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Short abstract:

Lately, the use of (green) hydrogen (H) has been discussed as a key solution for the future heat transition, e.g. as part of the upcoming municipal heating plans in Germany. This contribution sheds light on potential conflicts and ambiguities in future local H transitions pathways.

Long abstract:

Within the energy transition, the heat transition remains one of the biggest challenges. In Germany, heat supply accounts for more than 50 percent of total final energy consumption and is responsible for a large proportion of CO2 emissions. Lately, the use of (green) hydrogen technologies has been widely discussed as a key solution for the future energy transition. However, the limits of producing and using hydrogen for sustainable housing has been the subject of much controversy. As a pioneering policy instrument based on local conditions, municipal heating plans are intended to identify the best and most cost-efficient way to achieve a climate-friendly and progressive heat supply locally. Thus, the future of hydrogen for the heat transition will be shaped by municipal heating plans that are to be drawn up in the next years.

This case study focuses on one of the biggest coal regions of Germany, Lusatia. In this area hydrogen infrastructure projects are currently being massively promoted and built. However, the transformation from coal to renewable infrastructures is accompanied by multiple conflicts. My research aims to identify the contradictions and conflict dynamics of current hydrogen plans in the heating sector in the context of local transformation conflicts. How are hydrogen futures currently negotiated in the heating plans of municipalities and which transformation ideas are implicitly or explicitly invoked? How does the identity of the past and future energy region impact the local transition to green hydrogen? I will present first results from interviews with municipal decision-makers.