Economic policy for the next generation

Discussion evening at the MTC

What role can hydrogen play in the energy transition?  And what can transatlantic cooperation contribute?

Green hydrogen is needed for the energy transition. Dr. Franziska Brantner, Member of the German Bundestag and Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMWK, and Dr. Frank Mastiaux, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Dresden-based hydrogen specialist Sunfire and former CEO of the energy company EnBW, were quick to agree on this at the talk at the Mark Twain Center. Pragmatism is needed on the path to responsible use, he said, including the use of blue hydrogen - often produced through the use of fossil fuels.

Under the expert guidance of Bastian Hermisson, head of domestic affairs at the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the two experts discussed fundamental issues such as the role of government and business in the restructuring process. Brantner is concerned with the diversification of supply chains in order to avoid one-sided dependencies as in the past. Mastiaux sees Germany as a technology leader; a role that should be further promoted by the state.

Yasmin Nicholas and Blake Healey, exchange students in the American Junior Year (AJY) program at Heidelberg University, inquired: In the second part of the talk, both took a look at the economic policy initiatives of the Biden administration and the planned restructuring of the energy supply in the USA. Both Brantner and Mastieux see more opportunities than risks for the German economy. The discussion with the audience also focused on the potential of hydrogen and possible areas of application beyond large-scale industries and the observance of human rights in the design of new supply contracts with foreign players.