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Fuel cell competencies in Hessen
The Hessian economy is characterized by a strong industrial and service sector. It is Germany’s leading financial and banking location. The European Central Bank and several german banks are based in Frankfurt/Main, likewise the branches of important industrial associations of the chemical industry, electrical and mechanical engineering industries. Numerous foreign companies have established their branch offices in this geographic and transportation centre of Europe. Frankfurt airport is one of the most important international hubs in air traffic. As a result of its industrial structure, Hessen offers excellent preconditions for the development and marketing of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Measured by their sales revenues, the five most important branches of the Hessian industry are the chemical/ pharmaceutical industry, followed by the car industry, electrical engineering, mechanical and plant engineering, and metal production and processing. These five branches are crucial drivers for the development and production of fuel cell products and services. For these industries, Hessen is both the location for production as well as for research and development. The state of Hessen has for many years supported and promoted developments and activities in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The coalition contract of the government of the state of Hessen for the years 2009–2013 guarantees the continued support of hydrogen and fuel cells as an ecofriendly technology. Apart from that, representatives of the Hessian industry, science, and society have formed the association “H2BZ-Initiative” with the goal of advancing the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in Hessen and thereby to strengthen the position of Hessen as an industrial and scientific location. All these activities are coordinated by the Hessen Agentur on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment and for Energy, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
These regions are: • Northern Hessen with the centre in the region of Kassel • Central Hessen with the core area in the LahnDill district/Gießen • Southern Hessen with the core area in the Rhine-Main district. Apart from these regional activities, companies, universities, and research facilities in Hessen cooperate on a national, European, and international level in hydrogen and fuel cell projects with a large number of German and European partners.
FUEL CELL INDUSTRY IN HESSEN: LOCATIONS OF COMPANIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS
Companies Research institutions
Kassel
Gießen
Darmstadt
Greater Frankfurt
A look at the various hydrogen and fuel cell activities in Hessen reveals three core regions and the formation of clusters. In these regions one can notice a close cooperation between industrial companies, universities, and research institutions with the goal of promoting this technology.
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