EHA Newsletter 07/2010older posts »

The EHA submitted its contribution to the EU’s consultation on the Energy Strategy for 2011 – 2020 pointing to the urgent need for policy support to facilitate the market uptake of the first commercial hydrogen applications that contribute to more efficient and low carbon energy use. If Europe’s energy and transport system is redirecting itself to increased use of eletricity as energy carrier, the use of hydorgen as the other energy carrier could accelerate and expand EU ‘s decarbonization objectives by providing a flexible energy storage medium produced by various energy sources in a local energy mix. The EHA position can be dowloaded on this website under Publications in the left column.

Ian Williamson, President of the European Hydrogen Association gave a presentation on  ”Hydrogen production and energy storage: hopes and reality” at the European Parliament on Tuesday 29th June.  He indicated that hydrogen molecules have to be produced as sustainably as possible. “As we are in a competitive market place, hydrogen is currently produced from natural gas if it is sold to industry. Carbon costs will allow transition to moresustainable production methods. Technologies are multiple: wind, biogas etc.

It is essential to use different ways and not to choose a single route”. Mr Williamson stated that commercial scale green hydrogen is available in some technologies. The challenge consists of scaling up this technology. He added that centralised plants are likely to be most cost effective. He reaffirmed the industry’s will to work on green hydrogen production, in collaboration with all the players. This will be a gradual process.

The  European Commission published a consultation on the EU Raw Materials Initiative, that was launched in 2008, to facilitate the preparation of a new Communication which will not only report on progress made with the implementation of this initiative, but also indicate the way forward.The goal of this consultation is to gain an understanding of stakeholders’ views on both the implementation of the Initiative as well as gather opinions and suggestions on the potential avenues the Commission should explore in order to further progress and strengthen the Initiative. Ther consultation closes on September 19, 2010.

The European Commission announced on 9th July that the total amount of allowances under the EU Emission Trading Scheme will be capped at just under 1.927 billion allowances for 2013. The Commission said, however, that it would revise the cap this September to take into account the extension of the scheme’s scope post-2012. At present, it does not account for new sectors such as aluminium or gases like nitrous oxide, for instance. Further adjustments will be made later if new entrants join the market or if emissions-reduction projects planned under the Kyoto Protocol fail to produce credits for companies to offset their emissions with, according to the Commission. “Final figures for the 2013 cap may thus not be available before 2013,” the EU executive said.

Arcola Theatre launched seven of its new HyLight fuel cell-powered lighting systems at this year’s Latitude Festival, held last week in Suffolk, providing lighting for everything from marquees to forest performances, as well as powering laptops, phone chargers and ticket machines. HyLight, claims Arcola, is the first fuel cell product to be developed specifically for the events industry, offering the reliability required through an onboard ‘brain’ that monitors performance and switches to battery back-up in case of fault or user error. Running on hydrogen, with a run-time of 50 hours between refills, the system produces zero emissions and is almost silent. Carbon emission reductions of up to 60% are likely in performance settings through its use of the latest LED lighting. Arcola developed the HyLight cell with a consortium including its regular partners, hydrogen gas producer BOC and events industry supplier White Light, and new partner, Horizon Fuel Cell, manufacturer of the fuel cell at the heart of the unit. The system uses a Horizon fuel cell stack and runs on hydrogen supplied by BOC. Source: Fuel Cell Today and The Stage

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies recently intoduced a palm-size universal portable power charger and power extender for ANY electronic device requiring up to 2W of power. Devices compatible with the MiniPak include cellphones,smartphones,GPS handhelds, and MP3 players. New opportunities also exist to disconnect hundreds of practical USB powered “apps” from PCs and laptops and bring them with you in off-grid settings. These include a number of creative USB lighting devices, USB fans, USB speaker systems for MP3 players or smartphones, and many more. The MiniPAK device integrates a passive air-breathing fuel cell and a metal hydride storage unit, where hydrogen is stored as part of the metal alloy.

The MiniPak DC power output is 2W (5V, 400mA), delivered through standard micro-USB port and a multi-choice cable. The device is supplied with 2 refillable and ready to use solid state hydrogen cartridges.While a cartridge replacement and filling infrastructure develops, Horizon took the extra step to develop a home refueling system called “HydroFILL” – sold as a separate accessory for added convenience. The MiniPAK is positioned to address gaps in providing energy “on the go” to power-hungry device users, as well as a low cost energy storage option for emergency and long duration off-grid.

A large demonstration project for fuel cell electric vehicles, known as H2MOVES, has been announced in Oslo July 6, 2010. The project, based in Scandinavia, will bring seventeen of the latest state‐of‐the‐art electric vehicles with fuel cells from Daimler and FIAT to Oslo including the establishment of a large scale hydrogen refuelling station in the city by H2 Logic. The aim is to advance the commercialisation of hydrogen for transport in Scandinavia as well as connecting the region with the strong German initiatives within the area. The project has a budget of €19,5 million financed by company contributions as well as European and national funding from Norway and Denmark.

Ten Mercedes‐Benz B‐class F‐CELL cars from Daimler (Germany), two Alfa Romeo MiTo fuel cell vehicles from Centro Ricerche FIAT (Italy) and five electric city cars with fuel cell range extension from H2 Logic (Denmark) will in 2011 be provided for daily operation in Oslo and on specific tours in southern Norway and the whole Scandinavian region. Thanks to its long range of around 400 kilometres and short refuelling times, the Mercedes‐Benz B‐Class F‐CELL combines local zero‐emission mobility with long‐distance comfort and compelling performance. More information on EHA’s Swedisch national member site, Hydrogen Sweden.

In the first ever Annual Energy Statement to Parliament, the new UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne on June 27 set out 32 actions being taken to accelerate the transformation of the energy system and wider economy by 2050. The Statement includes  32 actions of coalition energy and climate change policy and six illustrative ‘2050 Pathways’ that show an 80% cut in emissions is achievable. An online ‘2050 Calculator’ enables public to explore the trade-offs in building a 2050 energy system. Fuel cells vehicles are mentioned in the Transport sector along side electric (read battery) vehicles, but hydrogen is absent in the sectors on CCS and Section P on Electricity Balancing. The UK goverment will further refine the scenario’s up to mid Septemebr after which it will issue a public consultation.

The new UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Association (UK HFCA) was launched this week as the result of the merger of Fuel Cells UK and the UK Hydrogen Association. The new industry body will provide a common voice for the sector, advocating a positive social, political and economic environment for the development of hydrogen energy and fuel cells in the UK.  With a membership comprising the leading fuel cell and hydrogen companies in the UK as well as a range of stakeholders, from energy utilities to component developers, fuel suppliers and others involved both directly and indirectly in the industry, the newly formed UK HFCA has greater influence over key public and private stakeholders to support hydrogen energy and fuel cell research. 

The UK HFCA aims to provide an authoritative point of contact and a clear, informed and current view on research, development and demonstration priorities for Government, other funding agencies and key influencers.