European Hydrogen Association » Publications

EHA Hydrogen Newsletter 07/10

marieke — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:45:29 +0000

After the Joint Undertaking for fuel cells and hydrogen announced another round of funding the beginning of summer, publishing the third Call for proposals of 89 million euro’s of fuel cell and hydrogen funding, the Commission published on July 20 the FP 7 Energy 2011 – and 2011-2 calls for proposals that include funding for the other European Industrial Initiatives of the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) that are being inaugurated this year. The JTI for fuel cells and hydrogen, as the first EII, could contribute to the activitities of all the other intiatives and enhance the use of all energy technologies.
The FP 7 Energy Call Energy 2011 – 2 for example, includes € 30 mln funding for the topic ENERGY.2011.7.3-2: Storage and balancing variable electricity supply and demand. The EHA encourages the Commision, European industries and research entities participating in all EII’s, to actively explore concrete areas of collaboration to fully leverage the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and accelerate the uptake of all clean energy technologies. As national funding will be crucial to the success of the SET Plan the EHA will engage actively with its national associations to facilitate joint projects at EU nationall and local level.

EHA Newsletter 06/10

marieke — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:10:14 +0000

The EHA entered an new era in June appointing Ian Williamson of Air Products as its first president representing industry. Ian is succeeding Lars Sjunnesson who has represented the Swedish national hydrogen association in the EHA for over 7 years. Under Lars’s guidance the association membership has increased from 5 national associations in 2000 to 19 national member associations and 7 of the main hydrogen infrastructure companies, Shell Hydrogen, Statoil, ENI, Air Products, Linde, Air liquide and Hydrogenics Europe today. Ian Williamson indicated that the EHA with this unique membership structure is well placed to foster local deployment and infrastructure build- up and that he is committed to support national association members to facilitate a broad market uptake of the first commercial hydrogen applications throughout Europe.
With the development of electric transport throughout Europe, the role of hydrogen in electric fuel cell vehicles will become more imminent. The EHA therefore seeks to actively contribute to the upcoming EU White Paper on Sustainable Transport for Europe and has submitted its contribution to the Comission’s consultation on an EU Energy 2011 -2020 strategy. In collaboration with HyRaMP a Workshop is scheduled on large scale infrastructure development for key national and regional stakeholders on October 20, 2010 in Brussels. For more inforamtion and registration please contat the EHA secretariat at info@h2euro.org

Press Releases 2010

tanya — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:56:04 +0000

New president of the European Hydrogen Association, Ian Williamson, will address meeting of EU Parliament Intergroup “Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development” 23/06/10

Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles need – Clean and Energy Efficient Infrastructure 28/04/10

EHA National Association’s meeting, Brussels 22 June 2010

tanya — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:26:37 +0000

During the 2010 National Association’s meeting, presentations were given by National Association Members, regional representatives, and the European Commission DG Research and DG MOVE.

The Norwegian Hydrogen Forum gave an overview on hydrogen developments in Norway informing the group on demonstration projects including Utsira applying a wind-hydrogen system, HyNor with ambitions to obtain vehicle fleet of around 40 vehicles, and events such as the ZeroRally that will be held at the end of August this year.

The Dutch-Flanders region of Belgium gave insight on the WaterstofNet project approved within the European Interreg Program; the project aims to reach for concise goals, with a limited infrastructure to create visible results in only 3 years.

Founded in 2003, the Bulgarian Hydrogen Society introduce themselves for the first time, and put in the picture their partners, activities, and projects.

The German Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Association perspectives gave the attendants a glance into the future of hydrogen vehicle deployment, fueling build-up, and the Callux-project launching stationary residential application.

Prof. Margitfalvi from the hydrogen section of the Hungarian Energy Association presented the ambitious Hungarian objectives for preparation, learning from existing technologies, demonstration projects, and dissemination of information to be applied in time for the Hungarian European Council Presidency in the first half of 2011.

A number of Hydrogen research projects launched in Latvia are currently in the works, the presentation posted by the Latvian Hydrogen Association outlines these projects which present new opportunities to researchers in the field.

The Macedonian Association for Hydrogen outlined their structure and activities; their presentation also gave an understanding of the international project “Green Hydrogen House,” an innovative collaboration between entities in other neighboring nations.

The Spanish presentation described the Spanish national government initiatives and the projects currently within their duration generally focused on production, vehicle application, and vessel application; also noted was the location of the Spanish National Center for Hydrogen Fuel Cells, in Peurto Llano.

The Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership presented a vision of collaboration, the example gave the audience the impression that international cooperation and representation can produce substantial results, as done with the collaboration between Hydrogen Sweden, HyNor, and Hydrogen Link.

The Region of Flanders gave a gracious presentation outlining the perspective of the region on the development of hydrogen fuel cell technologies, developments, and the Belgian Presidency’s plans for the SET- Plan.

The member of DG Research present at the meeting graciously explained the definitions of the SET-Plan, while in conclusion emphasised the necessary shared effort from the EU, Member States, Industry and the Financial Community to implement all initiatives.

Dr William Borthwick representing DG MOVE, gave a detailed insight on the state of play of the Future White Paper on Transport, The Action Plan for Urban Mobility, and the Civitas Initiative.

The presentations can be downloaded above.

EHA Newsletter 05/10

marieke — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:31:13 +0000

May 2010 offered many proofs of product and policy that will put the use of hydrogen more visibly on Europe’s map. The Drive and Ride event on the eve of the World Hydrogen Energy Conference on May 16, organised by Energie im Wandel, the German National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell programme NOW’s promotional campaign, saw German families hop into various fuel cells SUV’s and hit the Autobahn. On the policy level the EU Competitiveness Council in its conclusion on May 25 on the Clean and Eenrgy Efficient Vehicles Strategy (COM2010/189) recognized that “hydrogen vehicles remain a valid ultra-low-carbon mobility option in the mediumterm perspective, as affordability of the car and of the fuel is achieved; also noted that hydrogen vehicles and electric vehicles are mutually complementary”. The Spanish presidency inaugurated four more European Industrial Initiatives (EII’s) under the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan on Wind, Solar, Smart grids and CCS that will need direct links with the first of these initiatives, the Joint Undertaking on fuel cells and hydrogen that will publish its third call for proposals this June.
All of this inspired the EHA to send a request to EU vice president Antoio Tajani to for a seat in the Cars 21 High Level Group that will steer the Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles strategy into action.
This year’s 10th EHA Annual General Assembly and EHA National Association Action Meeting on June 22, 2010 in the Palais des Academies, Rue Ducale 1 in Brussels, promises therefore to be the kick-start of a new era of engagement of our national association members in working with industry to convince national and local authorities to step up their support for hydrogen infrastructure development. Registration for the EHA National Association Action Meeting starting at 1400 on June 22 is open at info@h2euro.org.

EHA Newsletter 04/10

marieke — Sat, 01 May 2010 03:47:18 +0000

Brussels is bubbling with dossiers that require active contributions of our industry: the EU Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles Strategy, as presented by the EU Commission on April 28, and discussed in the EHA/HyRaMP seminar on March 23 in Brussels, included encouraging text. Complementary development of battery and fuel cell car development was mentioned as well as the need for an assessment on whether synergies exist between capacity build up for electric and hydrogen vehicles and their connection to low-carbon electricity sources, as indicated in the EHA postion paper on the strategy.
The EHA was also contacted by DG Environment to give input on the future development of hydrogen refuelling stations with regards to the Review of the Seveso II Directive, that limits hydrogen on-site storage to 5 tons. Last but not least in a meeting with DG Enterprise, the EHA discussed further EU action on standardisation of infrastructure build-up in Europe and the EHA interest to contribute to the proposed EU Platform for electric transport. The EU Competitiveness Council of May 25-26 will decide on the Clean Vehicles Strategy and therefore it will be very important in the next three weeks to take action at national level to inform government officials of the need to include fuel cell vehicles in their support for electric mobility and to ensure the best use of primary energy sources in transport infrastructure build-up. We also ask national governments for support for an EU coordinated electric transprot platform, consisting of all zero emission transport stakeholders. EHA national association members are well placed to engage with national decision makers on these topics. The EHA Annual General Assembly and the EHA National Association Meeting that are taking place on June 22 in Brussels will be important occasions to discuss national progress, share experiences and celebrate our ten years of promotion and dissemination of the use of hydrogen in Europe .

EHA Newsletter 03/10

marieke — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:50:17 +0000

Spring seems to have arrived in Brussels, especially with regards to new actions on cleaning transport in the EU. Several recent proposals of the EU Spanish presidency, the new Commission and EU Parliament call to speed up support for co-called Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles. The EHA took action and submitted a position paper as contribution to the consultation of the EU Enterprise and Industry Directorate on an EU Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles strategy, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, energy efficient electric transport infrastructure build-up for electric battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. In addition we co-organized, together with HyRaMP and the West Midlands in Europe office and with the support of ERTRAC and the FCH JU, a very successful policy event on this topic on March 23, during the EU Sustainable Energy Week. The new EHA/DWV Strategy Paper was presented at this event to the director of Automotive in the Commission, Philippe Jean, who is responsible for the new strategy. The paper outlines the role of hydrogen as an energy carrier in the new global energy system, pointing to the need of the efficient use of primary energy sources in electric transport infrastructure planning. The paper can be downloaded here.

Energy Infrastructure 21 – Role of Hydrogen in Addressing the Challenges in the new Global Energy System

tanya — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:17:35 +0000

We are happy to present the third publication of the EHA/DWV series of strategy papers on the role of hydrogen as an energy carrier in a changing energy and climate landscape. The first paper dealt with the status of supply of different primary energy sources for hydrogen production, clearly indicating that renewable energy sources will be the most secure and sustainable source for future hydrogen production. The second paper demonstrated the role of hydrogen and fuel cells to facilitate large scale renewable energy deployment. This third paper explains the role of hydrogen in developing an intelligent and efficient infrastructure for electric mobility as we will need to gradually replace depleting fossil fuels with more renewable sources.

EHA Newsletter 02/10

marieke — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:58:13 +0000

The announcement of the EU Spanish presidency of an EU Electric Car Plan dominated the news in the first few days of the newly appointed EU Commission. The EHA teamed up with the Industry Grouping and Fuel Cell Europe and sent a joint letter to the Member State representatives, in time for the Electric Car Plan announcement on February 9 in Seville, to highlight the role of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen as important components of electric transport and the decarbonisation of transport in the EU by 2050. The reaction of Members States to the Spanish proposal was encouraging in that most countries indicated that more green car technologies than just batteries needed to be included, pointing to also hydrogen, hybrides and biofuels. Industry Commissioner Tajani ten days later at an informal meeting of automotive specialists of the Member States on February 19 announced the development of an EU Strategy for Clean and Energy Efficient Cars before the Competitiveness Council of May 25-26. The EHA in its contribution to the EU 2020 strategy, that the Commission recently published, emphasised the need to consider the efficient use of primary energy in developing the right innovative industrial strategies including for transport to facilitate a rapid uptake of sustainable growth and employment. The EHA is currently preparing its contribution to the consultation on the Clean and Energy Efficient Car Strategy.

EHA Newsletter 01/10

marieke — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:31:48 +0000

The first month of the second decade of EHA’s operations in promoting hydrogen as an energy carrier in Europe, was dedicated to the hearings of relevant new Commisoners designate and trying the find out what their responsibilites could mean for hydrogen and fuel cell development. In addition the EHA office chased Spanish colleagues to find out more about the scopet of the proposed EU Electric Car Plan. Together with the JTI Industry Grouping NEW IG, HyRaMP and Fuel Cell Europe we have sent a joint letter to the Member State representative offices in Brussels to ask attention for the role hydrogen and fuel cell cars as part of and electric transport system. We now have information that a majority of the Member States indicated that would like to see a focus on more technolgies that just batteries in the Action Plan mentioning also fuel cells. The new Industry Commissioner Tajani also indicated his interest to focus more on green automotive technologies mentioning specifcally the need of active and coordinated involvement of Member States and Regions. As the Bulgarian Hydrogen Association requested membership last week (see under National News), the EHA, now with 16 national member associations and hosting the office of HyRaMP’s, 30 regions is well placed to facilitate more visibility of hydrogen and fuel cells in EU and national policies.