FCH JU chairman and vice president Advanced Technologies Air Liquide described its dream of arriving in 2020 with at least three national hydrogen refuelling networks. This will require that industry and governments will together need to “jump” from research and development to serious investment in commercialisation   The sixth Fuel Cell Hydrogen  Joint Undertaking Stakeholders  General Meeting concluded that steady progress and alignment of national ambitions and expectations with the ambition this EU program will key for successful. With the upcoming FCH JU II program being decided by the EU institutions in the coming months, increasing the number of industry members in the FCH JU structure is crucial to fulfil the legal obligation for matching funds in the new program.

Japan presented its dream progress in stationary fuel cell roll out that is projected to 53.ooo installations in 2013 (METI). Ballard referred to its dream alliances with NSN (Japanese telecom) and Volkswagen. Industry indicated that fuel cells  and hydrogen need to be dream products with dream appeal with regards of performance. EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger indicated the role of hydrogen in energy storage that will be a crucial topic in achieving the EU’s dream for 2030 and 2050. Maire Geoghegan – Quinn, EU Research and Innovation Commissioner confirmed the Commission’s interest to continue the FCH JU as a successful public private partnership facilitating the commercial deployment of innovative technologies. FCH JU Director Bert de Colvenaer concluded that providing a good medicine” for the many energy and transport ‘headaches’ that society will need to address is the most important. A last call of the current FCH JU is foreseen before the end of the year: check this space!