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Exploring Hydrogen Technology Adoption in the German Energy Sector—A Dynamic Capabilities Perspective

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  • Daniel A. Gerhard

    (Faculty of Business Administration, Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg, Kesslerplatz 12, 90489 Nuremberg, Germany)

  • Katarzyna Kramarska

    (Faculty of Business Administration, Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg, Kesslerplatz 12, 90489 Nuremberg, Germany)

  • Ulrich Ulmer

    (Department of Process Engineering, Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg, Kesslerplatz 12, 90489 Nuremberg, Germany
    Institute of Applied Hydrogen Research, Electro- and Thermochemical Energy Systems (H2Ohm), Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, Keßlerplatz 12, 90489 Nuremberg, Germany
    Energie Campus Nürnberg, Fürther Strasse 250, 90429 Nürnberg, Germany)

Abstract

The transition to hydrogen is an important element of the sustainable transition of Germany’s industry. Regional German municipal utilities play a key role in this transition, as they are at the core position between local demand and regional supply. They play an important role when it comes to planned infrastructure development on the regional level. As energy infrastructure development is a long-term project, they need to deal with the hydrogen transition at a very early stage, including pilot projects, organizational changes, and business model adaptations. Yet, not much is known about how these entities organize the transition to hydrogen. Using a qualitative research approach, this study takes a dynamic-capability perspective to shed light on the hydrogen transition activities of German municipal utilities. Industry and other energy sector participants can learn from these insights on how to organize the transition path towards hydrogen. Findings indicate that strong partnerships play a key role in identifying new opportunities and that balancing risk and benefit is a key challenge when it comes to realizing new technological hydrogen projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel A. Gerhard & Katarzyna Kramarska & Ulrich Ulmer, 2025. "Exploring Hydrogen Technology Adoption in the German Energy Sector—A Dynamic Capabilities Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:23:p:10545-:d:1802288
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