At Hydrogen Day 2026 at Hochschule RheinMain – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the energy transition was the focus of information-sharing, discussion, and practical insights. Together with the Fraunhofer Hydrogen Competence Center Hesse (GreenMat4H2), a diverse program was organized—for high school students, interested members of the public, and experts from business, science, and politics.
In a lecture for high school students, professors Dr. Birgit Scheppat and Dr. Saskia Biehl demonstrated how the topic of hydrogen can be presented in a way that’s relevant to everyday life. By asking how much energy streaming on a cell phone actually consumes, they drew the students directly into the discussion. From there, the discussion moved on to the central issues of energy production and the role of hydrogen as a key component of a future, climate-friendly energy system. Through exciting experiments, laboratory engineer Georg Derscheid demonstrated the properties of the smallest element and how hydrogen can be produced.
Everything must be considered as a whole
Prof. Dr. Eva Waller, President of HSRM, opened the public dialogue with a welcoming address. Dr. Silke Wagener, a member of the National Hydrogen Council, Dr. Heinrich Lienkamp, Vice Chair of the H2BZ Initiative in Hesse, and Prof. Dr. Thomas Heimer, Professor of Innovation Management and former member of the Expert Council on Climate Issues, discussed how Germany’s energy system must be transformed to achieve climate neutrality. The discussion made it clear that the entire system must be considered, not just individual components, and that technological, economic, and political aspects must all be equally integrated into the transformation.
At the hydrogen roundtable, companies had the opportunity to present their projects, products, and solutions in the field of the hydrogen economy. The program was complemented by tips for successfully submitting an application for EU funding as well as research findings on the potential of Hesse’s industry for the hydrogen economy.
Hidden Champions from Hesse
The accompanying exhibition also generated a great deal of interest. Both indoors and outdoors, visitors were able to view hydrogen vehicles, a fuel cell, various products, and the solutions on display, and receive detailed explanations on-site.
Hydrogen Day Hesse 2026 provided a dynamic setting for discussions, new connections, and concrete impetus for the further development of the hydrogen economy in Hesse.
A big thank you goes to Hessen Trade & Invest and the H2BZ Initiative Hessen, which provided financial support for the event.