Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research invited three hydrogen initiatives to apply for €700 million in research grants, it said Jan. 13.

The projects — called H2Giga, H2Mare and TransHyDe — involve more than 200 companies across Germany focusing on offshore wind to hydrogen production, gigawatt-scale electrolyzer production, and hydrogen transport options. They were chosen after a competition in late 2020.

"Green hydrogen is a key resource for a climate-friendly Germany and sustainable growth," Minister of Education and Research Anja Karliczek said.

The funds are part of Germany's coronavirus recovery package and run from April 2021 to March 2025, the ministry said.

The H2Giga initiative comprises 112 partners, including key electrolyzer makers thyssenkrupp AG, Siemens Energy AG and SunFire GmbH, along with joint ventures between Linde PLC and ITM Power PLC, and MAN Energy Solutions SE and H-Tec Systems GmbH.

The H2Mare initiative is coordinated by Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA to explore and develop offshore production of green hydrogen through wind turbines.

Meanwhile, TransHyDe involves 89 partners, including RWE Renewables GmbH and gas grid operators GRTgaz SA, Open Grid Europe GmbH and ONTRAS - VNG Gastransport GmbH, exploring options to transport hydrogen.

Andreas Franke is a reporter with S&P Global Platts. S&P Global Market Intelligence and S&P Global Platts are owned by S&P Global Inc.