FUEL CELL AND HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY: EUROPE’S

FUEL CELL ANDHYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY:EUROPE’S JOURNEYTO A GREENER WORLD

10th Stakeholder Forum I Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint UndertakingPrinted by Snel Grafics S.A. in BelgiumLuxembourg : Publications Office of the European Union, 2017 FCH JU, 2017Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.Print: ISBN 978-92-9246-321-2PDF: ISBN 050EG-05-17-090-EN-CEG-05-17-090-EN-NI3

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking I 10th Stakeholder ForumSTAKEHOLDER FORUM4I

10th Stakeholder Forum I Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint UndertakingFUEL CELL ANDHYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY:EUROPE'S JOURNEYTO A GREENER WORLDI1

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking I 10th Stakeholder Forum2I

10th Stakeholder Forum I Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint UndertakingCONTENTSIntroduction 501. Fuels cells and hydrogen – learning from history 1302. Making the vision a reality: origins of the FCH JU 1703. Progress 25The founding of the FCH JU 27Structure, funding and mission 29Progress in European policy 33How the technology works 37Technology breakthroughs 49Benefits 61Highlights 7504. Case studies 79Green hydrogen and energy storage 81Domestic fuel cells 87Buses 93Fuel cell electric vehicles Conclusion 97101Credits 102I3

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking I 10th Stakeholder Forum4I

10th Stakeholder Forum I Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint UndertakingINTRODUCTIONIn 2015, the European Union became a signatory to the landmark Paris climate accord ongreenhouse gas emissions mitigation, committing Europe to concrete measures on alleviatingglobal warming. The Paris Agreement was rightly welcomed as a breakthrough in recognisingand addressing the threat posed by climate change.The significance of this should not be underestimated;the European Union, in line with many other signatories,is a modern, industrialised economy that has dependedon fossil fuels for power and energy since the IndustrialRevolution. The Paris Agreement highlights the dramaticand substantial shift to embracing cleaner, greener fuels andenergy technologies. It also signals that the EU is confidentin its ability to prosper in this new energy environment.One of the reasons that the EU can be confident in a cleanenergy future is because it has pursued a long term strategy tostimulate clean fuel technologies. Initially through the EuropeanHydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform, and more recentlywith the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU),the European Union has committed to supporting research,technological development and demonstration activities in fuelcell and hydrogen energy technologies.The technologies are not new; the science behind them iswell understood. But, the widespread availability of cheapfossil fuel meant there was little incentive to develop theirpotential. However, times change and the remarkable workundertaken in the FCH JU is demonstrating the feasibilityand viability of these technologies, and helping to bringthem to the market.Although there have been many EU-funded research successstories over the years, the decision to accelerate the developmentof fuel cell and hydrogen technologies showed remarkableforesight. Conceived when Europe’s energy market wasdominated by conventional, carbon-intensive technologies, theFCH JU’s aims mirror the EU’s ambitions to reduce its energydependency, cut emissions and embrace clean energy sources.This book sets out the story behind both the FCH JU andfuel cell and hydrogen technology in Europe. It reviews theevents leading to its creation and examines the achievementsthat have allowed Europe to take a leading role in fuel celland hydrogen excellence.It will also look at what this investment in fuel cell technologywill mean for the EU in the coming years.I5

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking I 10th Stakeholder ForumROBERT-JAN SMITSEuropean Commission –Director-General forResearch and Innovation6I

10th Stakeholder Forum I Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint UndertakingI am truly impressed by the hundreds of projectsthat have been supported so far, and especiallyby the groundbreaking results coming out of thisinvestment in research and innovation.It is no exaggeration to say that our future prosperity dependson developing new methods of generating and using energy ina more efficient, sustainable and, above all, environmentallyfriendly way. This is an enormous challenge, but one that wemust fully embrace before it becomes too difficult to dealwith the consequences of our reliance on current sourcesof energy. In fact, we need an energy revolution akin to theinvention of the steam engine — but one not dependent onfossil fuels. This will require groundbreaking technologies,which is why research and innovation is at the heart of theEuropean Energy Union.Some of the seeds of this energy revolution have alreadybeen sown. In 2008 the European Commission, workingin partnership with key players from a broad range ofindustrial sectors, launched the Fuel Cells and HydrogenJoint Undertaking (FCH JU). To date the European Unionhas committed more than 1 billion to this public–privatepartnership, and there have been matching contributionsfrom industry. Next year the partnership will celebrate itstenth anniversary, and so now is a good time to take stock ofthe progress that has been made. It is an ambitious initiative,as the pages ahead will reveal.I am truly impressed by the hundreds of projects that have beensupported so far, and especially by the groundbreaking resultscoming out of this investment in research and innovation. Thisjoint undertaking has put Europe at the forefront of technologydevelopment in key areas, such as fuel cell electric buses,hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, and renewable hydrogenproduction. The progress set out in this book clearly demonstratesthat, with sufficient determination — and investment — it ispossible to move towards clean energy solutions that will generatenew jobs and stimulate economic growth.The FCH JU is one of a number of such public–privatepartnerships supported by the European Commission andexemplifies what can be done by working together acrossindustrial sectors and across Europe. It has contributed toovercoming the fragmentation of the European ‘hydrogencommunity’ and is drawing in new players from other sectors.I congratulate the partners in this initiative for demonstratingthat hydrogen-based technologies can offer a viable pathwayfor the European transition towards a sustainable, low carboneconomy, and for bringing us one step closer to realisingJules Verne's 1874 prophecy that hydrogen and oxygen willone day replace coal.I7

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking I 10th Stakeholder ForumThe FCH JU’s innovative publicprivate partnership modeldemonstrates that Europe ispositioned to be a leading playerin the coming hydrogen economy.BENOÎT POTIERChairman and Chief Executive Officerof Air Liquide8I

10th Stakeholder Forum I Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint UndertakingFor economies and energy systems alike, hydrogen energy’sbenefits and potential are increasingly clear. Some of theworld’s leading companies now trust, and are using, hydrogentechnologies. In Europe, the FCH JU has played a major role inpromoting this development. Pursuing a two-pronged strategy,the joint technology initiative helped lay the groundworkfor a future hydrogen economy. Firstly, it has consistentlychannelled its efforts into hydrogen research and innovationin order to improve existing technologies and develop newones. Secondly, it has supported the deployment of the earlyphases of the hydrogen infrastructure, with respect to bothvehicles and recharging stations.The projects carried out through this programme demonstratethe technical and early economic feasibility of the hydrogensolution. Through subsidy programmes, they have alsoenabled key players to start first series production, allowin

PDF: ISBN 978-92-9246-322-9 doi:10.2843/875050 EG-05-17-090-EN-N . FUEL CELL AND HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY: EUROPE'S JOURNEY TO A GREENER WORLD. Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertakingth Stakeholder Forum I 10 2 I. Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertakingth Stakeholder Forum I 10 10th Stakeholder Forum I Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint