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HyLIFT-DEMO project Kicked off in Brussels February 9, 2011

February 14, 2011

The overall purpose and ambition of HyLIFT-DEMO is to conduct a large scale demonstration of hydrogen powered fuel cell forklifts, which enables a following deployment and market introduction starting no later than 2013. The project will conduct a 2 year demonstration of at least 30 units of 2.5-3.5 tons forklifts with a fully integrated 3rd generation fuel cell system and hydrogen refueling infrastructure at end-user sites.

The project kickoff was held at the new facilities of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking in Brussels. The project partners were brought together to exchange the first impressions of the project and work involved.

EHA is the dissemination partner for the HyLIFT-DEMO project.

EU Tranport ministers discuss use of Cohesion Funds for TEN T

February 11, 2011

On 8 February 2011, the transport ministers of the 27 Member States, European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas and Chairman of the TRAN Committee of European Parliament Brian Simpson held a policy debate on the review of the TEN-T trans-European transport network at Gödöllő. The EU Commission is expected to publish its legislative proposal on the review of the TEN-T policy this summer. The ministers’ meeting held in Hungary offered an opportunity for a high-level discussion on the future of the TEN-T policy. Member States confirmed to the Hungarian Presidency that its choice to put the TEN-T policy revision on the agenda of this informal ministerial meeting was timely and essential. The EHA has met with the Commission to discuss  hydrogen distribution in the future network. Ministers expressed their appreciation for the Hungarian EU Presidency’s efforts to orient the debate and provided constructive contributions to the questions formulated by the Presidency. The Commission Staff Working Document on the new TEN-T policy planning and implementation issues has been confirmed as a good basis for the TEN-T revision. The Commission intends to take into account the Member States’ views and hold high-level bilateral consultations with Member States on the detailed core network maps before presenting [...]

EU Parliament working document adopts suggestions to include role of hydrogen in EU Energy infrastructure

February 10, 2011

The EU Parliament discussed a working paper on February 10  on the EU dossier “Energy infrastructure priorities for 2020 and beyond” (COM 2010/677), including references to hydrogen as storage medium. The EHA submitted a paper on the role of hydrogen to the rapporteur of this report as well as the shadow rapporteurs, that has been well received. The report indicates “ that one of the biggest challenges in electricity distribution is doing it in an efficient and intelligent manner. Fostering infrastructure for the efficient integration of renewable energy development is critical for the success of overall energy objectives. Therefore, the rapporteur welcomes the long term focus on the “Supergrid”. The development of storage capacity (hydro power, high-temperature solar, hydrogen and other technologies) should be envisaged as a priority in association with the “smart cities” to encourage energy savings”.  The report al Building gas storage infrastructure should be included among the objectives (special consideration should be given to the possibility of setting up multi-use facilities which could accommodate both gas and, if necessary hydrogen).

Daimler predicts fuel cell car and diesel hybrid Euro 6 match costs by 2015

February 9, 2011

“A few years ago, the price was at about 1,500 euros per kilowatt hour for a lithium ion battery. In the midterm we should be at a level of 400 euros,” Herbert Kohler, head of e-drive and future mobility at Daimler AG, told AutomotiveNews Europe. Kohler said he expected an even bigger price decrease for fuel cells. ”By 2015, we think a fuel cell car will not cost more than a four-cylinder diesel hybrid that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard,” Kohler said.He added that he expects EVs to be more expensive than fuel cells in less than five years. That is why Daimler is working fast to get more fuel cell cars on the road. ”By 2013-2014, we want to bring a four-digit-number of fuel cell vehicles to market,” Kohlersaid. Daimler has spent the past year running a test fleet of its B-class fuel cells cars. The company plans to launch a second-generation of the car when it starts building the next generationA- and B-class models on its new front-wheel drive architecture in 2013-2014. Kohler added that Daimler may make fuel cell versions of the C- and E-class luxury models”For gas-producers in general, fuel-cells are a very profitable business-case” Kohler added. ”I expect that there will be a network of [...]

Hydrogenics Awarded Hydrogen Fueling Station In Norway

February 7, 2011

Hydrogenics Corporation will supply 2 HySTAT(TM)60 electrolyzers for a hydrogen fueling station to be based in Oslo, Norway.

The electrolyzers will support a complete electrolysis-based fueling station as part of the HyNor Oslo Bus project. The electrolyzers, capable of producing up to 260 kilograms per day of pure hydrogen are anticipated to be delivered in 2011 and will be based at the Rosenholm bus garage in a suburb of Oslo, Norway. The hydrogen fueling station is anticipated to commence service in 2012 and provide hydrogen to operate fuel cell buses for a five year period. The fueling station is part of CHIC, the Clean Hydrogen in European Cities Project, an essential next step leading to the full market commercialization of fuel cell hydrogen powered buses. Additional information regarding the CHIC initiative can be found at ( http://chic-project.eu ).

The HyNor Oslo Bus project will reduce noise and improve the air quality in the Oslo area, in addition to reducing harmful emissions from public transport. The hydrogen fueling station will deliver 100% green hydrogen, thanks to the use of green electricity, further demonstrating that a complete carbon free chain using electrolysis has its place in the future energy mix for transport applications.

EU Energy Council call on EC to table initiatives on smart grids including clean vehicles and energy storage

February 5, 2011

The Energy Council that was held on Februay 4, 2011 organized by the Hungarian presidency focused on  two sectors – energy  and innovation. It agreed on a  number of priority actions whose implementation should  contribute  to enhancing growth  and job creation as well as promoting Europe’s competitiveness: 1.   Early adoption of the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation  on energy markets integrity and transparency; 2.  Efforts are needed to modernise and expand Europe’s energy infrastructure and to interconnect networks across borders, in line with the priorities identified by the Commission  communication on energy infrastructure: it stated that  no EU Member State should remain isolated from the European gas and  electricity networks after 2015; 3.  Bulk of the important financing costs for infrastructure investments will have to be  delivered by the market, with costs recovered through tariffs.  The Commission is invited to report by June 2011 to the Council on  figures on the investments likely to be needed, on suggestions on how to respond to financing requirements and on how to address possible obstacles to infrastructure investment; 4.  As of 1 January 2012, all Member States should include energy efficiency standards taking account of the EU headline target in public procurement for relevant public buildings and services; 5. [...]

Bulgarian Hydrogen Week

5 Feb - 10 Feb, 2011

The national association Bulgarian Hydrogen Society (BG H2 Society: www.bgh2society.org) has been found to join the scientific potential of our country and to coordinate the realization of the Hydrogen Technologies in the Republic of Bulgaria.
BG H2 Society, under the auspicious of the European Hydrogen Association and the Prime Minister of Republic of Bulgaria, organizes within the International Year of Chemistry 2011:  “Week of Hydrogen in Bulgaria”, Feb 05-10, 2011
With the participation of Paul Lucchese, President of the New European Research Grouping on fuel cells and Hydrogen (N.ERGHY), Paris, France.

Hyundai – Kia Motors and stakeholders Nordic Countries sign MoU

February 4, 2011

At a joint ceremony the Embassy of Sweden and the Korean Ministry of Knowledge & Economy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  in Seoul, Korea on the 31st January 2011 on the deployment of fuel cell vehicles.  Hyundai – Kia Motors and key hydrogen stakeholders from the Nordic countries, Sweden, Denmark, Norway & Iceland both aim market deployment of zero emission hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles. With the MoU, Hyundai • Kia hopes to establish its position as one of the leading manufacturers in the global markets for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). For the Nordic countries the MoU significantly contributes to years of efforts on positioning the region as one among the first worldwide where FCEVs are market introduced.  On the phote Swedish amassador Lars Vargö, Bjørn Simonsen, HyNor, Björn Aronsson, Hydrogen Sweden, Michael Sloth, SHHP, Dr.Woon Chul Yang, president of R&D Division of Hyundai • Kia, Flemming Wennike, Hydrogen Link, Jón Björn Skulason, Iclandic New Energy, Nam Hoon Kang, the Korean Ministry of Knowledge & Economy. Photo: Hyunda More info at the  Scandinavian Hydrogen HighWay Partnership website.

AIR PRODUCTS HYDROGEN EXHIBIT ENERGISES CHILDREN AT EUREKA!

February 4, 2011

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum and Air Products, industrial gas manufacturer and global market leader in hydrogen infrastructure, have joined forces to educate children about sustainable energy. A brand new exhibit provides children with a unique interactive experience, whilst the launch of a competition brings the theme to the classroom; challenging children from around the country to design a hydrogen-powered town. Eureka!’s newest exhibit is an Air Products hydrogen car fuel pump in the Garage section of the role-play gallery, ‘Living and Working Together’. As with the other exhibits in the gallery’s child-sized town, in the Garage children pretend to play at adult life, maintaining and driving cars, refuelling or changing tyres and learning what’s ‘under the bonnet’. The hydrogen fuel pump exhibit aims to educate children about alternative sources of energy. Located beside conventional fuel pump exhibits, children are able to understand their choices for decreasing the environmental impact of driving a car. Ian Williamson, Director of Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products and President of the European Hydrogen Association said: “We are passionate about developing a greener future for everyone and have installed over 120 hydrogen fuelling stations around the world. Raising public awareness about the benefits of [...]

European Hydrogen Association Contact Information

February 4, 2011

Executive director Marieke Reijalt
Phone:  + 32 2 763 25 61
Fax: + 32 2 772 50 44
E-mail: info@h2euro.org
Postal Address: European Hydrogen Association 3/4/5 Avenue des Arts 1210 Bruxelles Belgium