For the first time, H2-diplo was represented at this year’s Open Day of the German Federal Foreign Office on August 23 and 24, 2025. At our stand, representatives from the Ministry and the H2-diplo team in Berlin presented the topic “Hydrogen Diplomacy – what is that?” and engaged visitors in conversations about the future of Germany’s energy transition and the decarbonization of its industry.
On both days, hundreds of attendees stopped by the H2-diplo stand, showing great curiosity about hydrogen and its international dimension. Some visitors were seeking a general understanding of green hydrogen’s role in Germany’s energy transition, while others arrived with more technical knowledge and asked in-depth questions, sparking lively exchanges with the H2-diplo team.
Among the highlights were the visible “aha moments.” One woman exclaimed, “Now I finally understand!” after learning why green hydrogen is a solution for certain industrial and transport sectors, but not for others where renewable electricity can be used directly. Another woman expressed great astonishment when learning that around 50-70% of German hydrogen demand will need to be met with imports, concluding that “it then absolutely makes sense to conduct hydrogen diplomacy”. One visitor voiced a fear of a potential “hydrogen bomb,” which the team was able to clarify in conversation. Many young adults and teenagers also asked pointed questions about the opportunities and challenges hydrogen could address in the near future. These encounters offered valuable insights into how far hydrogen has entered public awareness, and where uncertainties remain.
A recurring theme in the discussions was the issue of market uptake and investment. This strong interest reflects how deeply some German citizens care about the future of the German economy and its decarbonization pathway. One woman expressed hope that initiatives like H2-diplo will continue beyond the current government, calling for a bold vision that takes confident steps toward meeting the challenges of our generation.
The H2-diplo stand also drew attention for two additional reasons. The educational flashcards attracted genuine interest, with many attendees taking them home as a tool to better understand both the technical aspects of green hydrogen and the role of diplomacy in the field.
The biggest draw, especially for younger visitors, was the Virtual Reality Experience. Using VR glasses, participants could step into the year 2045 and explore a Germany that had successfully decarbonized its economy with PtX technologies. Through interactive tasks such as assembling a wind turbine and linking industrial sectors, the simulation illustrated how green hydrogen is produced, in which sectors it can be applied, the differences between grey, blue, and green hydrogen, and what PtX stands for. While some children simply enjoyed the immersive experience of a decarbonized city, others shared their takeaways: a teenage girl noted that it reinforced for her the importance of replacing CO2, while an 80-year-old man said it refreshed his knowledge of hydrogen from his school chemistry lessons.
Overall, the event enabled a meaningful exchange between the project and the public, underscoring once again how essential it is to open dialogue and invite citizens’ questions. The H2-diplo team looks forward to the next Open Day!
Photo credits: First picture by Christina Czybik / Bundesfoto Gbr
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