guarantees of origin for green hydrogen via the guarantee of origin database in Austria
Cross-border transfer of guarantees of origin from Austria to Germany*
* Cross-border transfer of guarantees of origin is currently not possible, as the systems currently available in Germany and Austria are not compatible yet.
The "H2 cross border" project and its project partners have the goal to accelerate the market ramp-up of green hydrogen in Central Europe. Renewable electricity and hydrogen production is to be increased, storage volumes in Austria and Germany expanded and adaptations made in the gas transport to Central Europe. This will make it possible to make a significant contribution to reducing emissions by using hydrogen instead of fossil fuels in production processes.
RAG Austria AG was the first company in the world to store hydrogen in existing underground porous reservoirs, thereby demonstrating that summer sun can be stored in the form of hydrogen and thus brought into the winter on a large scale. This means that production and consumption can be decoupled - an essential prerequisite for the functioning of a renewable energy system.
Since 2015, this research facility in Pilsbach (Upper Austria) has also been operating a hydrogen production plant, which now produces certified green hydrogen. Since 2023, RAG has also been operating a much larger demonstration storage facility in Rubensdorf (also in Upper Austria) with around 1.6 million cubic metres of working gas volume of hydrogen.
"Due to its excellent storage capacity, the gaseous energy carrier can make an important contribution to security of supply. What is needed now is a boost for hydrogen electrolysis in order to be able to produce hydrogen in economically relevant quantities. This also requires the appropriate regulatory framework and investment incentives," emphasises Mitteregger.
bayernets GmbH transports gas efficiently through a gas transport network that is around 1,660 kilometres long. The company plays a key role in ensuring the long-term security of supply in its own network area. As a transmission system operator, bayernets GmbH is actively involved in optimising and expanding the gas transport network in Germany in line with demand. bayernets GmbH is involved in the implementation of the energy transition and is helping to shape the future of the energy system as a competent partner.
Bayerngas GmbH is the parent company of the Bayerngas Group. The Group has been active in the German energy market along the gas value chain for almost six decades. The Group is active in the business areas of gas procurement, gas sales and gas trading, pipeline operation and marketing of network capacities, gas storage operation and marketing of storage capacities as well as technical services. Bayerngas GmbH holds a financial interest in the area of fibre optic infrastructure.
The MEGGLE Group GmbH, headquartered in Wasserburg am Inn, with its six production sites worldwide, is one of the most renowned manufacturers of branded products in the food and processing industry. In the Consumer Products division, dairy products, bakery products and plant-based products stand for ultimate flavor and convenience. For the pharmaceutical and food processing industries, MEGGLE produces additives and high-quality dry products, such as lactose, and distributes them globally in the Ingredients division.
Shell has a global ambition to become a net-zero emissions energy company by 2050 and is investing billions of dollars in low-carbon energy, including electric vehicle charging stations, hydrogen, renewables and biofuels. Present in Germany since 1902, Shell today employs more than 4,800 people in research, production and sales of energy solutions for private mobility and home energy as well as energy and chemical products and fuels for almost all industries and sectors. The company is successively changing its portfolio with a view to customer needs in order to advance the energy transition with lower-CO2 and CO2-free energy solutions.
