The 2019 Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) Stakeholder Forum explored the need to scale up adoption of hydrogen for the EU’s energy transition.
The FCH JU forum, attended by more than 500 industry representatives and stakeholders, was held last week in Brussels. European Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans said in the opening session: “The green energy transition is not an option but a necessity. I see a pivotal role for clean hydrogen…it is an area where Europe is still leading. Why not extend the lead on something that could be one of the most important solutions for clean energy? The most important thing is that you help us to find ways to make relatively quick successes to show people that it works.”
As the EU and its Member States work to implement concerted action to mitigate the growing impact of climate change, the transition to green and renewable energy sources has become a key priority. Green hydrogen energy is projected to play a significant role in the European Commission’s Green Deal, with research indicating that large scale adoption of hydrogen as a fuel option could cut CO2 emissions across the EU by 96% by 2050.
Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, Chair of the FCH JU Governing Board and president of industry association Hydrogen Europe, said: “Hydrogen is here to grow; and massively. It will enable the deepest decarbonisation scheme the world has ever seen. To this purpose, Horizon Europe presents a real opportunity to speed up the innovation cycle toward fully decarbonised energies.”
The FCH JU Stakeholder Forum was preceded by the presentation of the Joint Undertaking’s annual FCH Awards, recognising projects which contribute to the development of innovative, low cost hydrogen fuel cell technologies. FCH JU Executive Director Bart Biebuyck said: “These projects are delivering results that enable Europe to be a leader in the fuel cell technology and have a strong impact on the clean energy transition. The aim is to pry open market potential, ensuring a greener future for the EU’s transport sector.”
