Spring is here, so catch a train to these must-go H2 events in Europe!!!
22 Mar The EHA for the 13th year in a row is part of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Europe Exhibit at the Hannover Messe from April 1 -4, 2019 in booth E58. The EHA, as an Energy and Hydrogen Alliance of national  experts in hydrogen infrastructure development, will present its engagement in various large scale hydrogen projects around Europe and our support to emerging economies around the world.  The new focus of the exhibit on FCH technologies ensures thhe largest gathering ..read more
Brussels Christmas H2 Boost: beyond nudging….
20 Dec The EHA, as a Energy and Hydrogen Alliance of European national and technical experts, at its Annual General Meeting on December 14, 2018 has adapted its game plan to address the increasing need for concrete action to deploy hydrogen solutions where they fit best. Our first action is to get you on your feet to effectively convince your network in 2019 to embrace fuel cell and hydrogen technologies to accelerate Europe’s energy transition away form a long foregone era of ..read more
Enjoy while you can: EU is entering its last fossil “full” decade
20 Sep Scientifically right but economically wrong? As the EU Commission tries raising the bar to 45% emission reduction by 2030 (see the Juncker 2018 speech ), business is shuffling its feathers. When EU’s automotive is barking at the speed of EU Parliament’s emission reduction efforts, Greenpeace kicked off the last fossil fuelled decade on  September 18, 2018 with a DLR study that gives us another 10 years of fossil “full” driving until sales of these vehicles need to stop to not overshoot 1,5C. “We are very ..read more
Falling in love….who’s dating hydrogen?
11 Jun As this month’s line-up of EHA’s most significant H2 news is demonstrating, hydrogen increasingly is “coupling” several sectors into firm longlasting relationships. The Austrian presidency starting next month has put renewable hydrogen as one of its prime topics in its energy program (page 16!), In the Netherlands, recent developments in electrolyer effciency and production ambitions has spurred cooperation between companies in sectors that only recently operated on different planets. Clearly the first EU Synergy project TSO2020 inspired the creation of the ..read more
Where will diesel take you in 2018?
29 Mar As a German federal court allowed German cities to ban diesel cars from their city centres, Toyota will take diesel cars out of its showrooms in Europe in 2019, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is apparently ditching diesel by 2022,  are zero emission vehicles becoming the norm? After announcing record profits in 2017, taken into account even their Dieselgate billionnaire settlements, Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller still points to a future for clean diesel. It would be indeed great if automotive companies would accelerate ..read more
Where will fuel cell cars take us in 2018?
08 Feb As 14 countries included H2 in their national policy framework required by art 5 of the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (COM2014/94), we are looking forward to national hydrogen refuelling (HRS) station coverage by 2025 in more than half of EU territory. The EU HRS publicly accessible station monitor on our homepage is now counting 115 stations; the EU TEN T program will have co-funded over public 300 stations in 12 months time. So where will fuel cell cars take ..read more
To be continued in 2018: linking the “H2ot Spots”
14 Dec As EU Member States in the last TTE Council meeting of the year on December 18, 2017 committed to a target of 27% renewable energy of its overall energy consumption by 2030 and the renewables transport target for 2030 is set at 14% for each member state, hydrogen, thanks to the lobbying of a lot of stakeholders, has improved its visibility in this review of the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive as well as in the  Internal Market Design Directive.  A ..read more
Fossil/CO2 bans and wind records “NOx out” business as usual!
17 Oct Two days before the Dutch TSO’s for Gas and Electricity, TenneT and Gasunie shaked hands on developing a large offshore facility to dispatch wind power into gas networks via hydrogen, Wind Europe measured 250GWh of offshore wind production on September 11, a record in Europe (19.8% of net demand in Denmark 83%!). A week, later, and on the same day the FCH JU lauded its two largest transport projects, just across the street news broke that the EU Commission is ..read more
Trillions trickling to international tech cooperation?
05 Jul A study by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, issued in 2016, which is co-chaired by  climate economist Lord Nicholas Stern, found that the world is expected to invest about $90trillion  in infrastructure over the next 15 years, requiring a shift to ensure that this money is spent on low-carbon, energy-efficient projects as “the window for making the right choices is narrow and closing fast”.  At a EU Commission workshop on July 5, 2017 on Technology Cooperation and ..read more
European FCH Technology visibility in UNFCCC ambition
19 May The globalization of climate technology development and deployment  not only involves collaboration across OECD countries but increasingly between universities and private companies in large emerging economies, such as China, India and Brazil as well as in other countries. In China 1700 foreign R&D centres have been set up over the last 10 years.  The EHA as a member of the UNFCCC Climate Technology Centre and Network CTCN, recently has been facilitating a succesful Technical Assistance request of the Brazilian government ..read more
Synergize! Blend! Jumpstarting EU’s Energy-Transport Infrastructure in 12 EU Member States?!
23 Mar As 12 of the 17 national policy framework plans required under including the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (COM2014/94) include hydrogen, meaning that by 2025 national H2 refuelling networks need to be in place, recent topics in the Connecting Europe Facility funding programs call for synergies between clean energy and transport infrastructure and blending financing and funding to fill gaps to market of clean alternatives. The EU Communication on Accelerating Clean Energy Innovation part of the EU Clean Energy for All Europeans ..read more
Looking for synergies in 2016…..
22 Dec The EHA, over the course of 2016, explored several synergies with various new initiatives that will change the hydrogen landscape in Europe and beyond. In the beginning of 2016 the EHA set up several exchanges with the new Hydrogen Europe association to look at alignment of the EHA activities with the ambitions of this new European FCH Industry Association. As the FCH industry is preparing for bigger investments in the next few years, political support and facilitated financing is key. ..read more
H2Spotting in Jumbo Energy Plan for “all Europeans”
30 Nov Bear with us! This will be our largest introduction to our  monthly news brief so far as the European Commission presented on November 30, 2016 an enormous package (see photo) of measures of updates to its Energy Union. The new package, entitled “Clean Energy for all Europeans” contains three primary goals: putting energy efficiency first (yess binding targets!), achieving global leadership in renewable energies and providing a fair deal for consumers. What has been made clear in the package is the ..read more
H2 Movers and Shakers
31 Oct The EHA was recently asked by the th Paris Process Mobility and Climate PPMC, to name a few movers and shakers in the FCH trasnport community for their event in Marrakech during the COP22. The PPMC is an inclusive platform that actively invites all organizations and initiatives that support effective action on transport and climate change to join in the process. The PPMC was created in early 2015 to strengthen the voice of the sustainable transport community in the UNFCCC process, ..read more
More in store for energy storage?
19 Sep A year ago an unprecedented  leak in the Aliso Canyon natural gas reservoir, that had been feeding the network of natural gas plants mobilized in peak time in the Los Angeles basin, released  1.6 million pounds of methane into the atmosphere. In May,2016 the California Public Utilities Commission mandated an accelerated procurement for energy storage and Southern California Edison, among others, was directed to solicit a utility-scale storage solution to be operational by December 31, 2016.  Last week,Tesla was selected to ..read more
EHA Summer Brief 2: Coolest FCH spots in Europe
31 Aug Our coolest H2 spot last week was undoubtfully the quiet and empty CHIC hydrogen bus on line 84 in the centre of 35 degree Milan. Zipping through an almost empty city from the centre San Donato bus station near the Milanese ATM bus depot, the three FCH buses are serving line 84 since 2013. Bus drivers were praising the bus quality in general; the comfortable driver seating area, the soundless operations. Marco Pirani, ATM bus depot manager, showed the Linde ..read more
Fireworks in Brussels: decarbonizing transport with (sales) targets?
22 Jul Delaying the publication of our July’s EHA  Monthly Update till after the Belgian Independence Day fireworks of July 21 was worth it: the EU’s Communication on A European Strategy for Low-Emission Mobility  published on July 20 (COM2016/501) did it again: surprising the incrowd with its zero emission ambition as it stated: “as transport represents almost a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions and is the main cause of air pollution in cities, Europe’s answer to these challenges is an irreversible shift to low-emission ..read more
WHEC 2016 links Spain to Europe’s H2 corridors!
13 Jun The president of Aragon, Francisco Javier Lambán Montañes, opened the 21st of edition of the World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Zaragoza on June 13, 2016 (see photo with on the left Javier Brey, president of the Spanish Hydorgen Association, AeH2 and vice  presidentof the EHA). In the first plenary session, with the presence of Tudor Constantinescu, principle advisor DG Energy, Manfreid Klietz vice president of Research Powertrain of the BMW Group and Jacques Prieraets, vice – president Communications, External and Environmental ..read more
Power to Hydrogen: the ultimate e-fuel?
11 May The eagerly awaited EU Commission’s  Decarbonisation of Transport Communication, that is foreseen this summer, will probably see a first reference to e-fuels. Marie Donnelly, DG ENER Director of Renewables, Research and Innovation, at the EDF en Philips sponsored Egmont Institute’s event on May 4, 2016 in Brussels, “Energy Transition: a mulitfaceted challenge for Europe”, introduced a “new” alternative fuel,  in addition to electricity and biofuel, that could help force renewable energy into EU’s transport refuelling infrastructure. The so called  “e-fuels”, ..read more
Lowlands move on innovative zero emission vehicles
30 Mar There seems to be a zero emission Spring looming during this Dutch EU presidency; Google kicked off its “selfdriving” bicycle on April 1 in Amsterdam and the Dutch Parliament on March 29, 2016 adopted a motion to require the sales of new vehicles in 2025 to be “emissie vrij”. The EU Dutch presidency is organizing a joint Environment and Transport Council on April 14 -15, 2016 that promises to emit some fresh air into EU’s transport policies, while Dutch fuel cell ..read more
Super Tuesday in Geneva: Pininfarina launches a FC “Tesla”!
02 Mar In the corridors of recent motorshows whispers on who would build the FC TESLA have  become increasing vocal. So they did it again…. out of the stalls of one of Italy’s famous car engineering firms, the one that put Paris Autolib on the BEV map, Italian Pininfarina on Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016, launched the H2 Speed. In partnership with GreenGT, a Franco-Swiss specialist in electric powertrain outfit.  Pininfarina describes the carbonfibre “H2 Speed”as being ‘halfway between a racing prototype ..read more
Oui can? COP21 impact on H2 and FC uptake
03 Dec The Paris COP21 agreement approved on December 12, 2015 seems to includes all the right phrasing (see art 2, page 22)) to help remove the final barriers to put H2 and FC firmly on the global “post Paris” map: “global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels….low greenhouse gas emissions development … finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climateresilient development…” In addition and thanks to the efforts of members of the French Association of Hydrogen ..read more
Paris goes H2, where do you go? EHA Monthly update 11/2015
10 Nov Recent announcements, from the kick off of the first commercial joint venture to develop Germany’s 400 HRS network by 2023, to the winning provider of the first public hydrogen station provider in Paris (EHA member McPhy), hydrogen infrastructure development in Europe is reaching important milestones that will change the H2 game in Europe. As conventional solutions will prove increasingly difficult to lobby in Brussel, a realistic but ambitious joint message, together with car manufacturers, on potential short term EU market ..read more
Comparing notes: the EU and US clean power plan(t)s
07 Aug This might become known as (another) hottest summer to date. As wildfires rage through California, much of southern Europe have seen temperatures hovering close to the 40s. Indeed policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic seem to chose this summer to announce energy and climate policies . Two weeks after the EU Summer Energy package hit the press, on one of Brussels’ hottest days, the US president launched his contribution to curb emissions from coal plants and push for renewables. ..read more
The H2 Do-Ron-Ron-Ron in Aberdeen
05 May At this stage of fuel cell and hydrogen deployment we tend to busy ourselves a lot with necessary policy support measures, the need for standardisation, “chicken and egg and hen challenges” or contemplate overarching dissemination strategies and financial schemes. We forget that in many places in Europe fuel cell vehicles are hitting the roads everyday and are quickly becoming a reality in the working lives of many colleagues. Take Ron, the Platinum 19 bus driver in Aberdeen, with whom we ..read more
Hydrogen, hydrogen everwhere……. making headlines
20 Mar The BBC business section on the day of  solar eclipse on March 20 published another story  with a cosmic dimension under the title “Hydrogen, Hydrogen, everywhere…” Pointing to the abundance of hydrogen in the atmosphere and its use in the first fuel vehicles. The story features FCH JU chairman Pierre Etienne Franc pointing to the long road ahead, while Toyota’s Nik Pearson points to the announcement that it would share nearly 6,000 of its hydrogen fuel cell patents portfolio covering ..read more
Window on position of H2 and FC in upcoming EU Policy
09 Mar Over the last few weeks the EHA was able to gather a few indications of the position of hydrogen in this Commission’s energy and transport policy. The general impression is that, as this Commissioners is divided in  project teams, which are led by Vice-Presidents, Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy, Jobs, Growth, Investment & Competitiveness, Digital Single Market and A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union,  their alignment with the the ongoing activities on clean energy and transport is still ..read more
TEN T continues H2 corridor support
11 Feb The latest Trans European Network for Transport TEN T call, that closes on February 26, 2015 is seeing again a number preparations of several H2 corridor proposals. Just before the successful results of the first TENT Hydrogen Infrastructure (HIT project ) were presented last December, the HIT2 Corridors kicked off linking the HIT locations to hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) along the Baltic Sea from Sweden to Finland. It will also add four new National Implementation Plans in Finland, Poland, Latvia and ..read more
Paris 2015: Lighthouse City of Migration, Integration, Mitigation and Adaptation
13 Jan “Paris” in view of last week’s tragedy and bipartisan call for change, in 2015 hopefully will live up to its City of Light fame facilitating a step change not only towards sustainable migration/integration but also towards sustainable mitigation/adaptation. As the Lima UNFCCC COP 20 meeting, concluded at the end of last year on a slow step towards a new Kyoto agreement, the Paris COP 21 meeting this December is put under pressure to ensure an adequate global response.   On ..read more
For under the EU Christmas tree: bankable hydrogen projects
05 Dec As the focus of the proposed European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), unlocking 315 bln in the coming 3 years , will be on on infrastructure, notably energy networks as well as transport infrastructure in industrial centres and broadband education, research and innovation; and renewable energy and in SMEs and middle capitalisation companies the question for the hydrogen community will be how to tick the right boxes with bankable proposals.  Although the fund  is built on a guarantee of “only” € 16 billion from the EU ..read more
EU power-to-gas to the world?
05 Nov The last EU Council on October 23 -24 decided that all EU energy and climate targets for 2030 will be subject to the world’s ambition with regards to CO2 emission at the next UNFCCC meeting and it will revert to this issue after the COP 21 Paris Conference. In December 2015,  the Council indicated that it “will keep all the elements of the framework under review and will continue to give strategic orientations as appropriate, notably with respect to consensus on ETS, non-ETS, interconnections ..read more
Where will EU Energy and Transport Policy come from in 2014 – 2020?
10 Sep Over the last month various sketches of a new EU Commission surfaced but just before this monthly update was issued it is likely that there will be a Spanish Energy and Climate Commissioner who probably will need to confer closely with a Latvian Commissioner for “Energy Union”, the result of a long term effort of former former EC president Jacques Delors and former EU Parliament president Jerzy Buzek. Transport might end up in Czech hands and Environment will see a Danish ..read more
EHA AGM highlights relevant EU policy and New Members H2 Activities
08 Jul The Annual General Meeting of the EHA on June 26, 2014 confronted a line up of key EU policy requiring Member States to develop national plans for alternative fuel infrastructure by 2016, action plans on the integration of clean energy technologies by 2016 and national plans foreseen in the Communication Energy and Climate 2013 (COM 2014/15) that came out beginning 2014. The EHA in close cooperation with its National association members seeks to actively ensure the presence of the use ..read more
Elections point to need to secure positive energy for Europe
28 May The results of this weeks European elections will need some serious reflection of all Brussels stakeholders, including organisations promoting positive energy like EHA,  on how to engage more of Europe in sustainable growth towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon, competitive but fair economy. The dynamics in EU’s decision making bodies are set to be changed and the arrival of new policy makers in the EU Parliament could offer an opportunity to change pace and message: from where and when to here and now! ..read more
At EHEC 2014: EHA announces EU wide national FC-H2 incentives mapping
12 Mar The EHA, at a cocktail at the EHEC on March 12, 2014 announced its ambition to map incentives that support the deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell applications. Industry as well as policy makers are keen to find out where the (support) action is in Europe. In a constantly changing policy landscape at EU  (EC abandoning national renewable targets (COM204/15))  and local level deployment of commercial applications will need educated roll out plans. Insight in national and local incentives is ..read more
Hit the roads to the biggest H2 and FC shows in Europe!
06 Feb Only a few weeks left to join us at the two largest FC and H2 events on this continent: the European Hydrogen Energy Conference 2014, March 12 -14, 2014 in Seville and the Group Exhibit Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Batteries at the Hannover Fair, Hall 27, April 8-12, 2014 that is reporting the biggest fair size in 20 years! Many EHA national associations and industry members will participate in these events and will offer valuable insight in current status in ..read more
EHA National Members Associations bridging the H2 divide in 2014….
16 Jan The unwavering support of national and local networks of key stakeholders in building robust deployment channels for fuel cell and hydrogen applications is crucial to cement EU’s ambition to start the development of a EU wide commercial hydrogen refueling infrastructure.  As car manufacturers are coming out in presenting their ambition with commercial FC models (Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Corp at the Detroit Motor show on January 154 2014…) Several national H2Mobility programs that are currently underway in France, Sweden, Denmark ..read more
Taking stock of fuel cell bus deployment: autumn brief
08 Nov October saw an impressive number of gatherings in which the current status of  integration of fuel cell hybride bus in daily bus operations was presented. The CHIC intermediate conference on October 8,  gave insight in the bus  and refuelling infrastructure performance: the good news is that fuel cells increasingly exceed expectations as was already demonstrated in previous projects and that now also refuelling operations are operating at above 98% availability. Challenges still exist in optimizing the hybride system that has ..read more
Hydrogen industry first in responding to EU’s call for clean transport investment.
08 Oct The last day of September might become the first day of a step change in hydrogen refueling station development in Europe; after challenging rounds of negotiation, six partners in the German ‘H2 Mobility’ initiative – Air Liquide, Daimler, Linde, OMV, Shell and Total agreed to an action plan to develop a network of 400 refueling stations in Germany by 2023 with already 100 in place in the next 4 years. Total investment will amount to € 350 mln. by 2023. The ..read more
Hydrogen Infrastructure for Europe: covering every 300 km?
09 Sep In the latest feedback on the discussions on the specifications in Art 5 on Hydrogen Refueling Stations, HRS,in the EU Commission’s proposal for an EU Directive on Alternative fuels infrastructure  (COM 2013/18) it seems that Member States are hesitant in confirming targets for hydrogen stations. Many refer to the need to align the roll out of infrastructure with the roll of out of  (fuel cell) vehicles. Industry is questioning if the 300 km distance between stations of a national HRS network is not too high, referring to the need for solid urban HRS networks as well.
Turning heads: towards a Hydrogen Event of the Year
02 Aug In this season of festivals it is tempting to imagine a hydrogen event that will turn heads and attract the crowds of Glastonbury, V Festival, Pukkelpop or Aix en Provence. Hydrogen conferences to date have attracted mostly researchers, application developers, consultants, government officials (sent of paying out of pocket), students (sent or paying out of pocket), retired engineers regretting not to be part of this wave. Although the H2 and FC industry over the last 7 years has achieved remarkable results in terms of performance and costs and many Drive and Rides are part of the program,  the general public let alone VIP or even local press do not seem to find their way yet to these events. The coming European FC and H2 event season offer an opportunity to change this tide: the EHA will be presenting at the International Conference on Hydrogen Safety, September 9- 11 in Brussels,  
EHA AGM puts national hydrogen associations at centre stage in H2 roll out
03 Jul At the last EHA Annual General Meeting on June 28, 2013,  EHA members discussed how to effectively engage EHA's network of 21 national associations in the new hydrogen infrastructure opportunities described in recent EU policy. Both the EU Clean Power for Transport package, presented last January and the EU Energy Technologies and Innovation communication of last May have put hydrogen at the forefront of EU ‘s clean transport and energy ambitions. This will require strong local stakeholder networks that are able to  develop and execute local hydrogen deployment strategies that make use of the excellent European technologies in this field that are now entering commercial stage. The presentation of DG Energy  at the AGM,  on the EU’s expectations on the role of electrolysis in energy storage, pointed to the need to explain that the rapidly increasing need for energy storage needs to take into account the time and investment required to arrive at competitive storage solutions like hydrogen.
EHA’s Annual General Assembly on June 28, 2013 Brussels turns national
06 Jun At this year’s Annual General Assembly on June 28, 2013 in Brussels, during the EU Sustainable Energy Week,  the EHA will highlight the activities of its various national associations in the development of national H2Mobility programs that are currently under way in several  countries in Europe.  Over the last year the EHA, in collaboration with HyER, has supported the development of the first hydrogen project funded by the EU Trans European Network for Transport (TEN T), the HIT project (Hydrogen Infrastructure for Transport), that is supported by four countries along a 1000 km TEN T corridor from Gothenburg to Rotterdam. The project, that was signed by the Ministries of Transport and Infrastructure of Sweden, Denmark and France and is coordinated by the Netherlands, is seeking to harmonize National Implementation Plans for the build up of hydrogen refueling stations.  These NIP’s seek to identify sustainable market deployment strategies that involve the most important national stakeholders, including SME and are linked to the strategies of neighbouring countries.
EHA AGM June 28, 2013: What has Hydrogen in Store for 2014-2020?
01 May Over the last few of months the reference to hydrogen in key EU transport and energy policy dossiers is asking for clear and realistic strategies for the deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell applications throughout Europe. A recent meeting organised by the EU Commission on “Hydrogen in the Economy” saw a line-up of detailed presentations on the contribution of different hydrogen applications to EU’s new ambitions for 2030 if not 2050. The meeting also demonstrated different approaches of car OEM, power companies and turbine industry to hydrogen and fuel cell deployment in future vehicles, stationary applications and as grid balancing solutions.
EHA featuring expertise in national hydrogen infrastructure development.
07 Mar The EHA has been collaborating with its 21 national member associations to communicate relevant EU and project results to key stakeholders at national and local level. Over 300 companies active in hydrogen fuel cell development are represented by the EHA national associations. As an associate partner of the European Association for the Storage of Energy, EASE , EHA industry members have contributed relevant hydrogen storage information to the EU Roadmap for Energy Storage Technologies that EASE is developing collaboration with ERA and the Commission to map the technology development needs that could be included in future EU work programs. The EHA is also activating its national members to get in touch with their transport ministries to collect the responses of national governments to the EU Clean Power for Transport package that was presented last January.
New era for hydrogen sector in EU alternative fuel ambition?
29 Jan The European Hydrogen Association, EHA, representing 21 national associations promoting the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier in clean transport and energy applications, welcomes the EU Commission Communication on Clean Power for Transport and its support of the role of hydrogen in decarbonising Europe’s transport system. As several EU Member States have made impressive steps in planning their national hydrogen production, distribution and refuelling station network the need to start the harmonisation of these national efforts, to ensure a sustainable roll out in all EU Member States in the future, is crucial. Through its network of national member associations the EHA is representing over 300 large as well as small and medium-sized companies active in hydrogen and fuel cell system development, many of them market leaders. National associations have up-close insight in which key political and industrial stakeholders to engage in national infrastructure development efforts.
Introduction
04 Oct As the pavements of Brussels are once again filled with the hustle and bustle of employees returning after the summer holidays, the EU Institutions too are back at full speed paving the way for high-performing, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services through the EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) a 50 billon growth package under the Multi Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020.  During a high level CEF conference on 2 October EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso vigorously defended the CEF plan during negotiations as he said, for him, it is one of the most prominent features for growth in the proposed MFF 2014-2020. However the CEF fails to secure budget for alternative fuel infrastructure build up in its energy and transport budget. The EHA therefore over the last weeks has stepped up its lobbying of EP rapporteurs to include the amendments that the EHA in collaboration with HyER and the NEW IG proposed. Rapporteur Adina-Ioana Vălean inserted a reference to the need to include synergy projects that link transport and energy in which she mentions specifically electricity and hydrogen.
Introduction
09 Sep As summer finally closes in and the first leaves begin to fall from the trees, the hydrogen topic appears to be evergreen and continues to grow! This Autumn features the launch of the European Hydrogen Road Tour by H2 Moves Scandinavia, bringing a fleet of FCEVs across Europe spanning 9 cities in an effort to reach out to politicians, industry, press and public through seminars and Ride and Drive events to get the message across – hydrogen vehicles are already here! Scandinavia’s  pioneering efforts in the field of hydrogen  were again demonstrated by the opening of a hydrogen refuelling station in Hynor Lillestrom  recently. This is the fifth hydrogen refuelling station in the Greater Oslo Area, four of which are car-related stations, while all five stations are operating at 700 bar pressure.
Introduction :Storing Clean Energy in Future Urban Networks
03 Aug As July rained by in Brussels, strays of hydrogen appearances in EU dossiers  pointed to increasing expectations on the development of clean hydrogen production and distribution networks that offer solutions for Europe’s increasing energy storage and emission reduction challenges . The Smart Cities and Communities (SCC) Communication that was presented on July 2012 in Brussels, is dedicated “to demonstrating commercial-scale solutions in a small number flocations, thus supporting European cities and communities to meet their commitments in the fields of energy, transport, air quality or climate change mitigation.”
Introduction
06 Jul June saw the successful launch of the Let Hydrogen Move You  event hosted by EHA, HyER, and the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking at the Palais des Academies in Brussels on June 21. The event showcased updates of the most recent activities in the main fuel cell vehicles  demonstration projects across Europe.  A Drive and Ride gave participants and member of the public an opportunity to test drive, electric battery, hybrid and fuel cell cars. The EHA annual generally assembly coincided with the above event which saw the election of a new Board.  EHA would like to warmly welcome Henning Tomforde of the Linde Group  also say goodbye to two long standing members of the board, Jaco Reijerkerk of Linde Group, Benelux and Jacques Smolenaars of the Dutch Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association. We thank them for their efforts and contributions over the years and wish them every success in their future ventures.
Introduction
08 Jun This month hydrogen “moved” a lot of communities around the world. At the World Hydrogen Energy Conference, WHEC 2012, more than 1.000 registered participants, gathering in  the financial district in downtown Toronto, tried to move the Canadian government to step up its support for larger scale use of hydrogen as an energy storage solution and in clean urban transport.  The EHA presented several FCH JU projects at the WHEC (HyFacts and HyLift Demo) and co organised a session at the WHEC on collaboration between “emerging hydrogen economies”. This session  followed a meeting in Capetown in which  South Africa moved the country representatives at the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel cells meeting to a whole new level of  global collaboration engaging local players and expertise. 
Introduction
27 Apr The Energy Tax Directive proposal that  the EU Commission presented last year was voted down on April 19 as the Parliament was not ready to increase taxes in the current economical climate. According to the EC  proposal, the motor fuel tax shall be split between a CO2 based and an energy based component by introducing a minimum flat tax for all fuels to be implemented stepwise until 2018,  offering an option to the Member States to postpone any tax increase to 2023. The EP report recognized the need for consistency with regards to the rates of taxation, but suggested a highet tax on diesel and supportive measures for CNG and biogas. The proposed new tax system would automatically redistribute the relative advantages of various fuels in terms of CO2 emissions.
Introduction
05 Dec This month important EU programs for the commercialization of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell applications gathered in Brussels and Antwerp. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking celebrated its mid-term Stakeholder General Assembly highlighting the contribution of several projects to its commercialization objective. EHA participates as dissemination partner in 5 projects that were included: HyFACTS, FC-HyGuide, SHEL, HyLIFT-DEMO, HyPROFESSIONALS. In the keynote on the following day the need to leverage more public funding at all levels to support a smooth market roll out was one of the key messages. Following the events, the EHA interviewed FCH JU president of the Governing Board Pierre Etienne Franc and asked him how he views the role of national associations as well as the EHA. The EU Trans European Network for Transport invited the president of HyER , the renamed HyRaMP Partnership for Hydrogen Fuels Cells and Electro-Mobility in European Regions, to its info days on the new TEN-T Guidelines in Antwerp to present his views on how hydrogen and fuel cell technologies could best be integrated in the TEN-T network in the coming 20 years. The EHA and HyER are currently exploring the preparation of proposal under the upcoming TEN-T Call.
Introduction
07 Nov The kick-off of new vehicles demo projects under the FCH JU program throughout Europe this autumn, coincides with the launch by the EU Commission of new infrastructure programs that are increasingly referring to the need to start serious integration of low carbon technologies in Europe’s energy and transport system. The presentation of the EU Connecting Europe Facility on October referred to a budget of € 50 bln to Energy ( € 9 bln), ICT ( € 9 bln) and Transport (€ 32 bln). Especially the reference to the large budget for the Trans European Network for Transport (TEN T) program, that presented its new new Guidelines on the same date, should open opportunities for the integration of the first infrastructures for alternative fuels like hydrogen. The support of the EU Commission at the launch of HyER (former HyRaMP), ”Hydrogen, fuel cells and Electro-mobility in European Regions”, the association of local authorities hosted by the EHA on October 27 in Brussels is demonstrating that EU decision makers are looking to use the results of past and current demo projects to develop fact based policy and large scale programs to achieve the EU targets set out in the recent Transport White Paper. Linking the first hydrogen hubs that are being build up around the EU demonstration projects, along key corridors in Europe should therefore become part of national and regional strategic development. The EHA together with its 21 national member associations is ready to take on the challenge!
Introduction
29 Sep National Governments are stepping up support of hydrogen in clean energy and transport systems! Recently new funding announcements of several national governments in Europe seem to indicate that the role of hydrogen in clean transport is becoming more and more recognized. Denmark has established 97 million Danish Krones (13 million Euros) will be applied for the development of hydrogen and fuel cells. The Netherlands  aims to facilitate a sufficient infrastructure build up of hydrogen refuelling network to attact the first fuel cell hydrogen car fleets, buses trucks as well as passenger cars with a budget of 5 mln is set aside for these efforts. A total of 3 calls for project proposals strictly in the field of hydrogen technologies will be launched in France up till the end of 2011.  The projects surround the demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, stationary applications, and energy storage. The UK recently opened the first public refuelling station in the country. In view of these developments the EHA recently initiated a dialogue with the FCH JU to step up the EHA's support in accelerating the engagement of national decision makers in the further roll-out of fuel cell and hydrogen applications and necessary infrastructure. Through its 20 national member associations, the EHA is well placed to inform national stakeholders about EU policy developments and activities in other Member States to stimulate more political and budget commitment. On the other hand EU policy makers need to be updated on recent developments and achievements at national level in order to integrate more support for hydrogen developments in EU programs. In order to leverage this unique position of the EHA and its national associations it is increasingly important to gather information on what is happening at national level and to establish a regular and consistent collaboration with key decision makers at national level to communicate the latest developments. The EHA is presenting updates on the results of the EU funded projects in hydrogen demonstration and deployment at several national association meetings and conferences in Europe, last month in Scotland (WHTC 2011) and Hungary (Chances and Challenges for EU and Hungary). Do not hesitate to contact the EHA secretariat to organize a presentation at one of your events in the near future at: info@h2euro.org.
Introduction
29 Aug Hydrogen and Fuel Cell transport is breaking barriers and records! The Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, with support of Linde Benelux, built a fuel cell powered formula 1 race car, The FORZE IV. The vehicle broke a fuel cell car record on August 16, 2011 in the Hague, Netherlands. Covering the 1/8th mile in just 10,459 seconds, it beat the previous record by one second! The EHA took the opportunity to interview Jaco Reijerkerk, Head of Business Development Linde Gas Benelux to get his view on the event and the developments in the hydrogen industry. Hamburg, a pioneer in hydrogen bus demonstration in Europe is progressing in full speed as the most recent city to bring new Fuel Cell Hydrogen (FCH) powered buses in regular public transport service. The next cities to follow include Aargau (CH), Bolzano/Bozen (IT), Milan (IT) and Oslo (NO). Earlier this year, London and Cologne also saw the start of FCH bus operation. All mentioned cities are linked to the Clean Hydrogen In European Cities (CHIC) project. In view of the European Council meeting which will address non-budgetary ways to support transport infrastructure build up, EHA in a joint effort with the FCH JU Programme Office, NEW IG and NERGHY , submitted a letter to European Council members on the occasion of the EU Transport Council the beginning of September, underlining the need a comprehensive support strategy and incentives to facilitate the rapid build up of new infrastructure for clean fuels in view of the new TEN T Guidelines. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) closed its 4th call for proposals on August 18th 2011. Results of the evaluations will be available at the end of September 2011. The EHA’s contribution to the dissemination of 5 FCH JU running projects has demonstrated the EHA’s work as an effective communication and information instrument. The EHA over the summer has facilitiated the development of proposals consortia for the current FCH JU 2011 Call and, under the umbrella of FAST, has been included in 3 project proposals which involve the topics of Energy Storage, Training for Emergency Responders and a demp projects for Fuel Cell Forklift Trucks. Increasingly our colleagues in new EU Member States are stepping up their efforts to engage their politicians in hydrogen development. As the Hungarian government is preparing its national energy strategy the Hungarian Hydrogen Association will be hosting a workshop on the 29th of September in Budapest to present the role of hydrogen to local and national officials with regards to opportunities and challenges in national energy and transport systems. The EHA will be presenting the results of the current FCH JU projects it is involved in (see under EHA Project Info) at this event.
Introduction
27 Jul Along with the summer sun comes new opportunity and milestones for the future of hydrogen and fuel cell promotion and deployment. The French Hydrogen Association (AFH2) and the French Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Platform (HyPaC) will join their efforts to accelerate the hydrogen and fuel cell technologies’ deployment in France in a new strong national structure which will federate the hydrogen and fuel cell community in France. Materials Handling applications received a lift when Ballard Power Systems committed to purchase a minimum 3,250 fuel cell stacks over the next 18-month period, for use in the material handling market. The HyLIFT-DEMO project held it's second project meeting this month in Herning, Denmark. During the meeting the prototype forklift for the project was presented. EHA is a partner in both HyLIFT-DEMO and the SHEL project, which will demonstrate fuel cell and hydrogen forklift truck applications in various sites in Europe. Fuel Cell and Hydrogen technologies are foreseen to also reach new markets in developing countries. The European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) and the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) will explore the prospects for hydrogen as a key fuel in the future energy system during the 'Environment and Energy Conclave' from 25-27th of August in Kalkata, India. The delegation places hydrogen at center stage within a panel discussion 'Hydrogen: How is it delivering the fuel of the future?' The public is now able to take part in the work of two European funded projects HyFACTS and FC-HyGuide. HyFACTS has publicized a survey targeted towards regulatory and safety officials able to provide feedback on hydrogen and fuel cell authorization procedures and training of officials in Europe. FC-HyGuide is offering training courses geared to provide interested participants a step-by-step guide on Life Cycle Assessment of hydrogen production and fuel cells. Courses will take place September 2011. (more information on European projects is found below)
Introduction
01 Jul Another year for EHA was marked with the 11th EHA Annual General Assembly that took place on June 21, 2011 in Oslo, hosted by the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum and the Region of Akkershus. During the meeting Ballast Nedam, a multinational construction company active in gas refuelling station building, was accepted as an EHA industry member and the Irish Hydrogen Association as the EHA's 20th national association member. This year's AGM featured the Scandinavian national associations members of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland and several Scandinavian companies presenting their latest activities (see presentations under EHA in Action). A visit to Oslo 's 700 bar hydrogen refuelling facility and recharging spots demonstrated the impressive progress Region of Akkershus is making in decarbonzing Oslo's urban transport. This summer many stakeholders in the hydrogen and fuel cell industry will be busy preparing their proposals before the deadline on August 18, 2011, following the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking publishing of the call for proposals (May 3, 2011). The EHA is verifying participation as a dissemination partner in various proposals leveraging its coverage in now 20 European countries through its national association membership. In addition the EC is launching its FP7 2012 Call this July; information days will take place July 7, 11-12, and 18-19 for the topics Energy Research, Public Private Partnerships and Transport.
Towards a Joint Vision on H2 Infrastructure Roll-Out
05 Jun Over the past months EHA has been involved in numerous actions with the overall objective to prepare the European context for Hydrogen transport and energy infrastructure. Through Consultations on the Strategic Transport and Technology Plan, Smart Cities Initiative and presence at the Cars 21 working group meetings, EHA was able to emphasize the need to start integrating hydrogen requirements in current transport and energy infrastructure planning while underlining needed technology improvements in battery electric and fuel cell electric power trains to reduce costs, large scale energy storage, smart grids facilitating the deployment of low carbon transport applications. The TEN-T, the Trans-European Network for Transport, will also include a calls for introducing innovative technologies into transport infrastructure projects. During the next info day that will take place June 29 2011, much emphasis will be put in the application of new technologies in transport infrastructure.
Introduction
01 May EHA solutes the the Mercedes Benz F-Cell World Tour as they conclude their final leg through Asia and return to Germany; and although the summer months bring new endings for some, new beginnings for others are underway with the development of two new hydrogen stations within Swindon, UK and Saitama, Japan. The EHA has been active over the last weeks in giving input on H2 infrastructure development in the Cars 21 WG 1 (April 28) and the FTF Expert Group (May 5). More input is needed on the perceived scale of H2 infrastructure needs in relation to the market perspectives on cars and buses. In this respect the EHA is closely following development in the EU’s TEN T and Energy Infrastructure programmes. New opportunities for FC and H2 projects are offered in the FCH JU Call that came out on May 3 with a budget of more than 200 mln. An excellent opportunity for EHA national associations to actively engage national stakeholders and seek leveraging of national and EU budgets for certain topics! The EHA is also expanding its outreach to the younger generation by announcing the EHA HyTube award at the Challenge Bibendum in Berlin youngsters are encouraged to send in their YouTube video on hydrogen activities in their country. The summer months will also bring new events to the surface including the EHA General Assembly which will take place on the occasion of a Mid-Summer Hydrogen Fest, a political meeting organised by HyRaMP and the Scandinavian regions. Taking place, in Oslo, Norway June 21st the event will bring together participants from all over Europe active in hydrogen and fuel cell research, development, and deployment within Europe. More information on this collaborative event will be featured in the EHA website in the coming weeks!
Introduction
07 Apr 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…..
Introduction
02 Mar At the EHA Spring starts early this year. Fuel cell vehicles seem to pop up more frequently in references to electromobility and comments on the long term perspective of hydrogen are contradicted by recent the Mercedes Benz F-Cell World Tour and new refueling station openings. Five Think hydrogen passenger cars will be launched during the he Norwegian Hydrogen Forum General Assembly and EHA industry member McPhy signed a contract with Italy’s largest power company Enel for one of its solid hydrogen storage units. The EHA assisted in the kick off of 5 European funded projects over the last month: February marked the kick off of the HyLIFT-DEMO project, demonstrating 30 Fuel Cell Forklift trucks in 3 European sites, the HyFacts project that is developing training programs for authorisation officials and the HyPROFESSIONALS project which aims to develop educational and training programs for future hydrogen professionals. The EHA also facilitated the first technical expert workshop in Brussels of the The FC-HyGuide project, which aims to develop a guidance manual for the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen based systems and related training materials and courses. Events to look forward to this following month include the HyRaMP commemorative cocktail which will highlight a new beginning for the partnership as it broadens it’s scope to Electromobility on March 16th. Both the EHA and HyRaMP are speaking at the European Parliament Seminar, “Powering Europe’s Future Mobility” hosted by the European political group ALDE on March 15.
Introduction
31 Jan As the EHA is entering its second decade of promoting hydrogen as a clean and flexible fuel, marked with a re-vamped website, EU policy makers increasingly consider the requirements of the use of hydrogen in their new policy. The report of the Commission’s Future Transport Fuels  Expert Group (see under EU Policy), that was presented on Janaury 25 by EU Transport Commissioner Kallas, to which the EHA contributed, included a large section on the role of hydrogen in decarbonizing Europe’s ..read more
Introduction
31 Dec The EHA concluded 2010 making the rounds in the Commission to pick up policy vibes that could further enhance hydrogen’s market landscape this decade. The EHA visited the cabinet of  Energy Commissioner Oettinger in December to sollecit support in engaging energy and transmission companies to include hydrogen in their future energy storage  and grid reinforcement development plans. Efforts to include hydrogen in EU’s energy and transport infrastructure plans resulted in hydrogen appearing in the last Communications of the Commission on ..read more
Introduction
30 Nov This past month has given way to new developments in the visibility of hydrogen in Europe. The Commission communication published on November 17, 2010, Energy infrastructure priorities for 2020 and beyond – A Blueprint for an integrated European energy network, refers to hydrogen used in electricity storage applications and the needs to build hydrogen transport infrastructure by 2015-2020 and aims to link SET plan renewable energy initiatives to new transmission, storage and smart grid technologies. The Commission has overall put ..read more
Introduction
31 Oct 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 ..read more
Introduction
30 Sep The EHA has been involved in two EU Commission Working Groups in two different Directorates  that are dealing with importnat aspects of hydrogen deployment in transport. The Working Group Hydrogen is finalizing the safety measures in hte implementation guidelines of the EU Regulation on the type-approval for hydrogen powered vehicles cars. This work has been carried out since the Regulation was adopted. The Regulation type-approval process will come online in 2012.  The Group is also looking at the environmental measures. The work is ..read more
Introduction
31 Aug The EHA used the quiet August month in Brussels to visit EU officials to inquire about the Commission’s plans for energy and transport infrastructure. As this autumn a communication on EU energy infrastructure development is expected as well as on a European Energy Strategy till 2030, the EHA last month has submitted a positon paper to facilitate  more concrete reflections on how a hydrogen infrastructure can best be integrated in national and local energy systems. We are also working on a ..read more
Introduction
31 Jul 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 ..read more
Introduction
30 Jun 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 ..read more
Introduction
31 May 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 ..read more
Introduction
30 Apr 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/HyER (formerly 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 ..read more
Introduction
31 Mar 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 ..read more
Introduction
28 Feb 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 ..read more
Introduction
31 Jan 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 scope of the proposed EU Electric Car Plan. Together with the JTI Industry Grouping NEW IG, HyER (formerly HyRaMP) and Fuel ..read more
Introduction
31 Dec The last weeks of 2009 have been dominated by the developments in the UN Climate Conference COP 15 in Copenhagen during which fuel cell cars whisked delegates criss cross Copenhagen. Although the final outcome did not live up to the EU aspirations of 30 % emission reduction by 2015,   EU’s commitment of  €7,4  bln in the next three years (2,4 bln already this year!)  to support developing counties to reduce emissions  could become important also for our sector, especially ..read more
Introduction
30 Nov The first Hydrogen Vehicle Bridge Crossing Event in Europe on November 30 from Malmoe to Copenhagen was the result of a very constructive collaboration between the EHA, HyER (formerly HyRaMP), the NEW IG JTI Industry Grouping and the JTI Programme office, coordinated by Danish hydrogen supplier  H2 Logic.  By pulling together the networks of these different organisations, a broad group of stakeholders in Europe were involved to get the cars to Malmoe and Copenhagen and to inform national and international ..read more
Introduction
31 Oct The FCH JU Stakeholders Assembly held in Brussels on October 26-27,  illustrated the impressive progress over the last 12 months in the development of  commercial hydrogen applications.  Honda’s key note speech demonstrated the commitment of car makers to the production of commercial fuel cell vehicles and Plug Power illustrated the steady progress in the commercialisation of stationary applications.  EU’s Research Commisisoner Janez Potocnic and DG TREN ‘s responsible unit director  Stefan Tostmann both mentioned the importance of the pioneering spirit ..read more
EHA hosts Second HyRAMP Annual General Assembly.
30 Sep HyER (formerly HyRaMP)’s Annual General Assembly on October 7-8, 2009 in Brussels focussed attention on the role of hydrogen in EU’s and local energy and transport policy. The secretariat of HyER (formerly HyRaMP), the European Regions and Municipalities Partnership for hydrogen nad fuel cells is hosted by the EHA.  The first day featured presentations of representatives of the Member States that that will be hosting the EU presidency till the end of 2010,  Spain and Belgium as well as national ..read more
Introduction
31 Aug August in Brussels saw tropical temperatures as if it was heating up for a new EU Parliament legislative term and the appointment of new Commissioners.  Important dossiers for our sector will be the new Clean Transport Communication  of last June, new EU Energy Efficiency Action Plan that will come out this November, new CO2 labelling for cars and CO2 emissions for vans and minibuses, plus the role out of the Economic Recovery Package with large funding for efficiency and sustainabel ..read more
Introduction
31 Jul The recent approval of the US Senate to increase the budget for hydrogen and fuel cells to € 190 mln for 2010, up from earlier  earlier announcements of the Obama administration that government spending on hydrogen for transport would be reduced, demonstrates the power that active and constructive lobbying can have on decision makers.  We salute our collaegues in the US with this success that should inspire us all to be more ambitious in contacting key decison makers in Brussels ..read more
Introduction
30 Jun As has been reported in previous EHA newsletters several new funding initiatives as a result of the financial crisis have been recently put in place that could offer additional funding to hydrogen and fuel cell activities. In order to interest authorities presiding over these funds to include H2 and FC projects in their funding schemes visibility of feasability of our technologies is crucial. Several high impact projects like the HyFleet CUTE project have offered this proof of concept to a ..read more
Introduction
31 May In view of the recently announced financing programmes of the European Energy Programme for Recovery (see under EU Policy), that covers support for new Interconnections, Wind ans CCS, the EU Green Car Initiative, Clean Bus Financing Facility and  Renewable Energy Financing Facility, all including billions of Euros of cofinancing or facilitated loans, the EHA at its Annual General Meeting on June 17, 2009 in Brussels will be focussing on potential links of these porgrammes with hydrogen developments in the presence ..read more
Introduction
23 Apr The US Department of Energy on May 7 announced significant cuts in  hydrogen transport  funding for 2010, as it says it will be concentrating  on near “term solutions as biofuels and batteries”. The situation in Europe seems quite different; taking into account the increasing funding levels of EU JTI Calls in the coming years and the start of national programmes in Germany and Scandanavian countries, combined with important developments at regional level throughout Europe. The EU in 2010 will actually ..read more
Introduction
23 Mar Recently funding levels for clean technologies seem to increase  by an addtional three 0’s, the talk is billions: €6 billion for the EU Green Cars Initiative, an extra €8 bln for regional projects on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the EU Cohesion funds that will be  extended to all EU Member States,  €5 bln for CCS, wind and smart grid development. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies have links to all of these topics, extending the range of electric ..read more
Introduction
23 Feb Over the last weeks the EHA presented EU policy affecting the use  of hydrogen as an energy carrier as well as local developments at several events in Brussels: the EHA session at the EU Sustainable Energy Week , February 9, organized by the EU Commission, saw updates on several regional activities with regards to sustainable hydrogen production. Even the EU Sustainable Energy Award had its first hydrogen and fuel cell winner in the Hyfleet Cute project, that received the Award ..read more
Introduction
23 Jan January marked the start of a crucial year for the EU at a critical moment for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in Europe. Most of the  massive economic recovery plans that are being announced at EU and national level all link financial support are linked to sustainable development. The EHA Board on Janaury  27 therefore discussed  a set of key messages that will be presented to EU and national decision makers to emphasize the key role of hydrogen as ..read more
Hydrogen rocks…. bottom?
20 Feb The continuing rain and damp in Northern Europe,  accompanying the hottest winter to-date, seem to have hit hydrogen especially hard this February 2024…. On February 2, 2024  the ambitious Power to Methanol project in the port of Antwerp, started in 2019 to produce methanol from captured CO2 combined with hydrogen that has been sustainably generated from renewable electricity; with each tonne of methanol produced at least one tonne of CO2 emissions would be avoided. The consortium, ENGIE, Fluxys, Indaver, INOVYN, ..read more
Hee H2! We need a ten fold effort to stay on Net Zero course!
20 Dec According to the latest Hydrogen Insight of December 2023 of the Hydrogen Council/McKinsey,  electrolyser installations need to increase with a factor of 250, from 1.1GW capacity today to the planned 305 GW in 2030. This will translate in a cost 0f $570 bln and is still far short of the $1 trillion projected  by 2030 to arrive at Net Zero in 2050. While the projection for low-carbon hydrogen demand by 2050 in its net-zero scenario has stayed at 450 million ..read more
Made in Europe, Renewable Hydrogen at 4,5 euro’s kg, anyone?
28 Nov Hydrogen made in Europe under 4,5 euro’s per kg is here to come! The First EU Hydrogen Auction, launched under the European Hydrogen Bank, was announced by the EU Commission on November 23, 2023 in which producers of renewable hydrogen can bid for support in the form of a fixed premium per kilogram of hydrogen produced. A week before Germany announced the build up of its Wasserstoff Kernnetz and a week later EU institutions agreed to not unbundle hydrogen networks, ..read more
H2ands of soil, air and water in Global South
20 Nov On the first Day of the EU Hydrogen Week on November 20-24 2023 in Brussels, critics of Europe’s growing hydrogen import ambitions, joined the crowds at the exhibition grounds. Just after the opening session of the High Level Conference, where EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s speech just had been screened, pointing to the 17 billion euro of State Aid for the the first IPCEI projects and the 800 Euro mln funding for the first EU H2 Auction with ..read more
Going once going twice…… EU Hydrogen Bank first H2 auctions
15 Oct The EU is kicking of its last Commission year with a bang: the first EU domestic green hydrogen auction will be launched November 23, 2023. On September 28 and October 5, 2023 resp. DG ENER, responsible for the so called H2 Import Auctions and DG Clima, who will be overseeing the EU H2 Domestic Auctions, went on stage to explain the ins and outs. The idea of the EU Hydrogen Bank, announced in the State of the EU Union in ..read more
Where will all this green hydrogen be coming from?
20 Sep As indicated in the REPowerEU Plan, the “development of port infrastructure and their connection to both industrial and transport users in the vicinity will be of critical importance” for increasing the demand for renewable hydrogen in Europe to 20 million tonnes per year in 2030. Up to 42% (22 Mt, or 730 TWh) of total hydrogen demand in the EU in 2050 could be located in port areas, shows the first report of a study conducted by Deloitte Belgium for ..read more
Banking on Hydrogen…..
31 Aug Announced a year ago in European Station of Union, September 2022, the Commission on August 30, 2023, published the Terms and Conditions (T&C) for its pilot auction dedicated to European renewable hydrogen production to boost the production of renewable hydrogen in the EU. The T&C gives potential bidders preliminary information about the  economic design of the auction and to facilitate their bids. The auction to be launched on November 23, 2023 , is funded by the Innovation Fund under the umbrella of the EU ..read more
As of July 11, 2023 Europe’s hydrogen is officially renewabled!
20 Jun On June 20, 2023 the Commission  published the two delegated acts  on the EU definition of renewable hydrogenl. The first act defines under which conditions hydrogen, hydrogen-based fuels or other energy carriers can be considered as renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). The second act provides a methodology for calculating life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions for RFNBOs. The final texts are unchanged from the draft acts adopted by the Commission on 13 February 2023. The rules will formally enter into force ..read more
Hydrogen Hub Updates
26 May The IEA Global Hydrogen Review of 2022 states that Hydrogen clusters will catalyse larger infrastructure development and will facilitate large-scale hydrogen trade when linked to ports.  These hubs offer the four most important conditions for the rollout of hydrogen: Nerve centre for upscaling Existence and use of existing infrastructure like an existing gas grid Development of hydrogen applications in transport and mobility along EU’s transport corridors. Hydrogen as a ‘commodity’, for trade. The first corridors on which these hubs should ..read more
Synergy at last!
11 May Celebrating 10 years of forcing Synergy between EU’s clean energy networks and EU’s main transport corridors the Dutch Ministry of Infrastucture and Watermanagement co-organized the biannual meeting of the corridor coordinators of the Rhine Alpine, North-Sea Mediterranean and North-Sea Baltic TEN T corridors, all three running through the Netherlands hosted by the Port of Amsterdam. /the meeting focussed on forcing more synergies between the scale up of zero net energy networks and acceleration of the deployment of zero emission heavy ..read more