The delegation trip focused particularly on the topic of hydrogen. Essen is the energy capital of Europe, with around 13,300 employees and approximately 250 companies and institutions active in the energy sector in the Ruhr metropolis. Hydrogen represents a significant future opportunity for Essen, especially as a driver for the energy transition. Accordingly, the delegation comprised representatives from companies and organizations such as Westenergie AG, Stadtwerke Essen AG, E.ON Energy Solutions GmbH, E.ON Hydrogen GmbH, Gas- und Wärme-Institut Essen e. V., BRYCK GmbH & Co. KG, H2UB GmbH, Essener Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH, HPW – Holthoff-Pförtner Wassermann PartG mbB, NRW.Global Business GmbH, the City of Essen, and EWG – Essener Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft mbH.

“Houston has emerged as a leading innovator in the energy sector in recent years and has been chosen by the U.S. government as the only city to develop one of seven hydrogen hubs in the coming years. Essen can benefit from the expansion of this potential in the hydrogen sector. The delegation trip has taken us a significant step forward,” said Thomas Kufen, Mayor of the City of Essen.

“Mayor Thomas Kufen visited CERAWeek in Houston with an economic delegation. As the energy capital and a center of scientific expertise, Essen is well positioned to take a leading role in researching, developing, and implementing new technologies for a successful energy transition,” said Katherina Reiche, CEO of Westenergie AG and Chairwoman of the National Hydrogen Council of the German government.

Andre Boschem, Managing Director of EWG, added: “In Houston, we learned about pioneering hydrogen projects and gained insights into the plans and potentials of the USA. At the same time, we were able to showcase our own potential and position Essen companies and institutions as relevant cooperation partners.”

Reunion with H2 Start-up Varea Energy

Alongside forging new networks, there was also a reunion with old acquaintances. In the Ion District, an emerging innovation hub that brings together companies, start-ups, and academic communities, the Essen delegation met with the H2 technology company Varea Energy and its founder and CEO, Anna Dai. The start-up is advancing the development of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source by quantifying and identifying hydrogen reserves using seismic remote sensing. Anna Dai visited Essen last year as part of the EWG’s “HyTechCheck” incubator program, which supports young H2 technology scale-ups in entering the European market.

Additionally, visits to thyssenkrupp nucera and MAN Energy Solutions were on the agenda – companies headquartered in Germany with a presence in Houston. The networking evening hosted by the City of Essen in cooperation with the foreign trade promotion agency of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.Global Business, and the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States provided an opportunity to forge new contacts and deepen existing relationships.