UAE commission Fraunhofer research institutes for National Hydrogen Strategy and research cooperation
During the official state visit of Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), both countries have taken another step to intensify their bilateral energy and hydrogen cooperation. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE announced the nomination of Germany’s leading Fraunhofer Research Institutes for the UAE National Hydrogen Strategy in partnership with the Australian consultancy GHD and supported by the Emirati-German Energy Partnership. Both countries have also committed to supporting strategic projects in the energy and industry field, including several flagship hydrogen projects.
The research cooperation between Fraunhofer Society and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the field of sustainable energy and applied hydrogen technology was already concluded in an agreement signed during the UAE visit of Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck on 21 March 2022.
The selection of Fraunhofer as scientific advisors by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to develop the UAE National Hydrogen Strategy is a huge step to enable research cooperation and exchange of knowledge and technology between the UAE and Germany. State Secretary Dr. Patrick Graichen emphasized: “Germany’s renowned Fraunhofer Society taking up research activities in the Emirates will support the UAE with their objective of transforming towards a knowledge- and innovation-based economy.” H.E. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of Energy and Petroleum Affairs for the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure further emphasised “The partnership with the Fraunhofer Research Institutes represents an important step towards encouraging international cooperation to accelerate the energy transition. The UAE is a firm believer that to achieve a just energy transition in line with the Paris Agreement, collaboration is paramount to shape a secure and sustainable future”. H.E. shared that “in this ambitious journey, the UAE National Hydrogen Strategy aims to support local Industries, build low carbon energy systems, support our international partners such as Germany in their decarbonisation efforts, and establish the UAE as a competitive global hydrogen exporter”.
Germany is well positioned as a technological leader in the area of hydrogen. Fraunhofer already supported the German government with its National Hydrogen Strategy and plays a key role for the development of innovative technology and policy strategies. The UAE National Hydrogen Strategy will be supported by Germany’s spearheading hydrogen research institutes, the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems IEG and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.
Prof. Dr. Mario Ragwitz, Co-Spokesman of the Fraunhofer Hydrogen Network and Director of the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems IEG, said: „Based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE and the Fraunhofer Society in March 2022 we are looking forward to intensify our cooperation and conduct research in the field of transforming energy systems and industries towards climate neutrality. Fraunhofer will in the next step support the development of the national hydrogen strategy of the UAE based on its broad experience in providing the scientific foundation for energy and climate strategies in Europe and globally.”
The Fraunhofer Society based in Germany is the world’s leading applied research organization. Prioritizing key future-relevant technologies and commercializing its findings in business and industry, it plays a major role in the innovation process. Founded in 1949, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany. Over 30,000 employees, predominantly scientists and engineers, work with an annual research budget of €2.9 billion.
Prof. Dr. Christopher Hebling, Co-Spokesman of the Fraunhofer Hydrogen Network and Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE emphasized: "The Fraunhofer Society is pleased to make a contribution to the ambitious goals of the UAE for climate neutrality by 2050 by helping to develop a National Hydrogen Strategy. The UAE hydrogen strategy is aiming at both the defossilization of the local energy system such as industry and the cooling and mobility sectors, and the development of sustainable energy carriers for export markets. We are pleased to be part of this important phase in the energy transformation of the UAE.“