Ideology or reality? In Germany, I fear regulations and rules are currently far too much determined by wishful thinking or ideological limitations.
At the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) e.V. New Year's reception, Friedrich Merz spoke about the bureaucratic hurdles that limit our economies. Absolutely right, especially the ones that limit our energy system to technologies not yet capable of meeting demand.
There are technologies available NOW that can significantly reduce emissions and support energy demand.
A perfect example for regulations that stop Germany from achieving its climate targets and a successful energy transition is the use of Renewable Natural Gas #RNG for transportation.
#RNG, or known in Germany as #biomethane, is already produced at scale, for example, at dairy farms. A proven technology in Germany and around the world for years. Even with Germany leading the RNG production with system development and system manufacturing. One of the hidden “Exportschlager” from Germany.
In many countries, RNG is used to reduce emissions for transportation, the so called “direct use” – it can even be carbon negative! A great example is its use in public transportation, bus services or heavy-duty trucking.
In Germany however, RNG is used to generate green electricity. RNG directly used as a fuel, for example for heavy-duty or long-haul transport is far more effective and efficient. Germany and Europe are not recognizing the countless environmental and social benefits of RNG - instead actively and through legislation preventing its broad adoption.
In Europe, the only idea is to promote green electricity for all kinds of mobility applications without the openness for other technologies or the real need of the market.
Even if it means using electricity created by fossil fuels, or at the expense of turning already usable green energy into an entirely different molecule for no real benefit. Electricity will be a great option for heavy-duty trucking in 10-15 years – when we have solved charging, grid and range challenges...
But we need to start decarbonising the transportation sector now, not in a decade!
Within our Hexagon Composites Group - Fuel Systems and Mobile Pipeline solutions are supporting the direct use of hydrogen, CNG, RNG, Biomethane, LNG today.
We need to be able to use all solutions that are available now, that are economically viable and reduce CO2 emissions from point of deployment – and not prevent them by legislation!
