This article deals with the opportunities and obstacles of power-to-x technology for the generation of electricity-based energy carriers from renewable energies (with special consideration of green hydrogen). After a scientific-economic grounding, it is analysed which impulses for this technology are currently emanating from EU energy law (in emissions trading, marginal cost compensation, renewable energies, taxonomy, etc.) and in the course of foreseeable legal changes. In the process, own regulatory proposals will also be addressed. The article concludes with an EU foreign trade perspective on global hydrogen prospects, opportunities and limits.