HydroExchange: International research partnership develops solutions for the global hydrogen economy

The transformation to a globally networked hydrogen economy is one of the central challenges of the energy transition. It requires not only technological innovations, but also new forms of international cooperation. With the "HydroExchange" project, the University of Koblenz, together with the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, is establishing an international and interdisciplinary research partnership that addresses precisely this challenge.

The aim of the project is to analyse integrated hydrogen systems on an industrial scale in Germany and Australia on a comparative basis and to provide scientific support for the associated socio-economic transformation processes in regional contexts. The project combines engineering and chemical approaches to the development of efficient hydrogen technologies with social science analyses of stakeholder structures, regional networks and global supply chains.

Ideal conditions for international exchange

HydroExchange is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. "Hydrogen research thrives on international exchange - 'HydroExchange' creates the ideal framework conditions for this," emphasises Dr Miriam Voigt, academic in the transfer department at the University of Koblenz and project coordinator. A Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed between the University of Koblenz and the University of Western Australia to further strengthen joint research and scientific exchange in the long term.

"'HydroExchange' shows how important international and interdisciplinary research is for the success of the energy transition," says Prof Dr Simone Mascotto, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Koblenz. In addition to scientific synergies, the project also strengthens long-term institutional relationships - for example through mobility programmes, joint workshops and the networking of young academics.

Field studies in Western Australia

This year, four researchers from Koblenz were able to travel to UWA in Perth as part of the project to conduct field studies and expand their networks. Among other things, Prof Dr Robert Panitz (Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences) and Dr Miriam Voigt (University of Koblenz) visited the first microgrid plant for renewable hydrogen in Western Australia together with Australian colleagues. On site, they conducted interviews with representatives from politics, industry and academia, such as the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, various entrepreneurs and ministerial representatives.

The return visit from Australia took place over the past two weeks. Together with Prof Kirsten Martinus and Dr Daniel Schepis from the UWA, further field studies and interviews were conducted in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.

The degree of the stay was marked by a joint workshop at the University of Koblenz, where initial results were presented to the region and other scientists. These included a comprehensive media analysis of the general public's perception of green hydrogen, the identification of relevant innovation niches and an analysis of the role of universities as change agents in the hydrogen transition. With "HydroExchange", the University of Koblenz is sending a clear signal in favour of strengthening international research partnerships and helping to shape a sustainable, climate-neutral future through academic research.