Power-to-X in Action: Hydrogen Network Expands Across Borders

A regional initiative in Eastern Switzerland is taking concrete steps to advance Power-to-X technologies, particularly hydrogen production and infrastructure. According to Werdenberger & Obertoggenburger (08.09.2025), organizations and government representatives from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Germany recently met in Buchs to launch a cross-border hydrogen lab.

The event took place at the premises of the VfA (Association for Waste Disposal), which is planning to build a hydrogen production plant and a public H₂ filling station near the local waste incineration facility. Earlier this year, VfA delegates approved a credit of 11.55 million Swiss francs for this project.

Regional and cross-border collaboration

The meeting, initiated and moderated by Prof. Markus Friedl, head of the Institute for Energy Technology (IET) at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST) and board member of SPIN, brought together around 20 participants from research, business, and politics. Government representatives included Marc Mächler (Canton of St. Gallen), Hubert Büchel (Principality of Liechtenstein), and Adi Gross (Vorarlberg regional administration).

Energy producers presented existing and planned hydrogen projects in St. Gallen, Domat-Ems, and Nüziders. Another initiative involves developing a hydrogen-powered passenger boat for Quinten, a Swiss village only accessible by water. Network operators also discussed how to adapt their infrastructure to be hydrogen-ready.

Hydrogen as part of Power-to-X

OST has positioned hydrogen research as a priority within its large Power-to-X team, focusing on how to store and use electricity surpluses from renewable energy. Hydrogen plays a central role in this context, serving as a versatile energy carrier for mobility, industry, and heating.

Policy frameworks and strategies

The meeting also highlighted the importance of policy support. St. Gallen’s government is currently working on a regional hydrogen strategy, based on Switzerland’s national H₂ strategy adopted in December 2024. Liechtenstein has already outlined its Strategy 2030 and Vision 2050, focusing on reducing energy demand, increasing renewable energy, and cutting CO₂ emissions. Liechtenstein Wärme, for example, already operates a hydrogen-ready distribution network.

Vorarlberg introduced its own hydrogen strategy in 2022, aiming to establish both a technical and regulatory framework. Measures include simplified permits for construction and operation, financial support programs, and infrastructure planning.

A long-term effort with regional impact

As St. Gallen’s energy minister Marc Mächler emphasized, the development of hydrogen technologies requires “stamina and perseverance.” At the same time, he underlined the importance of cross-border exchange in the four-country region of Lake Constance and the Alpine Rhine.

This collaboration illustrates how Power-to-X solutions can go beyond national borders and build regional ecosystems for the transition to a defossilized energy system.

Source: Werdenberger & Obertoggenburger, 08.09.2025