European Hydrogen Association » EHA Newsletter May 2010

Introduction

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 in Action

European Commission is preparing draft for new Energy Tax .

The European Commission is working on a new draft for a long awaited Energy Tax that could help alieviate the looming debt crisis in some EU Member States . The draft will have two components: the first is an energy tax based on fuels’ energy content rather than their volume as is the case now. The second is a carbon tax, which is being discussed in the range of 4 to 30 euros per tonne of carbon dioxide. Carbon taxation is already used by Denmark, Sweden and Ireland, and Britain, Germany and the Netherlands have various eco-taxes. The new rules would be phased in between 2013 and 2018, laying down minimum rates of taxation for everything from coal, to heating oil to biodiesel. The EHA went to see the Commission on May 10 to inquire about the consequences for hydrogen, which will be minimal if the CO2 will be taxed at the point of use. The EHA informed the cabinet of EU’s new taxation commissioner Algirdas Šemeta on the latest developments in hydrogen applications. The Commission is discussing the new draft on June 23. Recently the US National Academy of Sciences urged the government on May 19 to take drastic action to raise the cost of using [...]

EHA submits input to COWI study on the review of the SEVESO II Directive

EHA industry members acted swiftly to provide the EU Commission with detailed input on their operations to sustain the joint EHA/EIGA request to adapt the tresholds for onsite hydrogen storage in view of hydrogen refeulling infrastructure requirements . The Commission is expecting to finalize the impact study of various proposed amendments to the Directive before the summer. The EHA in collaboration with EIGA has stepped up its monitoring of various EU policy proposals on hydrogen developments. The European Parliament’s environment committee on May 4 adopted a proposal to recast the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive, which combines seven existing directives into a single directive on industrial emissions (IED). The proposal seeks to reinforce the implementation of the legislation, which obliges industrial installations to obtain permits from national authorities to release pollutants into the air, soil and water. MEPs strengthened the proposal by limiting the instances where public authorities can issue permits for installations that do not follow best available techniques (BATs). The Parliament did not however adopt an amendment suggested by the EHA to facilitate the authorisation of small hydrogen reformers in view of the development of the infrastructure for hydrogen as a clean energy vector. The proposal will be voted in [...]

EU Policy News

EC Communications analysis costs and benefits of 30% CO2 reduction target

On May 26 the the European Commission presented an analysis of the costs, benefits and options for moving beyond the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020 from 20% below 1990 levels to 30% once the conditions are met. At present these conditions have not been met. This communication follows the Commission’s Communication on “How to reinvigorate international climate negotiations” and the Council’s request to present an assessment on the impacts of a conditional move to a 30% emissions cut. The measures taken to support energy-intensive industries against the risk of carbon leakage are also examined as required under the ETS (Emissions Trading System) Directive. The Communication shows that the reduction in EU emissions as a consequence of the economic crisis, together with a drop in carbon prices, has changed the estimations two years ago when the revised ETS was presented. Therefore in light of the new data, an analysis of the implications of the different levels of ambition as a motor for modernising the EU economy and creating new jobs by promoting innovation in low-carbon technologies is provided. This analysis encompasses the efforts required in the main different sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond 20%, up to 30%, looking also at the impacts of these efforts and the potential policy options to achieve them. The current context of constrained public finances and economic contraction is also fully taken into account when assessing possible alternatives.

Competitiveness Council of the EU confirms hydrogen vehicles as ultra-low-carbon mobility option

The EU Competitiveness Council on May 25, 2010 indicated in its conclusions on the EU Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles Strategy 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 NOTES that hydrogen vehicles and electric vehicles are mutually complementary”. It also referred to hydrogen vehicles, together with electric batterty vehicles as a highly promising ultra-low-carbonpower-train technologies, as they have the potential, according to the Council, to: a. address the challenges of climate change and fossil fuel dependency; b. cut local air pollution and noise from transport and contribute to improving the air quality, in particular in cities and urban zones; c. enable synergies with smart grids and therefore promote renewable sources of energy and offer a possibility of energy storage; d. offer an opportunity to revitalise the industrial fabric in Europe by fostering innovation,growth and jobs; e. offer, in particular if combined with electricity generated from safe and sustainable sources of energy, including renewables, a superior well-to-wheel energy efficiency and can therefore contribute significantly to the objective of transport decarbonisation.The Council also stressed the need to focus on research excellence in order to ensure that [...]

Implementing measures published of EU Regulation on homologation of H2 vehicles

On May 18, 2010 the European Union published the implementing Regulation (EC) No 79/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles that includes measures regarding hydrogen propulsion, hydrogen components and hydrogen systems and for the installation of such components and systems. Regulation (2009/79) allows car manufacturers to apply for the EC whole-vehicle type-approval of hydrogen-powered vehicles on a voluntary basis. The regulation also provides for harmonised rules on hydrogen tanks, including for liquid hydrogen, is necessary in order to ensure that hydrogen vehicles can be refuelled throughout the EU in a safe and reliable manner. The implementing regulation can be downloaded here.

Events

15 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles as WHEC Ride & Drive Event

During the WHEC 2010 May 16-20, 2010 in Essen one of the largest Ride & Drive-events for fuel cell and hydrogen vehicles took place. Well-known manufacturers provided more than 15 vehicles for test rides. The Ride and Drive Event was free for all participants. The vehicles available were:
- Daimler (B-Klasse F-CELL, Citaro FUELCELL-Hybrid Bus)
- Fiat H2 and CNG Mixture Cars
- Ford (Ford Focus Fuel Cell)
- GM/Opel (Hydrogen 4)
- Honda (FCX Clarity)
- Hydrogenics Fuel Cell bus
- Hyundai/Kia (Borrego)
- HyTruck (Fuel Cell truck)
- Toyota (FCHV adv)
- Van Hool Fuel Cell Hybride Bus
- Volkswagen (HyMotion)

Hydrogen Hits the Roads

Opening of State-of-the-art H2 refuelling station in Berlin

Berlin, 12 May 2010. Germany in the Year of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2010: In the lead up to the World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC) in Essen, the Clean Energy Partnership, a syndicate of thirteen global corporations, sends an important signal. CEP partners Linde, Statoil and TOTAL expand the hydrogen infrastructure in Germany by opening a new H2 fuelling station on Holzmarktstrasse in Berlin.

The high-tech fueling station is equipped to offer long-term fuel supply to over 40 cars and commuter buses presently being tested by the CEP.

A $50,000 Hydrogen Car on the market by 2015

Toyota has managed to cut the cost of making a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle by 90% in the past five years. “Our target is, we don’t lose money with introduction of the vehicle,” said Yoshihiko Masuda, Toyota’s managing director for advanced autos. In result the automaker plans to offer a $50,000 hydrogen-powered vehicle by 2015.
The hydrogen announcement from Toyota, which has had a nearly singular focus on hybrids, is the latest move in a high-stakes chess game regarding green auto technology.
Toyota has cut hydrogen fuel cell costs by reducing platinum use to about one-third the previous level and finding cheaper ways to produce the thin film used in the fuel cells and the carbon-fiber hydrogen fuel tanks.
Some experts point to range and efficiency advantages that fuel cell cars have over gasoline or battery-powered vehicles. Nonetheless, high costs and lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure remain major obstacles to affordable and practical fuel cell cars.