EHA in Action« newer posts »

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 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.

Engaging Local Residents with Air Products Renewable Energy Team

October 20, 2010

Local people living and working in the Billingham and Port Clarence areas of the UK have met members of the Air Products team who are wishing to build the Tees Valley Renewable Energy Facility, a 49MW power generation project that will use waste destined to landfill to supply electricity to more than 50,000 homes in the North East. The exhibition, which was held at Stockton City Learning Centre on 18th October and the Port Clarence Community Centre on 19th October, was an opportunity for local people to learn more about the proposed project, which was announced in July 2010, in advance of a planning application being submitted by Air Products to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

2010 Fuel Cell Seminar & exposition, 18 – 22 october 2010

18 Oct - 22 Oct, 2010

The Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition (FCS&E) provides an exciting opportunity to learn about and experience the latest advances in fuel cell research, development and demonstration/application. The Seminar was created in 1976 as a forum for researchers and developers alike to share new findings, as well as successes and failures, within the fuel cell community. Since then, the FCS&E has grown along with its industry, in terms of the numbers of participants; the numbers of demonstrations of fuel cells; and the state-of-the-art of the technology. For more info : www.fuelcellseminar.com

Fuel Cells Science & Technology 2010 Conference, 6 – 7 october 2010

6 Oct - 7 Oct, 2010

Fuel Cells Science & Technology 2010 will be held 6-7 October in Zaragoza , the capital city of the Zaragoza province, Spain. The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers and technologists working on fuel cell developments from across the globe. They will have the opportunity to address the key scientific, engineering and technology challenges underpinning this innovation.  Attendance will benefit all those interested in or affected by the key research and development issues facing fuel cell science and technology. Contact : FuelCellAdvances@elsevier.com or visit http://www.fuelcelladvances.com/

EU commissioned study on “the liability of electricity TSO for failing to supply”.

October 4, 2010

On 25 June 2009 the European Commission (the “Commission”) selected the law firm Philippe & Partners for performing a study on “the liability of electricity transmission system operators for failing to supply” in Europe. The study aims at:
• Understanding liability of transmission system operators (“TSOs”) for all failures of supply (any type of supply failure, such as failure resulting from operation deficiencies, capacity curtailment, etc.);
• Analysing the way TSOs are insured against risks;
• Highlighting differences, common practices, good practices, etc. in the scrutinised Member States (“MS”);
• Determining to what extent such differences or practices affect the internal electricity market and/or hamper competition; and
• Assessing whether a Europe wide approach is recommendable.
The study covered eight MS, namely Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Czech Republic. The study can be downloaded at the EU Energy Website.

Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020 Draft Report Includes Hydrogen Storage

October 4, 2010

On July 13th 2010  Member of European Parliament, Lena-Kolarska Bobinska, sumitted the report to the European Parliament Towards a new Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020.

Ms. Bobinska aims to establish an Energy Strategy which achieves the Lisbon Treaty objectives and the 20-20-20 climate package targets.
Within the text, many aspects are adressed including the Promotion of energy research & development and innovation. Hydrogen is included within this section mentioning the European Parliament, “Supports the development of cost-efficient new technologies for electrical storage, including the use of hydrogen and other fuel cells, which would allow to increase the share of variable renewables;”

The overall text is currenty being amended and reshaped, thus EHA will be keeping a close watch to monitor any new developments.

HyNor Oslo Buss will operate 5 fuel cell buses from Belgium bus manufacturer Van Hool

October 1, 2010

HyNor Oslo Buss will operate 5 fuel cell buses, from the Belgium bus manufacturer Van Hool, with hydrogen as fuel from December 2011 including a hydrogen station. The operation will be based at Rosenholm bus garage, where the hydrogen station also will be established. Ruter 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. The hydrogen station will be procured in October 2010 after a competitive tender. HyNor Oslo Buss is a common project between the regional transport executive company Ruter (authority), the environmental organisation Zero, Oslo City and Akershus County. The two latter have contributed substantial to the financial of the project. In addition the project has got external financial support from Transnova, Norwegian Research Council and an EU program (Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking program – FCH JU). The project will reduce noise and make a better air quality in the Oslo area in addition to reduced global emission from public transport. HyNor Oslo Buss project is a part of a common European demonstration project (CHIC) of fuel cell buses from 2010 to 2016. This project includes also fuel cell [...]