EU Proposal TEN T Guidelines includes reference to zero emission propulsion systems
The Commission adopted on October 19, 2011 a proposal to transform the existing patchwork of European roads, railways, airports and canals into a unified transport network (TEN-T). The new core network will remove bottlenecks, upgrade infrastructure and streamline cross border transport operations for passengers and businesses throughout the EU. It will improve connections between different modes of transport and contribute to the EU’s climate change objectives. Art 10 on “Priorities” of the proposed new TEN T Guidelines states that “the Union, Member States, infrastructure managers and other project promoters, when developing the comprehensive network, shall give particular consideration to measures that are necessary for ensuring fuel security by allowing the use of alternative and in particular low or zero carbon energy sources and propulsion systems. This proposal also aims at ensuring that strategic energy networks and storage facilities are completed by 2020 with 9,1 billion Euros for energy infrastructure priorities. To this end, the Commission has identified 12 priority corridors and areas covering electricity, gas, oil and carbon dioxide transport networks. It proposes a regime of “common interest” for projects contributing to implementing these priorities and having obtained this label. Energy storage projects will be included. It is not yet clear how much of the budget is dedicated to renewable energy infrastructure.
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Fuel Cell And Hydrogen Joint Undertaking 4th Stakeholder’s General Assembly
The 4th Stakeholders’ General Assembly of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking brings together a broad range of European and global stakeholders from sectors including research, industry and financial communities, policy makers and international partners. Participants will gather to discuss and exchange views on achievements and the future developments of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen technologies, and benefit from networking opportunities.
The first day is devoted to a Programme Review. Its objective is to assess the progress of the portfolio of fuel cells and hydrogen projects in relation to the targets of the Multi-annual Implementation Plan (MAIP) and annual implementation plan as well as with reference to international developments in the field. The Programme review is also expected to feed debates and exchanges of the Stakeholders general assembly the next day.
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32 European regions aim “HyER”
October 27-28th During the 4th HyRaMP AGM, 32 member regions agreed to aim “HyER” in accelerating zero emissions vehicles.  HyRaMP has now changed to become “HyER”, Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Electromobility in European Regions. The event presented the new structure of the organisation, and welcomed two new members, the City of Rotterdam and the Region of Poitou Charentes.
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Belgium to shut down nuclear plants by 2025
Belgium’s political parties have reached a conditional agreement to shut down the country’s two remaining nuclear power stations. The plan for a shutdown of the three oldest reactors by 2015 and a complete exit by 2025 is conditional on finding enough energy from alternative sources to prevent any shortages. In 2009, atomic energy provided 55% of the country’s electricity generation.
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ASTM Gaseous Fuels Committee Developing Proposed Standards to Support Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Technology
ASTM Subcommittee D03.14 on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells is currently developing the last two of a series of standards designed to support ..read on»

‘The Business Case for Fuel Cells 2011’
Fuel Cells 2000 has released ‘The Business Case for Fuel Cells 2011: Energizing America’s Top Companies’, which follows on from last year’s ‘Why Top Companies are Purchasing Fuel Cells Today’. The report offers a brief introduction to fuel cells; their benefits in stationary, warehouse and backup power operations; and fuel cell financing, including power purchase agreements.
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6th International Renewable Energy Storage Conference and Exhibition (IRES 2011), Berlin
The next IRES conference in 2011 will take place at the bcc Berlin Congress Center on November 30, 2011. IRES 2010 attracted attendance from 41 countries with 600 attendees.
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5th International Seminar on Advances in Hydrogen Energy – Portugal
The  4th International Seminar on Advances in Hydrogen Energy: Opportunities and Challenges in a Hydrogen Economy, will take place on the 10-11th of November in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. EHA will be there!
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Energy Roadmap 2050: Choosing the sustainable pathway for power sector
The European Commission will put forward an Energy Roadmap 2050 in December 2011 which will outline various pathways to reach the objectives of the energy sector, EU priorities – sustainability, energy security and competitiveness. In this effort, a Coalition of European utilities will host a conference on the Roadmap in Brussels on 22 of November.
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9,1 bln for EU energy infrastructure priorities for 2020 and beyond, storage included.
On 19 October 2011, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for a Regulation on “Guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure”. This proposal aims at ensuring that strategic energy networks and storage facilities are completed by 2020. To this end, the Commission has identified 12 priority corridors and areas covering electricity, gas, oil and carbon dioxide transport networks. It proposes a regime of “common interest” for projects contributing to implementing these priorities and having obtained this label. also energy storage projects will be included. It is not clear how much of the budget is dedicated to renewable energy infrastructure.
For more information see: EU Energy Infrastructure 2020  
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Wednesday 19 October: Commission presents a “Connecting Europe” package
The Commission  present a package of proposals to establish integrated European infrastructure networks in the areas of transport, energy and information and communication technologies