20 Nov Stakeholder Forum 2018: Hydrogen is ready and set to power Europe
“Hydrogen is a key technology for achieving Europe’s climate and energy goals. Its potential benefits for the environment, consumers and European economy can power the transition of Europe’s energy sector towards a green future” said Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union, speaking at the FCH JU Stakeholder Forum today.
Addressing the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) Stakeholder Forum of energy and climate experts from industry, research, EU institutions, NGOs, and local and regional authorities, the Vice President underlined the need to combine different technological solutions to reach Europe’s ambitious goals. “We know that no single technology can solve our energy and climate challenges.”
The FCH JU is a public-private partnership which boosts European industry and SME collaboration, driving research, development, deployment and market introduction of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies and its annual Stakeholder Forum is a key moment of renewed collaboration and commitment by partners.
Bart Biebuyck, FCH JU Executive Director, said: “Europe is now ready to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen and fuel cells technology and build on its strong leadership position in this field. Our industry-lead partnership is delivering innovative solutions, while creating 1000s of hydrogen-related jobs”
Valerie Bouillon-Delporte, Chair of the FCH JU Board, added: “As hydrogen becomes increasingly important in the energy transition, the European industry is committed to investing in green hydrogen technologies and keeping its worldwide leadership.”
“In 10 years of existence the FCH JU partnership has showed the potential of the technology; we now to ensure need public acceptance, for this we need to continue promoting, telling the story of our success”, highlighted Signe Ratso, Deputy Director General of Directorate for Research and Innovation.
European Commission’s Director General for Climate Action, Mauro Petriccione, concluded:
“The development and testing of break-through technologies is a prerequisite for successfully combating climate change, while having a prosperous and modern economy. Deep decarbonisation of many sectors would require that new low carbon solutions are widely deployed in the coming years. Green hydrogen can help decarbonise many end-use sectors. Initiatives such as the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking and the other public-private partnerships have an important role to play to successfully support the development of such technologies.”
The FCH JU Stakeholder Forum’s 400 participants gathered in Brussels today are taking stock of the latest achievements of the sector while addressing the challenges of building the hydrogen infrastructure across the EU. Using hydrogen for renewables integration and sector coupling, and the economic potential of hydrogen in the global context are among the main topics discussed. Stakeholders agree that the partnership is delivering and must continue its work, building on the successes of the past ten years.
The presentations from the events are available at the links below: