Environment Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo signed the decree of the environmental compatibility of the construction of a plant for the production of pure hydrogen from natural gas at the Milazzo refinery.
The EU Smart Cities and Communities Initiative, as part of the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan and further outlined in the EU Commission’s Communication “Energy 2020 – A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy”, with an indicative budget of € 11 bln up to 2020 (COM2009/519) should accelerate the uptake of clean energy technologies in 30 cities throughout Europe. The EU recently has launched a consultation on Smart Cities in which it soliciting concrete project ideas for different technologies. To make sure that hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are included in the Smart Cities efforts, the EHA in collaboration with HyRaMP, NEW IG and Fuel Cell Europe organized a seminar during the EU Sustainable Energy Week on April 13 to highlight hydrogen’s potential in creating Smart an Sustainable European Cities.
Hydrogen is already becoming part of European urban transport systems as the Clean Hydrogen In European Cities (CHIC) project, has put 3 Fuel Cell Hydrogen (FCH) buses in regular service through the Streets of London recently, adding 5 more by the end of 2011 in time for the London Olympics in 2012. A total of 26 buses will be introduced within the project in a further 4 locations (Aargau, Milan, Oslo, and Bozen/Bolzano). The Brussels (in)crowd, visiting the EU Charlemagne venue and EU Commissions Berlayemont building were able to “Hop on a CHIC bus” during the EU Sustainable Energy Week on April 12, 13, and 14 to hear about the CHIC project and the five EU projects for which the EHA is facilitating the dissemination (see under EHA Project Info). At the Hanover Fair, where the EHA was present at the 18th edition of the H2 and FC Group Exhibit, the Ride and Drive event draw huge lines to test the Daimler, Opel, Volkswagen and and Nissan FCV’s. While three Daimler B Class fuel cell cars are half way during their world tour…..
Under the Clean Hydrogen In European Cities (CHIC) 3 Fuel Cell Hydrogen (FCH) buses are now in service in London and by the end of 2011 there will be a total of 8 FCH buses running in London. The buses are now running on the RV1 route– which takes passengers in Covent Garden, the Tower of London and the South Bank.
The new buses, which were designed specially for London, are now carrying passengers. If you get to ride one of these CHIC buses keep in mind that they produces water vapour from its tailpipe (as all hydrogen powered vehicles) and can operate for more than 18 hours without needing to refuel!
London Bus Service Limited, the CHIC partner base in London, is reminding passengers that the application of these buses will provide better quality breathing air to London residents.
Torres Vedras will be hosting an International Seminar on Electric Mobility taking place Wednesday April 27. Main topics to be addressed include: Mobility and Territory, Electric Mobility in the European Union, and Innovation/Competitiveness.
The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking is organizing a public information session following the publications of its 2011 Call for proposals on May 12, 2011.
The Seoul Motor Show 2011 took place April 1-10 2011 and this year, with the title “Evolution: Green Revolution on Wheels”.At the show three Fuel Cell Vehicles were exhibited: the Honda FCX Clarity, the Toyota FCHV and the new Hyundai Blue 2.
On 31 March 2010 the members of the Industry Grouping for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen technology (NEW-IG) elected its new Board, including three new board-members, Oliver Weinnman, (Vattenfal), Mikael Sloth (H2Logic), Karel Kapoun (Shell). The other members in the Board are Henry Winand (Intelligent Energy), Peter Froeschle (Daimler) and Pierre Etienne Franc 5Air Liquide).
Pierre Etienne Franc, Technologies of the Future Director at Air Liquide, is elected to be the new Chairman. He is taking over form Gijs van Breda Vriesman, Commercial Manager Europe – Global Hydrogen Lead Alternative Energies at Shell, who has lead the organisation for the past 4 years. The other Board-members are a good reflection of the broad scope of fuel cell and hydrogen technology, both in terms of sectors and in terms of geography.
The International Hydrogen Research Showcase 2011 will take place at the University of Birmingham on 13-15th April 2011. The high profile three-day event aims to disseminate research via poster and oral presentations from members of UK consortia and invited industry and international speakers, identify key areas of national and international research priorities on hydrogen and sustainable energy especially from invited international speakers, and promote the social and economic implications of transitions to sustainable energy systems.
The International Hydrogen Research Showcase 2011 will bring together approximately 150 people with 5 plenary speakers and 18 keynote speakers who will draw from their experience and showcase the current position of hydrogen development in the UK and internationally.
Spanish Hydrogen Association has prepared the seventh edition of an online Hydrogen course. It will be hold from 7th of April to 23rd of May on the Internet, with optional lessons at Tres Cantos (Madrid) from 14th to 17 th of April. There will be a technical visit day on the 18th of April. The course is in Spanish language. For more information and on-line registration: www.courseh2.com