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The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) is the trade association for the fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry, and is dedicated to the commercialization of fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies. Fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies deliver clean, reliable power to leading edge corporate, academic and public sector users, and FCHEA members are helping to transform our energy future. FCHEA represents the full global supply chain, including universities, government laboratories and agencies, trade associations, fuel cell materials, components and systems manufacturers, hydrogen producers and fuel distributors, utilities and other end users.

International Government Hydrogen Updates: Europe

Transitions

International Government Hydrogen Updates: Europe

Connor Dolan

By Nova Thayer

When it comes to support for the hydrogen industry, Europe is a leader with dedicated government programs for various hydrogen projects and goals. While FCHEA covered Europe’s hydrogen plans in early 2021, much has happened since then. Today we’re going to be looking at Europe and how the different countries in the region are committing to develop and foster a hydrogen economy.

European Union

The European Union (EU) has been heavily focused on hydrogen as part of a broad multinational strategy to decarbonize European society. The EU passed the European Green Deal into law in early 2020 and has been steadily approving legislation to decarbonize the continent by 2050. This includes the introduction of the Fit for 55 package, in July 2021, which sets a legally binding target of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and the rebranded Clean Hydrogen Partnership (CHP), which seeks to raise €2 billion (~ $2.1 billion) in funding for hydrogen projects and bring the cost of hydrogen down below €1.8 (~ $1.9) per kilogram by 2030. The CHP represents a significant investment in the hydrogen space, with over 280 pilot projects partially or fully funded by the organization, and financing for 41 research topics related to hydrogen. As the Fit for 55 package gets finalized, it is likely that the EU will continue to press forward on hydrogen related projects, as hydrogen is an essential part of its decarbonization strategy.

Germany

It is not just the EU focusing on hydrogen, as many European countries continue to support projects, seeking to produce national hydrogen hubs. Germany in particular is especially interested in developing its hydrogen economy to become a leader in green hydrogen technologies. Germany has committed at least €9 billion (~$9.4 billion) to hydrogen production, after releasing its National Hydrogen Strategy in 2020.

The country recently released a report on the progress of the hydrogen economy, outlining the specific steps the government has taken in recent years. This includes measures such as financing over 60 German hydrogen projects and reducing the production cost of clean hydrogen via tax exemptions. The most important program is Carbon Contacts for Difference, which will kickstart decarbonizing the German industry when it is expected to pass in late 2022. The program will subsidize hydrogen production to the point of making it financially viable when compared to the cost of natural gas or oil. Finally, the country aims to create a large hydrogen network, capable of importing and exporting hydrogen as necessary to supply Europe.

Below are some of the flagship programs that are supported by the German government to fulfill these hydrogen ambitions.

  • The H2 Mare project will finance research into efficient ways to produce hydrogen offshore via wind turbines.

  • The Trans HyDE project will finance the development, evaluation, and demonstration of hydrogen transport technologies.

An example of where hydrogen infrastructure, industry, and transportation will go. (Source: Germany Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy)

France

France has also identified hydrogen as essential to its decarbonization plans. With its previous investments of approximately €7 billion (~$7.3 billion) in late 2020, projects, pilot programs, and hydrogen valleys have begun to spring up across France. This includes the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the Brittany region, the Centre-Val-de-Lorie region, and the Corsica region.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has been working to develop a “Zero Emission Valley” by building a fleet of 1000 fuel cell vehicles, 20 hydrogen refueling stations and 15 electrolyzers to start. Brittany’s government has released a roadmap for hydrogen development up until 2030, which in addition to developing the local hydrogen ecosystems also seeks to create a pooled investment plan. Finally, Centre-Val-de-Lorie and Corsica are working on pilot programs to advance the use of hydrogen in power applications through renewable energy electrolyzers, and a project to convert hydrogen into gas for heating.

Switzerland

Switzerland has been financing a hydrogen economy also, and projects continue to be planned and completed. In addition to the Swiss Hydrogen Roadmap, the public and private sector have worked together to create a hydrogen corridor across the region. This program includes clean hydrogen generation, refueling stations, and hydrogen vehicles. The comprehensive nature of this program makes it the perfect testing ground for hydrogen vehicles and it shows how they preform over long periods of time in mountainous terrain.

Netherlands

The Netherlands released a Government Strategy on Hydrogen in late 2020 that called for a hydrogen-based economy. While originally €35 million (~$36 million) was provided for the program, recently the governing coalition has announced a significant increase in funding for the production of clean hydrogen. This includes €15 billion (~$15.7 billion) allocated for “advanced renewable energy carriers” which supports the government’s goal of 3-4 GW of hydrogen production by 2030. The country has also begun to reach out to other countries to produce and sell hydrogen, such as Uruguay. With €1.4 billion (approx. ~$1.5 billion) in subsidies available per planned GW of hydrogen production, it’s clear that hydrogen is now taking the center stage there.

Belgium

Belgium recently released the Federal Hydrogen Vision and Strategy, which seeks to use hydrogen to quickly decarbonize the economy. Interestingly, the plan claims that it will be most cost efficient to import hydrogen and envisions the country as a renewable import-export hub that could support the rest of Europe.

To do so, the government is working to establish supply chains with international partners now, such as Chile. The government is also working to establish a robust hydrogen market and research sector in Belgium, including at least 150 MW of clean hydrogen production by 2026. An example of this effort is a partnership between ENGIE and Equinor, two energy companies that will work together to produce low carbon hydrogen in Belgium via the H2BE project. To establish the strategic infrastructure necessary to import and export hydrogen, first the actual production and demand of hydrogen must be introduced in the country.

 

Europe continues to be a leader when it comes to governmental support for hydrogen, and the understanding that hydrogen will be essential to decarbonizing our society. As more and more European countries finance projects, and as more hydrogen projects are completed it’s clear that the industry has a bright future across the continent.