EU Activites
In October 2002, a High-Level Group (HLG) was formed by the European Commission, consisting mainly of industry representatives (list of HLG members). No NGOs were invited to participate. This group was charged with the task to produce a report outlining “an integrated EU vision on the possible role that hydrogen and fuel cells could play in achieving sustainable energy.” It should also address requirements for the EU to achieve global leadership in this field in the next 20 to 30 years. The group released a final report in 2003 at a conference ‘The hydrogen economy - a bridge to sustainable energy’.
High Level Group Links
CAN-Europe's comments on the Draft report of the Commission’s HLG on H2
CAN-Europe's submission on the Draft report of the Commission’s HLG on H2
read CAN-Europe's press release ). HLG vision report summary
High-Level Group (HLG)
Final report - final version
The hydrogen economy - a bridge to sustainable energy - Conference proceedings
EU Research Activities - Technology Platform for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
In September 2003 the Commission implemented some of the recommendations of the High Level Group. The main institutional pillar of this EU hydrogen strategy was the creation of a Technology Platform for hydrogen and fuel cells, which started work in January 2004. The Platform was an effort to bring together the fragmented efforts in the field in all EU countries and consisted of over 30 representatives of mainly industry and academia, two NGOs and the Commission (see list here ).
Two documents were produced to guide the research work into Hydrogen and Fuel Cell technologies in Europe.
The Commission will continue to fund hydrogen and fuel cells lighthouse projects as part of its commitment to deliver a hydrogen economy.
More information:
• EU Commission: Technology Platform for hydrogen and fuel cells
• Hydrogen fuel cells technology platform websites – https://www.hfpeurope.org/hfp/hfp_home
• Strategic Research Agenda https://www.hfpeurope.org/uploads/677/686/HFP-SRA004_V9-2004_SRA-report-final_22JUL2005.pdf
• Deployment Strategy https://www.hfpeurope.org/uploads/677/687/HFP_DS_Report_AUG2005.pdf
• Other key documents from the platform can be found here:
• EU Commission: DG Research on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
• FP7 also includes options for research into hydrogen and fuel cells – official proposal
• http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2005/com2005_0119en01.pdf
European Parliament
MEPs launch Green Hydrogen Manifesto
A cross-party group of MEPs have launched a political initiative to promote the hydrogen economy, following up the creation of an industrial platform on hydrogen in 2004. This new initiative, however, is more concerned with renewable hydrogen, excluding nuclear or fossil fuel sources. All MEPs are being invited to sign the “European green hydrogen charter”, which lists thirteen key points related to the renewable hydrogen economy. Signatories will pledge to support all EU, national and local level initiatives (financial, economic, informative, experimental or scientific) which will help to lead to a hydrogen economy based on renewable electricity generation.
To view the groups manifesto click here
To view’s CAN Europe’s statement on the manifesto click here
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