Launch of Global Energy Solutions e.V.
Energy and Climate Partnerships of Tomorrow
On August 27, 2020, marking the 250th birthday of philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, the association “Global Energy Solutions e. V.” was officially founded at a ceremony in Ulm City Hall, initiated by the FAW/n.
The association will conduct analyses on current global energy, climate, and development issues, develop solutions in cooperation with industrial partners, and evaluate business cases. Its main focus areas include green hydrogen – together with the large quantities of renewable energy required – methanol, and its derivative products (e.g., synthetic fuels, Power-to-X). Another key area of work will be national and European regulatory frameworks related to these topics.
The association’s activities are carried out in partnership with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and form part of the broader initiatives in Baden-Württemberg and the Ulm region related to hydrogen technologies:
“If the association succeeds in initiating the construction of such plants worldwide, it will create the jobs of the future,” said Norbert Barthle, Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMZ, who described green hydrogen as the “oil of the future”.
“A good day for Ulm, a good day for the region,” added Dr. Jan-Stefan Roell, President of the Ulm Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Ulm), who marked the launch by donating €5,000 to the association.
Representing the State of Baden-Württemberg, Dr. Uwe Lahl, Ministerial Director at the Ministry of Transport, attended the event. Both he and Ulm’s Lord Mayor Gunter Czisch described the founding of Global Energy Solutions e. V. as an important milestone.
As with the Desertec initiative, the use of the world’s major sunbelt deserts plays a key role in the cost-effective production of vast quantities of renewable energy. This connects directly to the BMZ’s Marshall Plan with Africa, as the project also seeks to foster a future-oriented, partnership-based industrial and innovation policy between Europe and Africa. It also involves leveraging Africa’s potential in reforestation, humus formation, and rainforest protection – all part of “nature-based solutions”. These approaches remove CO₂ from the atmosphere (so-called negative emissions), making a significant contribution to climate protection while simultaneously supporting development aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The unique features of the association include its emphasis on the key role of methanol, the concept of multiple CO₂ recycling and circular carbon use, its international scope, its strong development focus, and its commitment to climate neutrality – achieved through CO₂ compensation using nature-based solutions.
Christof von Branconi, former board member of Lurgi, was elected as Chairman of the six-member board. Prof. Dr. Franz Josef Radermacher, Director of the Research Institute for Applied Knowledge Processing (FAW/n) in Ulm, was appointed Deputy Chairman.
Further Information
Video of the founding ceremony on YouTube
Video der Gründungsveranstaltung auf YouTube
Greeting from the German Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Dr. Gerd Müller
Report on the founding ceremony on RegioTV (starting at minute 3:45)
SWR interview with Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. h.c. Franz Josef Radermacher
Press release from the City of Ulm
Image source: © Bert Beyers
