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 of hydrogen and fuel cells in these plans.
The need to address the role of hydrogen in cleaning up Europe’s fuel mix was discussed with Lars Müller of DG CLIMA who is responsible for the to the Fuel Quality Directive that is currently under review. Mr. Müller invited the EHA members to submit suggestions and ideas on the role of hydrogen in reducing the greenhouse gas content of EU fuel mix. Philippe Vannson,  responsible head of unit for the FCH JU explained to Annual General Meeting the focus of the FCH JU II pr gram that will be launched on July 9.  He also addressed the concern of the EHA national members in Eastern Europe that the FCH JU allows sufficient funding for material research and basic research as in their countries that is is still the area where most of the H2 and FC activities in their countries are taking place.

The EHA also welcomed the Irish Hydrogen Association and the Anadolu University’s Institute of Natural Sciences in Eskisehir in Turkey, that hopes to establish a Turkish Association in the near future,  as new members. James Flynn of the Irish Hydrogen Associated mentioned that although few hydrogen developments are taking place in Ireland, recently the Irish government has asked the association to give input on the role of hydrogen for the new national Energy Plan.

EHA president Ian Williamson welcomed the Latvian Hydrogen Association as a new board candidate for the EHA, highlighting the aim of the EHA to support the needs of the broader European hydrogen and fuel cell community in all European countries, beyond the EU Member States, in developing a sustainable hydrogen infrastructure linking FC and H2 applications to clean transport and clean local energy networks.

Summer time has arrived. We wish you very nice green holidays.