The Hydrogen Society
Hydrogen will be one of the main energy carriers in a decarbonized, sustainable future. Worldwide, more and more countries are striving to evolve towards a so-called hydrogen society: A society with low-cost and zero-emission production of hydrogen, a distribution infrastructure, and applications in the industrial, mobility, heating and power sectors. The transition to a hydrogen-based energy system will be a Herculean journey affecting all dimensions of our society. Comprehending this global transformation requires interdisciplinary, technical, social, ecological, and political engineering. We want to initiate this step together with you. Lectures by high-profle speakers, interactive workshops and real-world case studies show you the opportunities and challenges of a sustainable future. A tour through our laboratories and a field trip will additionally give you a hands-on insight into the world of hydrogen in research and industry. During the two weeks, you will learn about the interconnections of an internationally networked hydrogen society, plan your "HydroGrid" and present your concept developed in the Summer School to experts.
Day 1-3: Introduction of the concept of a "Hydrogen Society"
- Sustainability strategy, life cycle assessment, socio-economic and political issues
- Development of your first own vision of an international hydrogen society
Day 4-5: Hydrogen generation and distribution
- Technological development, economics, and emissions of different generation methods, e.g. electrolysis or steam reforming
- Transportation and storage (pipelines, tanks) and storage media (hydrogen carriers) to ensure a hydrogen supply
Day 6-7:
Applications of hydrogen
- Mobility, industry, and end users, e.g. fuel cell cars or steel production with hydrogen
- Integration of hydrogen applications into society considering safety and social acceptance
Day 8-9: Elaboration of the "HydroGrid" concept
- Planning and evaluation of a hydrogen supply and distribution strategy on a global and local scale based on the knowledge acquired in the Summer School
- Practical insights through laboratory tour/excursion
Day 10: Final presentations of the “HydroGrid” concepts to experts
Time period: 25.09.2023 – 06.10.2023
Format: Block event- presence (NGP², Forckenbeckstraße 51)
Morning session (9:00 – 12:00) and afternoon session (13:00-17:00 Uhr)
Language: German (English knowledge required)
Participant profile: open to all students with interest to technical problem sets
Maximum number of participants: 20 students