Episode 13 of the WHySE Creatures Stories
This post first appeared on LinkedIn on 14 July 2026.
‘Dog, why do you treat municipal companies differently from SMEs?’
asked Ox, holding up his piece of paper.
It read:
SMEs vs. municipal companies
Ox looked at Dog.
‘Hydrogen is hydrogen, isn’t it?’
Dog tilted his head.
‘Hydrogen is hydrogen, yes.
And this is less about pitting SMEs against municipal companies.
It is about different questions.
Some overlap. Others come into play.’
Rat, the managing director of an SME, often asks first:
Does H₂ fit the company’s processes, location, costs and future?
Or do we have a product that fits into the H₂ terrain?
With municipal companies, a second level comes into play.
You know this level, Ox.
Ox voiced the questions aloud:
What about security of supply?
Which committees, citizens, city officials and authorities need to be involved early on?
What public responsibility does the company carry?
What role do networks, heat supply and mobility play?
And how does all this fit with public service obligations?
Dog nodded.
Ox remarked:
‘Then a technical idea on its own is hardly enough.’
Dog added:
‘That is exactly where the real journey begins.
A municipal H₂ project needs technology. Yes.
It needs economic viability. Yes.
It also needs a narrative that can be explained.
To the supervisory board.
To the city council.
To partners.
Locally.
To the people for whom municipal companies work.
This narrative must answer one simple question:
Does this H₂ path fit our municipality – and why?’
Dog pointed to the piece of paper.
‘The difference rarely lies in the molecule.
It lies in the mission.’
Ox was silent for a moment.
Then he said:
‘So first, clarify which role the municipal company should take on in the H₂ terrain. For the benefit of the residents. And in line with the local situation.’
Dog smiled.
‘Now we are getting down to specifics.’