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 of 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.