EHA Newlsetter 02/2011

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

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

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

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

FC-HyGuide Technical Expert Workshop

On 14th and 15th of February 2011, the FC-HyGuide Technical Expert Workshop was held at the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and Arts in Brussels.

Organised in the framework of the FC-HyGuide project, the workshop grouped experts from both research and industry, to present and discuss the first draft of the “Guidance document for performing LCAs on Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies”.

The workshop, organised in parallel sessions for discussing the specificities of each technology, was characterised by a fruitful discussion among all the participants.

EHA is a Dissemination partner within the FC-HyGuide project.
FC-HyGuide Website

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

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

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

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

McPhy Energy signs contract with Enel Group for solid hydrogen storage

McPhy Energy has announced that the company has signed a contract with the Enel Group, Italy for the supply of a solid hydrogen storage solution. The system has a capacity of 2 kilograms of solid hydrogen, stored in the form of magnesium hydrides (which do not require compression), offering an innovative solution for safe, reversible hydrogen storage, with energy efficiency.

A prototype of the system design was validated through a series of tests at the CEA-LITEN (the French national Laboratory of Innovation for New Energy Technologies and Nanomaterials in Grenoble, France).

The test tank was coupled to an electrolyser and to a fuel cell, successfully demonstrating the storage of renewable energy.

Hydrogenics Awarded Hydrogen Fueling Station In Norway

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

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

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

Norwegian Hydrogen Forum General Assembly and 5 Think Vehicles in Norway

The 2011 Norwegian Hydrogen Forum will be held March 29th in conjunction with the launch of  5 Think Hydrogen passenger cars in circulation in Norway. The vehicles are part of the HyNOR project which includes the building of a new hydrogen refuelling station in Lillestrom, Norway. The new station has begun building and is planned to be concluded in November of this year.

The Vehicles have 10kW FC (range extender) and a total range of 250 km. The 5 Thinks will be spread among various users including a local energy company, The Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), and one will be kept by the Norwegian Forum for car pooling.

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Hydrogen refueling station inaugurated in Arjeplog, Sweden

A new hydrogen refuelling station opened on February 1st 2011 in Arjeplog, Sweden. The opening is a result of costumer desire to test their electric cars with fuel cells in cold climates. Several car manufacturers can already show off hydrogen-powered electric cars that have a performance at the same level of a conventional car with a combustion engine. In 2015, hundreds of thousands of these fuel cell vehicles to roll onto the market, according to some of the major car manufacturers. The use of these vehicles in the cold climate of the region will aim to eliminate doubt as to how fuel cells function in the cold and winter climate, which makes the test arena in northern Sweden is very attractive. Over the years, the number of vehicle manufacturers who wish to test the gas-powered vehicles (both light and heavy) in a cold climate has steadily increased. It is considered possible to obtain a sufficient volume for deployment of one or two public stations in this region. Source: Vatgas

Hyundai – Kia Motors and stakeholders Nordic Countries sign MoU

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

Hydrogen & Fuel Cell workshops held at Renewable Energy Fair in Lyon

The Renewable Energy Fair , held in Lyon from 15 to 18 February 2011 included a series of workshops on hydrogen on Thursday February 17th.  The Four workshops co-organized by Tenerrdis, and the AFH2 ALPHEA were base around the theme ”Hydrogen / Fuel Cells” Space Energy & Research. The four thematic workshops were: Potential of hydrogen as a renewable energy storage Hydrogen and high mobility: the ultra-portable applications The hydrogen and carbon-free mobility Stationary applications The presentations can be viewed on the site: Alpha Hydrogene

Europe’s Renewable Energy Policy Conference

The biennial conference organised by EREC (European Renewable Energy Council) will provide an outline energy pathways to 2050 and debate the implementation of the RES Directive. A discussion on Europe’s infrastructure needs will also give emphasis on the key role of local actions, provide a global perspective on emerging markets, and feature the perspective of investors and developers. Registration and information: EREC  

European Fuel Cell Technology & Applications Piero Lunghi Conference Call for Abstracts

On December 14-16 2011,  the 4th European Fuel Cell Technology & Applications Piero Lunghi Conference and Exhibition will take place in Rome Italy.

This year’s conference edition will hold a series of scientific sessions and leading researchers and scientists  are invited to come from all over the world. The submission of abstracts of is now open.

Authors are invited to submit abstracts until 1st April 2011.

“Powering Europe’s Future Mobility” Seminar hosted in European Parliament

Tuesday, March 15th the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats group of the European Parliament will be hosting a half day seminar titled, “Powering Europe’s Future Mobility”.

The presentations will discuss European Mobility and Energy objectives including the role of hydrogen.

Discussions will be lead by officers of the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament, FCH JU, Members of HyRaMP and EHA, and more.

The topics to be addressed include:

EU Energy Infrastructure priorities: the challenge of energy storage

Hydrogen as Energy Storage solution: industrial perspective

Preparing for commercialization: EU Joint Undertaking for fuel cells and hydrogen

The role of energy companies: Green E-motion project
H2 Mobility: the German roll out plan

Cars 21: a new strategy for clean and energy efficient vehicles

Towards an EU Regional partnership for electromobility and hydrogen

Activities in New EU Member States: Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria

In order receive an access badge to the Parliament and to register for this event please send your full name and date of birth to elke.pingel@europarl.europa.eu

The final agenda to this event will be uploaded here, check EHA soon for updates!

HyER (formerly HyRaMP) Commemorates New Spring In Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Roll Out

On February 16th 2011, HyRaMP members along with additional European regions came together in an effort to establish the  “broadened HyRaMP Partnership” at a Workshop that took place in Brussels.

At a Workshop  HyRaMP future activities were discussed and it was decided to take the necessary steps to adapt HyRaMP’s structure and its name to reflect the new activities, to be presented to HyRaMP members at the next Annual General Meeting later this year.

To commemorate this new spring in European regions support for the roll out of electric vehicles in Europe, HyRaMP will be hosting a cocktail ceremony on March 16th at the Palais de Academies in Brussels.
For more information on this event please contact: secretariat@hy-ramp.eu