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The last weeks of 2009 have been dominated by the developments in the UN Climate Conference COP 15 in Copenhagen during which fuel cell cars whisked delegates criss cross Copenhagen. Although the final outcome did not live up to the EU aspirations of 30 % emission reduction by 2015,   EU's commitment of  €7,4  bln in the next three years (2,4 bln already this year!)  to support developing counties to reduce emissions  could become important also for our sector, especially in relation to development of new markets for low carbon technologies. In addition recent plans for an EU Electric Car Plan that will be unveiled by the Spanish presidency next month needs monitoring with regards to the support  of fuel cells cars as part of EU's future electric transport ambitions.  Therefore the EHA is closely watching the nominations and final responsibilities of the new EU Commissioners who unfortunately will now only be officially nominated by the end of February not in time for this newsletter. The Commissioner designate  for Energy for example stated in his hearing in the EU Parliament that he will be responsible for all EU Energy Research, including the SET Plan..  As the Joint Undertaking for... read more

Updated 31-12-2009 The EHA and the European Industrial Gases Association, EIGA,  have prepared a joint position paper to ask the EU Commission for its consideration of the impacts of the current Seveso II Directive that dates from 1996 on to he... read more

Updated 30-12-2009 Arnhem local authority, together with the Province of Gelderland, the regional authorities of Arnhem-Nijmegen, and the business sector, plan to invest 2.6 million euro in hydrogen-based urban cars and buses. All vehicles will eventually be refuelled at the first... read more

Updated 20-12-2009 Icelandic New Energy and Brimborg, Ford retailer in Iceland, have the pleasure of announcing still further steps in demonstrating hydrogen as fuel for transport; hydrogen which is made from water and renewable power from local resources. Ten Ford Focus FCV... read more

Updated 10-12-2009 December saw more announcements on future  fuel cell martime applications as SVDesign unveiled the  “OrganiK” of designer Sylvain Viau designed for life at sea. The concept features a narrow hull which betters fuel economy and also allows for much... read more

Updated 31-12-2009 A draft plan of the Commission , sent to member states the last week of the new year , sets out the rules on allocating the 300 million allowances of the  ‘new entrants reserve’ of the EU ETS to... read more

Updated 25-12-2009 At the occasion of the COP 15, Siemens presented the European Green City Index, a study on the environmental sustainability of 30 major cities in 30 European countries in which it emerges that Copenhagen is the “greenest” major city... read more

Updated 23-12-2009 After the deceiving non binding targets deal obtained at Copenhagen, EU officials tried to be rather optimistic and wanted to see the first step of a more ambitious agreement. They also pointed  to EU’s contribution of  €30 bln to... read more

Updated 15-12-2009 The level of innovation in regions varies considerably across almost all EU countries. This is one of the main findings of the 2009 Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS), published on 14 December 2009 by the Institute for the Protection and... read more

Updated 11-12-2009 The Commission approved on 9 December, 15 energy projects which will significantly contribute to the economic recovery of the EU, while increasing security of energy supply and substantially reduce CO2 emissions. With this decision, the Commission grants €1 billion... read more

Updated 20-12-2009 The 18th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2010 will take place from 16 to 21 May 2010 in Essen under the auspices of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE) and will be organised by the EnergyAgency.NRW, supported by the... read more

Updated 12-12-2009 On 19-23 April 2010, around 150 companies and institutions from around the globe will showcase a full spectrum of hydrogen/fuel cell-related products & services at H2/FC exhibition – the Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells at HANNOVER MESSE. The latest... read more

Updated 30-12-2009 H-PAC programme aims at developing a French free carbon hydrogen and fuel cells production mainly for stationary applications. At mid-term, H-PAC will promote the introduction of hydrogen in the energy mix to play both a role as a clean... read more

Updated 12-12-2009 The first hydrogen pumping station in the Czech Republic was launched into operation in Neratovice, central Bohemia, on November 5, after three years of preparations by the Nuclear Research Institute (ÚJV) in co-operation with Linde Gas. It has taken... read more

Updated 12-12-2009 A fuel cell power boat was launched on 9 December to circling in the Amsterdam canals. The Nemo H2 which can transport up to 87 people, is a unique boat specially designed to run on a fuel cell engine,... read more