Transformation
We are shaping the future!
This is all about climate protection.
'Green gases' roadmap
Beyond the VNG 2030+ strategy, we are following our roadmap for commitment to renewable and climate-neutral gases. Based on specific projects and research priorities, this paves the way for the green transformation at VNG in the coming years. Where there is natural gas still flowing today, renewable gases can provide the same services in the future. These include the CO2-neutral energy sources hydrogen and biomethane, which are in particular demand in emissions-intensive industry and in heavy goods transport.
These 'green gases' are not only a guarantee for security of energy supplies, they also have a high climate protection potential at the same time. However, while the majority of final energy consumption comes from fossil fuels, 'green gases' currently account for less than one per cent of total gas consumption. This ratio must be reversed within the next few years and decades in order to advance the long-term German and European climate protection targets.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen has strong potential to become a key technology in the energy market over the long term. There are various processes that can be used to produce hydrogen. Depending on the type of generation and production-related CO2-emissions, a distinction is made between green, blue, turquoise and grey hydrogen. Currently, the most cost-effective hydrogen production process is natural gas steam methane reforming (SMR), as the production of green hydrogen from renewable energies via water electrolysis is associated with very high costs.
The hydrogen colour spectrum
Green H2
Hydrogen produced by electrolysis processes using renewable electricity in a CO2-neutral way. Alternatively, green hydrogen can also be produced from renewable biogas or biomethane, for example through steam reforming.
Blue H2
Hydrogen produced from natural gas by steam reforming. The resulting CO2 is stored in suitable geological structures by means of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Turquoise H2
Hydrogen obtained by splitting methane (pyrolysis). During production, instead of CO2, the end product is solid carbon, which can be stored and used in various industries.
Grey H2
Hydrogen obtained from fossil energy sources, the production of which produces CO2-emissions. One common process is steam reforming from natural gas.
Biomethane
Produced from organic residues and renewable feedstocks, biogas is already a key component of a reliable and low-carbon energy supply. Upgrading biogas to biomethane (also known as renewable natural gas) enables its injection into the existing natural gas grid, thereby helping to replace fossil natural gas. Thanks to its refinement to natural gas quality, biomethane can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels in passenger and heavy-duty transport, power and heat generation, as well as in industrial and commercial applications.
Biogas plays an important role in a decarbonized energy world. Together with BALANCE Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, a subsidiary of VNG AG and the infrastructure investor CVC DIF, and bmp greengas GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of VNG Handel & Vertrieb, we are actively driving the development of our business centered on this domestic energy source and thus accelerating our transition to renewable gases.
BALANCE Erneuerbare Energien
With more than 40 biogas plants, BALANCE Erneuerbare Energien GmbH is one of Germany’s leading biogas plant operators. Using renewable feedstocks and residual materials, BALANCE generates secure and flexibly controllable energy as well as innovative products throughout the entire biogas value chain.
bmp greengas GmbH
bmp greengas is one of Europe’s leading biomethane traders and an expert in renewable gases. Since 2007, bmp greengas has been supporting companies in transitioning to an energy supply based on biomethane, green hydrogen, bio-SNG, and bio-LNG sourced from European production.
Our role on the way to a green future
We want to actively shape the green transformation and accompany you as your strategic partner into the green future. To pave the way towards a decarbonised, climate-neutral energy industry, it is important for us as an organisation both to push ahead with the advancement of our established business areas relating to gas and to drive forward the transformation to new business segments. The implementation of the decarbonisation strategy brings with it a host of new projects, issues and challenges and requires cross-departmental thinking and proactive action to achieve our common goals. This lays the foundation for our future sustainable growth and for a climate-neutral future.
Energy park Bad Lauchstädt
The regulatory sandbox for the energy transition - intelligent generation of green H2 from wind power
Carbon management for industrial transformation
In addition to our activities and projects related to the ramp-up of renewable and decarbonized gases, we at VNG Handel & Vertrieb GmbH aim to actively support the transition to a low-carbon future through innovative approaches to carbon management.
Carbon management encompasses all technologies and approaches for reducing and safely handling carbon dioxide (CO₂) and can therefore make a significant contribution to reducing industrial CO₂ emissions and closing carbon cycles in the future.
Funding and Regulation
At the European level, the climate-neutral future of the energy industry is being actively promoted in order to achieve the European goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Instruments such as the Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) play a major role in the funding and regulatory landscape. But what exactly is behind it?
Carbon Contracts for Difference
Carbon Contracts for Difference are climate protection agreements between the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) and companies in emission-intensive sectors that are intended to make climate-friendly production processes marketable. How do the CCfD work in practice?
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism was introduced on October 1, 2023 in accordance with Regulation 2023/956 of the EU. As a part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” package, it aims to address the risk of greenhouse gas emissions leakage and thus contribute to the implementation of the Green Deal.
H2Global Foundation
As a founding member and member of the board of trustees, we support the non-profit and cross-sector H2Global Foundation and in doing so advance the promotion of hydrogen as the energy source of the future. The Foundation contributes to the achievement of the targets adopted in the National Hydrogen Strategy (NWS) in relation to the production and importation of green hydrogen. Through the efficient promotion of hydrogen production and international energy partnerships, a market ramp-up is to be achieved in the near future and thus the importation of green hydrogen to Germany is to be accelerated.
What's behind the foundation?
The H2Global Expert Commission works to ensure that a local hydrogen industry develops in partner countries at the same time as the hydrogen export industry is established, as a pillar of the local energy transition. The market-oriented promotional programme was initially designed by the Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and is now being further developed under the project sponsorship of the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (DWV) within the framework of an expert commission.
The H2Global Expert Commission is made up of representatives from German industry, the financial sector, associations and public institutions who jointly pursue the goal of shaping the H2Global concept until it is ready for implementation. The development, especially in the fields of organisational structure, processes, services, countries, products and funding, takes place in close coordination with GIZ and the BMWi along with industry.
Questions and Answers on the Green Transformation
VNG Handel & Vertrieb is shaping the green transformation in the energy sector with market expertise and a sense of responsibility towards its customers and partners.
Green gases such as hydrogen and biomethane are key building blocks for a sustainable energy supply. They enable companies to gradually replace fossil fuels, reduce CO2-emissions and, at the same time, ensure security of supply. Particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as manufacturing and steel, as well as in heavy goods transport, they offer a high-performance, sustainable alternative and make an important contribution to achieving climate targets.
VNG Handel & Vertrieb acts as a Strategic Partner to companies on their journey towards a sustainable energy supply. To this end, VNG Handel & Vertrieb offers a comprehensive range of solutions relating to green gases such as hydrogen and biomethane, develops projects and innovative energy concepts worldwide, and provides support in reducing CO2-emissions through modern approaches such as carbon management.
Talk to us!
Do you have any questions about the projects of VNG Handel & Vertrieb? We look forward to hearing from you!
Broschure
Our brochure provides an overview of our key activities relating to renewable and decarbonized gases.
Download
Corporate sustainability
Find out more about corporate responsibility and sustainability at VNG Handel & Vertrieb.