The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is providing €100m to 20 research consortia to test out new renewable and sustainable energy technologies, such as hydrogen, under real conditions.
A total of 90 proposals were made as part of a nationwide competition, and the ministry is taking steps to expand the programme.
An additional €200m will be available for laboratories in regions undergoing structural change.
Federal Economic Affairs Minister Peter Altmaier (pictured) said: “We aim to become the world number one in hydrogen technologies.
“Hydrogen technologies offer enormous potential for the Energiewende, climate protection and new jobs.
“With the laboratories we’ll be able to test how new hydrogen technologies can be applied under real conditions and on an industrial scale.”
The German government plans to unveil a comprehensive ‘hydrogen strategy’ by the end of the year.
Germany Trade & Invest chief executive Jurgen Friedrich said: “This initiative shows how serious Germany is about making the transition to clean energy a reality.
“It should provide a major boost to this energy sector.”