GJWHD

Jordan is located in a region that is predestined for the production of green hydrogen due to the potential for renewable energies. In contrast to Germany, water resources that can form the raw material for hydrogen are available in limited quantities in Jordan. The country suffers from water stress. The overall objective of the project was to communicate experiences from the German water and wastewater sector to Jordanian stakeholders and to build up knowledge on the  connections between water as a resource and the production of hydrogen. In addition, German stakeholders were to gain insights into the framework conditions for a prospective hydrogen production in Jordan.  

The knowledge transfer took place within the framework of expert workshops lasting several days in Germany and Jordan. Excursions to relevant plant operators were also part of the workshop series. Due to  the complexity of the topic, representatives from different sectors and disciplines were involved in the project. In this way, different positions on the topic of hydrogen could be discussed. In the workshops, it was agreed that a hydrogen economy in Jordan should contribute to climate protection, but should not compete with other water users.

A hydrogen economy should provide economic impulses and contribute to energy security. The workshop participants considered the following aspects to be particularly desirable: the implementation of  pilot projects and feasibility studies as well as the successive development of a knowledge infrastructure and capacities. The information collected was compiled into ten fact sheets and edited into a final brochure. Furthermore, based on this information, the article "Implications of the Interrelations between the (Waste)Water Sector and Hydrogen Production for Arid Countries Using the Example of Jordan" was published in the journal Sustainability. 

In the course of the workshops, the participants articulated that a continuation of the exchange is definitely desirable. Future projects should therefore create appropriate space for exchange. For the development of further projects and sustainable business models with a focus on hydrogen in Jordan and other (semi-)arid countries, social acceptance should always be taken into account.