We are delighted to present the third edition of our interview format roeren inside.

With roeren inside, we give you an insight into the topics that move us in our projects. At the same time, we want to create a platform for reflection and joint discourse on current and forward-looking issues. Together with leading minds from the worlds of business and science, we shed light on key aspects of the areas of expertise that shape our day-to-day consulting work.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann in conversation with Maximilian Bedynek, Hydrogen Account Manager at TÜV SÜD

Hydrogen is regarded as one of the key energy sources of the future – provided that the framework conditions are right. While the hydrogen industry is growing steadily, there are still key questions regarding Germany as a business location: For example, what does safe and economical handling of H₂ look like? What regulatory hurdles do (manufacturing) companies need to consider? And how can the ramp-up succeed quickly?

Maximilian Bedynek, Hydrogen Account Manager at TÜV SÜD, is a central point of contact when it comes to questions like these regarding hydrogen. In an interview with our expert Dr. Sandra Grohmann, he explains the specific issues facing companies, why technological innovation alone is not enough and how industry, politicians and certifiers must work together to ensure a successful hydrogen future.

What promotes the ramp-up: Clear rules and a viable infrastructure for the hydrogen industry

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
Mr. Bedynek, before we get into the content, we are of course first interested in: What led you personally to the topic of hydrogen and what fascinates you about it in particular?

Maximilian Bedynek:
For me, hydrogen is the key to a sustainable and CO₂-neutral future. It combines renewable energies with a wide range of applications in industry, mobility and beyond. I grew up in the countryside and love nature. When I retire, I want the world to be at least as liveable as it is today. What particularly fascinates me about hydrogen is the actual innovative power that exists in this field worldwide and especially in Europe and Germany. Many clever minds are working on using hydrogen more efficiently and sustainably. That really excites me.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
I can understand that very well. Being active in the hydrogen industry makes it possible to make a sustainable contribution in a special way and to work in an interdisciplinary way. Let’s stay with Germany. What do you think makes the location particularly exciting for hydrogen?

Maximilian Bedynek:
Germany has a strong industry and we want it to stay that way. This requires a transformation. Germany has a clear hydrogen strategy, excellent research facilities and a very good regulatory framework. These are ideal conditions for taking a leading role in this field of technology. Hydrogen is also an excellent storage medium for surplus energy from wind, sun and water. Even if there is debate about its efficiency: Hydrogen can reliably store energy and thus help industry and mobility alike with the transformation.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
From your perspective, which industries are the focus of attention in Germany?

Maximilian Bedynek:
First and foremost, of course, is heavy goods and rail transportation. The automotive and steel industries are also major topics with potential.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
In line with the “Clean Hydrogen Ladder”, we are also observing numerous activities in the chemical industry, where there are great opportunities to replace blue and gray hydrogen with green hydrogen. The “chemical triangles”, in which many companies are currently still working with fossil variants, offer great potential. There is one overarching issue that affects all industries and applications, and you in particular: approvals and certifications. What is already working well and what are the biggest hurdles at the moment?

Maximilian Bedynek:
First of all, it should be noted that Germany has already achieved a great deal in terms of regulation, even by international standards. There are also numerous existing standards, such as ISO or ANSI from the USA. In practice, however, there are still major uncertainties: Which guideline applies and when? What exactly needs to be tested? Which materials may be used? Companies that have had little to do with hydrogen in the past in particular have many questions. This is exactly where we at TÜV SÜD come in. We support companies, help them to classify the requirements, test components and guide them through the entire certification process.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
Is there a question that you are asked particularly frequently by companies and customers?

Maximilian Bedynek:
Yes, and that is “Do I have to test this?”. Or we are asked “How exactly do I have to test this?”. These are typical initial questions. Many of our customers already have industrial experience, but not in dealing with hydrogen. They know that certifications are necessary, but not which ones specifically or how they can be carried out efficiently.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
Does that mean your work often begins before certification?

Maximilian Bedynek:
Exactly. Many customers initially come to us with the request to test a component. Is it suitable for hydrogen? Do we need to adapt something before we start the certification process? These preliminary stages are essential and often offer valuable optimization potential.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
How do you rate Germany in an international comparison?

Maximilian Bedynek:
Germany is very well positioned, no question about it. But there are countries that are faster in certain areas, such as approval processes. The Netherlands has already built up an impressive network, even in relation to the size of the country. Japan is a technological pioneer anyway and has a denser and better functioning hydrogen infrastructure than Germany. Germany needs to follow best practices, but is basically on the right track.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
The expansion of infrastructure is a fundamentally important issue that is being driven forward at national level as part of the hydrogen core network and at European level by the EHB. What are you observing with regard to infrastructure and mobility?

Maximilian Bedynek:
The mobility turnaround can only succeed with a targeted expansion of the infrastructure. I see enormous potential in heavy goods vehicles and rail transport in particular. At TÜV SÜD, we certify individual components, electrolyzers and _H2 engines as well as entire systems – for trains, for example. A lot is currently happening in the field of hydrogen trains. These are particularly interesting for non-electrified routes: they only emit water vapor or – if they are hydrogen combustion engines – nitrogen oxides filtered by an SCR catalytic converter. They also do not require overhead lines, have a long range and can be refueled quickly. Electricity is usually more efficient for routes that are already electrified – but where electrification is uneconomical, hydrogen can be a sensible alternative.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
How are companies behaving in the hydrogen market? Who is making progress and where, in contrast, is there hesitation in terms of the “first-mover disadvantage”?

Maximilian Bedynek:
The infrastructure sector is currently very active. This is of course also due to the fact that production and mobility are not possible without infrastructure. At the same time, however, we are also seeing that interest in the automotive sector is increasing again. The market is huge. From hydrogen production to use in transportation and industry. It’s difficult to say when the big ramp-up will come. But we are seeing growing interest from small companies to OEMs.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
In recent years, we have seen the hydrogen market grow and become increasingly mature, even if the ramp-up is not taking place at the speed and momentum originally expected. How optimistic are you that hydrogen will make its breakthrough?

Maximilian Bedynek:
I am very optimistic because I see a lot of commitment. Something is happening in the industry, in research and increasingly also in politics. What we need now are three things: clear regulatory guidelines, a functioning infrastructure and investment security for companies. If we implement these three points, the market will develop dynamically. The potential is certainly there.

Dr. Sandra Grohmann:
Thank you very much for this exciting exchange, Mr. Bedynek, and your personal insights.

Maximilian Bedynek:
Thank you. It was a pleasure.

About our guest

Maximilian Bedynek, Hydrogen Professional (Nano Degree), Bachelor Professional (CCI)
is a proven hydrogen expert at TÜV SÜD. As Account Manager, he is responsible for complex development and certification projects and has many years of industry experience in the fields of clean mobility and hydrogen technology. After training as a construction mechanic, he held various positions at Faurecia, including Global Benchmark Coordinator and Program Sales Manager. As an internationally active project manager and trained test mechanic, he combines technical know-how with economic understanding and strategic action. With his extra-occupational studies in hydrogen technologies, he is consistently pursuing his goal of actively shaping the energy transition.

Our roeren expert in the field of hydrogen

Dr.-Ing. Sandra Grohmann
is a project manager and expert in hydrogen technologies and the circular economy at roeren. With a doctorate in chemical engineering, she has over five years’ experience in the hydrogen industry and ten years’ experience in the manufacturing sector. Her focus is on the strategic development, industrialization and scaling of technical solutions in the production context. In the field of hydrogen, she advises companies along the entire value chain – from technology selection and process design to the implementation of specific applications. With her interdisciplinary way of thinking, she combines technological depth with economic relevance. She is enthusiastically committed to the market ramp-up of hydrogen as a key technology in the energy transition.