EHA Project Infoolder posts »

FC-HyGuide – Guidance document for performing LCAs on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technologies

October 31, 2010

The project FC-HyGuide aims to develop a guidance manual for LCA of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen based systems and related training materials and courses. This will be in line with the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook. Together with specific examples this document will offer step by step guidance for LCA practitioners in industry as well as for researchers. The concept for this guidance document relates back to an international standardized procedure: the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) System (ISO 14025). Following this procedure a flexible and modular approach can be adopted. The EHA in collaboration with the Italian Federation of Scientific and Technical Associations, FAST,  is supporting the dissemination of this project. Improving the acceptance and applicability of the guidance document, during the project a strong and active involvement of relevant stakeholders and a public consultation is foreseen in April 2011. The EHA through its industry and national association members encourages the contribution of industry and research stakeholders to contribute actively to the development of this manual. Two multidisciplinary consortia with eleven specifically experienced partners lead by PE INTERNATIONAL and ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) run this project from October 2010 until [...]

Introduction

October 31, 2010

The joint EHA /HyER (formerly HyRaMP) workshop on Large Infrastructure Development in Europe on October 20, 2010 confirmed what the study of the Coalition of 31 large companies on eletric powertrains, including fuel cells,  indicated:  the making of a hydrogen infrastrucuture in Europe is “doable and affordable”.  At the Workshop EHA industry members,  presented the technical, financial and regulatory aspects concerning hydrogen production (Linde), distribution (Air Liquide) and storage (Hydrogenics). Sven Wolf of Hydrogen Sweden presented the experiences with hydrogen infrastructure projects so far pointing to the need for a business development  approach rather than continuing stand-alone demonstration projects .  All presentations can be downloaded under “EHA in Action”. In the afternoon EU Commission officials presented upcoming EU policy in the field of Energy Infrastructure, the White paper on Sustainable Transport for Europe, Trans European Network for Transport (TEN T) that includes the development of Green Corridors, and the use of Structural funds for energy efficiency and renewabel funds, that will all affect the deployment  of hydrogen applications. The Workshop also demonstrated the urgent need of more coordination of funding on EU, national and regional level:  the advent of a concerted effort by the main fuel cell vehicle and hydrogen [...]

EHA contributes to EU Future Transport Fuels Expert Group

October 28, 2010

A draft report by the European Expert Group on Future Transport Fuels assesses Europe’s options for substituting oil in the transport sector. The group, comprising industry associations, NGOs and Commission officials, was put together by the European Commission to provide advice on developing political strategies for alternative fuels. Among them, the European Hydrogen Association has been submitted input to the draft focussing on the need for a coordianted approach to local infrastructure build-up for electric battery and electric fuel cell cars.

The report states that the transport sector remains  heavily dependent on oil, but concerns over projected rise in demand and spiralling greenhouse gas emissions have led to the search for viable alternative fuels. The report identifies electricity, via battery or hydrogen fuel cells, and biofuels as the main options for substituting oil in transport.

Hydrogenics GmbH Awarded Contract for Fuel Cell Powered Aircraft

October 28, 2010

Gladbeck, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany – October 19, 2010 – Hydrogenics, a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, today announced that its German operating unit, Hydrogenics GmbH, has been awarded a contract by Germany’s national research center for aeronautics and space (DLR) to supply a series of next-generation fuel cell modules for aircraft power applications. The DLR is currently working on several projects such as the Multifunctional APU and the Antares H3, scheduled to take flight in 2011. Hydrogenics GmbH will supply several heavy-duty, high durability HyPM™ HD10 fuel cell power modules with delivery scheduled early next year.

Clean Vehicles featured in Commission Communication on Industrial Policy

October 28, 2010

The European Hydrogen Association welcomes the Commissions communication published today (October 28th 2010) An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era Putting Competitiveness and Sustainability at Centre Stage.
Within the text indication is given that the next two years will introduce a more progressive strategy toward clean mobility. The text explains:
“Going beyond the strategy announced in April 2010 (A European strategy on clean and energy efficient vehicles), substantial financing of investments in infrastructure will be needed, including pilot projects to demonstrate breakthrough technologies in specific cities and regions.”

Volvo initiates the development of fuel cells for battery cars

October 27, 2010

Backed by research support from the Swedish Energy Agency Volvo Cars starts the development of a fuel cell that can extend the electric car’s operating range without any carbon dioxide emissions. The aim is to have two prototype chassis based on the Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric ready for testing in everyday traffic in 2012.

“This is an exciting expansion of our focus on electrification. Battery cost and size means that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range. Fuel cells may be one way of extending the distance these cars can cover before they need to be recharged. What is more, the project gives us increased knowledge about fuel cells and hydrogen gas,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stefan Jacoby.

CLEPA Technology Day, 27 October 2010 – Brussels, Autoworld

27 Oct - 27 Oct, 2010

The fourth edition of the CLEPA Technology Day “Green Technologies for tomorrow’s mobility” will demonstrate that automotive suppliers not only develop most of the new automotive technologies but also are key players in reducing CO2 emissions while, at the same time, innovating for safety and sustainable mobility. The CLEPA Technology Day 2010 will be taking place at the Brussels Autoworld on the 27th of October. The CLEPA Technology Day offers a unique opportunity for Europe’s decision makers to experience the latest vehicle technologies showcased by automotive suppliers who are committed to delivering safer, greener and more energy-efficient products. For more information see: www.clepa.eu

Manufacturer chosen for HyNor Oslo Buss

October 26, 2010

From December 2011 HyNor Oslo Buss will operate 5 fuel cell buses, with hydrogen as fuel. The supplier is Belgium bus manufacturer Van Hool. The project also includes the building of a hydrogen station.
The operation will be based at Rosenholm bus garage, where the hydrogen station also will be established. Ruter, the public transport authority for Oslo and Akershus, is responsible for the operation, but the actual driving of the buses will be done by an operator chosen from a competitive tender in February 2011.

Linde Group will supply hydrogen technology to BMW plant

October 26, 2010

Munich, 12/10/2010: The technology group The Linde Group will provide the BMW Manu­facturing Co. plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a hydrogen fuelling system for its material handling fleet. An according agreement was signed in mid-August 2010. More than 85 pieces of material handling equipment are having their lead acid batteries replaced with hydrogen fuel cells. The trucks deliver process parts to assembly areas throughout the plant. After the conversion this part of BMW’s internal logistics will be completely emission-free. Refuelling at the six indoor dispenser stations will be facilitated by Linde’s Ionic Compressor fuelling system, combining high efficiency and high throughput with low-maintenance costs and low noise compression. The hydrogen supplied to BMW, a by-product of a chemical plant, is purified, compressed and liquefied by Linde using electricity produced from renewable hydropower. for source see: link

EHA and HyER (formerly HyRaMP) call for coordinated support for Hydrogen Infrastructure Build-up

October 25, 2010

At the Third Hydrogen Infrastructure Workshop organized by HyER (formerly HyRaMP), together with the European Hydrogen Association, EHA, on October 20, the message from world leading hydrogen suppliers, Linde and Air Liquide, was loud and clear: hydrogen will be produced by many different primary energy sources, including renewable sources and can be effectively and economically distributed using existing distribution networks. Hydrogenics, a global hydrogen infrastructure equipment supplier, explained the important contribution of  hydrogen storage to peakshaving and to smooth integration of more renewable energy into electricity grids. H2Logic, who installs and operates hydrogen refuelling stations in Scandinavia, described the comprehensive authorisation procedures for hydrogen refuelling stations in the Nordic countries, that could be an example for more cumbersome processes in some of the EU Member States. In the afternoon Commission officials, presented relevant EU policy on energy, transport, industry and regional development. Further insight on future deployment potential was given by the chairman and the director of the Joint Undertaking for fuel cells and hydrogen. The meeting was rounded up by the presentation of  HyER (formerly HyRaMP)’s extensive survey of hydrogen infrastructure development by HyER (formerly HyRaMP)’s 30 members throughout 13 countries in Europe. All presentations are listed in the [...]