Author: marieke

Om May 26 he the European Commission presented  an analysis of the costs, benefits and options for moving beyond the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020 from 20% below 1990 levels to 30% once the conditions are met. At present these conditions have not been met. This communication follows the Commission’s Communication on “How to reinvigorate international climate negotiations” and the Council’s request to present an assessment on the impacts of a conditional move to a 30% emissions cut. The measures taken to support energy-intensive industries against the risk of carbon leakage are also examined as required under the ETS (Emissions Trading System) Directive. The Communication shows that the reduction in EU emissions as a consequence of the economic crisis, together with a drop in carbon prices, has changed the estimations two years ago when the revised ETS was presented. Therefore in light of the new data, an analysis of the implications of the different levels of ambition as a motor for modernising the EU economy and creating new jobs by promoting innovation in low-carbon technologies is provided. This analysis encompasses the efforts required in the main different sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond 20%, up to 30%, looking also at the impacts of these efforts and the potential policy options to achieve them. The current context of constrained public finances and economic contraction is also fully taken into account when assessing possible alternatives.

The EU Competitiveness Council on May 25, 2010 indicated in its conclusions on the EU Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles Strategy that “hydrogen vehicles remain a valid ultra-low-carbon mobility option in the mediumterm perspective, as affordability of the car and of the fuel is achieved; also NOTES that hydrogen vehicles and electric vehicles are mutually complementary”. It also referred to hydrogen vehicles, together with electric batterty vehicles as a highly promising ultra-low-carbonpower-train technologies, as they have the potential, according to the Council,  to:
a. address the challenges of climate change and fossil fuel dependency;
b. cut local air pollution and noise from transport and  contribute to improving the air quality, in particular in cities and urban zones;
c. enable synergies with smart grids and therefore promote renewable sources of energy and offer a possibility of energy storage;
d. offer an opportunity to revitalise the industrial fabric in Europe by fostering innovation,growth and jobs;
e. offer, in particular if combined with electricity generated from safe and sustainable sources of energy, including renewables, a superior well-to-wheel energy efficiency and can therefore contribute significantly to the objective of transport decarbonisation.The Council also stressed the need to focus on research excellence in order to ensure that alternative power-trains receive targeted research financing, including innovative energy storage and conversion technologies, such as batteries, fuel cells and the necessary respective infrastructure.
Last but not least the Council ”calls on the Commission to consult Member States and stakeholders and to rapidly come up with guidelines on potential financial incentives for consumers to buy greenvehicles in order to stimulate the market uptake of clean and energy-efficient vehicles, without giving preference to any particular technology as well as exploring the potential ofpublic procurement and of grouped purchases for large vehicle fleets within the existing legal framework for public procurement. Non-financial incentives, at national or regional level, could also be explored by the relevant actors.”

More info on the Council conclusions can be found here.

WASHINGTON – Ditching its past cautious tone, the nation’s top scientists urged the government Wednesday to take drastic action to raise the cost of using coal and oil to slow global warming.

The US National Academy of Sciences urged the government on May 19  to take drastic action to raise the cost of using coal and oil to slow global warming. More specifically it called for a

On May 18, 2010 the European Union published the implementing Regulation (EC) No 79/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles that includes measures regarding hydrogen propulsion, hydrogen components and hydrogen systems and for the installation of such components and systems.   Regulation (2009/79)   allows car manufacturers  to apply for the EC whole-vehicle type-approval of hydrogen-powered vehicles on a voluntary basis. The regulation also provides for harmonised rules on hydrogen tanks, including for liquid hydrogen, is necessary in order to ensure that hydrogen vehicles can be refuelled throughout the EU in a safe and reliable manner. The implementing regulation can be downloaded here.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler, who was awareded the IPHE Award at the opening day of the WHEC 2010 in Essen,  indicated that the time for hydrogen market introduction have never been better; in the long run only hydrogen is best placed to substitute oil;  battery technology is not able to resolve range issues. The Mercedes FC B-Class will be able to cover 600 km in the near future, mass production of 100.000 fuel cel cars is foreseen for 2015.  The cost of 1 kg for 100 km range is still € 8, but with the German  H2 Mobility Initiative will from 2013 install 1000 public hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany  (today 30 stations, of which 7 public, are operational). The new Mercedes F 800 with a “sandwich” platform that can be used for battery, fuel cel and hydoride models is showing that electric powertrains are entering luxury sedan models.

At the opening ceremony of the World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Essen on May 16 the Japanese minister for Research, responsible for NEDO, the Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation, and Nilgun Parker representing Peter Ramsauer, Minister of Transport, Construction and Urban Development sigend an Memorandum of Understanding on future collaboration  in developing  the hydorgen infrastructure and in mobile and stationary applications. Mr. Ramsauer in his introductory speech on Monday called Essen the World Capital of Hydrogen. Germany has established two programmes for electric transport one for battery and one for fuel cells and hydorgen one with a total budget of € 2  bln for development till 2016 of which 1,4 for fuel cells.  Minister. Gang Wan of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology presented 1000 hydbide, battery and fuel cell vehicles.  Solar paner 1,6 MW and 1000 MW wind power Three mobile hydrogen refuelling stations using gas and coal gas are refeulling the fuel cell cars with 350 and 700 bas compressed hydrogen. Hydrogen and Fuels are included in China’s 2006-2020 National Mid to Long Term  Science and Technology Plan. A National H2 Strategic Plan and Fiscal Investment in foreseen in the near future as well.
At the opening ceremony the Awards of School Student Competition of the International Partnership for Hydroge nand Fuel cells in the Econmy (formerly International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy, IPHE). The Japanes Akita High School won the competiotion for their fuel cell racing cars.  The second price was awareded to the Latvian School fo Foreign Languages. The US Student Design Competition received an award for their winning project on the design for hydrogen refuelling station. The German Jugend Forscht science competition integrated the IPHE school competition and the winning project was a hydrogen sensor project of a Stuttgart school.

The overall goal of European energy policy is to ensure that consumers and enterprises obtain safe, secure, sustainable and low-carbon energy at affordable and competitive prices. The challenges of global energy security and energy geopolitics, slow progress in combating climate change at the global level, the urge to recover on growth and jobs in the EU and the need to invest in tomorrow’s energy networks call for a new Energy Strategy to further deliver on those objectives. Completing the internal energy market, achieving energy savings and promoting low-carbon innovation are the main vectors to reach the objectives of competitiveness, sustainability and security of supply. An open global business climate and a more coherent and effective approach to the EU external energy relations will also help us to reach EU objectives. The new EU Directorate General Energy  has prepared a stock taking document with issues for consideration for further action. Submissions to this consultation are to be sent to [email protected] by 2 July 2010. More info at the DG Energy website

The European Hydrogen Association, EHA, (www.h2euro.org) welcomes the Commission’s Communication on Clean and Energy Efficient Vehciles (COM 2010/186) as an important step forward in policy support for green car technologies. The video’s, shown during Commissioner Tajani’s press conference (April 28, 2010)  of hydrogen cars,  filling up at public hydrogen refuelling stations in Berlin and driving through the center of Brussels, demonstrate that the European hydrogen and fuel cell sector, has achieved major technological breakthroughs over the last years to introduce hydrogen as the other energy carrier, next to electricity, to accelerate EU’s decarbonisation objectives for transport. Many European companies, including SME’s, are market  leader in developing fuel cell and hydrogen applications and components as demonstrated at last week’s Hanover Fair,  where the EHA joined over 140 companies gathered in the 16^th H2 anf FC Group Exhibit .  
The EHA especially welcomes the Commission’s intention “to provide a leading role in working with Member States at national and regional level on the build-up of charging and refuelling infrastructure in the EU”.
As indicated in its position paper on this strategy (for download at www.h2euro.org ), the EHA is fully committed to contribute actively to the assessment to be made “whether synergies exist between capacity build up for electric and hydrogen vehicles and their connection to low-carbon electricity sources” as mentioned in the Action list of the Communciation. For more information on the strategy visit the Commission’s website.  The EHA press release on the strategy you find above.

The Commission’s Green Paper on the future development of the Trans-European Transport Network, published in February 2009, launched a review of the TEN-T policy.  Based on the work of six expert groups dealing with specific issues of TEN-T planning and implementation, the Commission elaborated a proposal for a new methodology for TEN-T planning. Working Group 3 on Intelligent Transport Systems and New Technologies suggested that alternative fuelling solutions (including related networks) by providing parallel options in order to maximise decarbonisation (CNG (compresse d natural gas), LNG (liquefied natural gas), LPG, hydrogen, fast charge, battery exchange stations etc.) should be included in TEN-T road projects as a condition for eligibility.
 The Commission Working Document “Consultation on the future trans-European transport network policy”, which includes as main elements a  planning methodology and some ideas on how to enhance the effectiveness of instruments for TEN-T implementation, invites stakeholders to express their views and constitutes the second important milestone of the TEN-T policy review process.  All Member States; regional and local authorities; infrastructure managing companies in the different transport sectors; transport service providers / operators in the different transport sectors; research institutes; financial institutions; non-governmental organisations; business associations; as well as citizens are welcome to contribute to this consultation. The consultation closes on September 15 for more information consult the TEN T website.

With the increase in the use of renewable energy sources, the need for effective storage becomes greater. The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change recently awarded over £7 million to eight different firms to be spent on the creation of so-called smart technologies, including storage solutions.
Pump storage systems, like the one installed at Dinorwig power station in Wales, is one option which is already used when there is significant demand on the national grid. The pump storage system allows the generators at the plant to reach their maximum capacity in less than 16 seconds.  However, as the system works by transferring the water between two lakes situated at different elevations, the usage of pump storage is hugely dependent on an area’s geography. Hydrogen represents another opportunity. The  US Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) has recently provided even more funding, with $106 million (£68 million) going to 37 different projects, including some companies which are developing new types of batteries and  hybrid storage systems consisting of battery and a fuel cells. The last JTI call included funding for  storage and the renewable energy chapter of the next FP7 offers funding opportunites as well.  

BMW’s Forschung und Technik GmbH celebrates its silver anniversary and revealed the fuel cell hybrid 1 series concept. BMW has been working on hydrogen-fueled vehicles since at least the mid-1990s, mostly focussing on the use of liquid hydrogen in  internal combustionengines  rather than fuel cell electric vehicles.  This new concept is a through-the-road hybrid that uses both a small gasoline engine and a small five-kilowatt fuel cell  powering super capacitors driving the 82 kW electro motor.  An inline-four gasoline engine is transversely mounted and drives the front wheels. The UTC  fuel cell, which is developed from one that BMW has been testing mainly as an auxiliary power unit to generate the electricity needed for the car, is mounted behind the engine. This fuel cell is used to charge the super-caps, which also store energy from regenerative braking.
The electric drive can be used on its own for low-speed urban driving or combined with the engine for on-demand all-wheel drive and acceleration. At highway speeds, the engine provides primary drive. We don’t know if this concept drivetrain will go anywhere or if BMW will persist with the super-caps or switch to lithium ion batteries. BMW hasn’t revealed any details about electric driving range or performance.

Air Products’ President and Chief Executive Officer John McGlade is driving to work in a Fuel Cell Equinox. As the top executive for Air Products, the world’s leading hydrogen provider, McGlade is quite familiar with hydrogen’s potential for leading the transformation to cleaner energy. Mr. McGlade on April 14 initiated a hydrogen outreach program by traveling to work in an Air Products-branded Chevrolet fuel cell vehicle. More information on the campaign at the Air Products website.

Across from the EHA stand at the 16th H2 and FC Group Exhibit the ZSW of Ulm is demonstrating its Airport Scooter to pull luggage lorries through airports. Although not much of that is happening these days, ZSW  is looking at deploying these vehicles in all locations where indoor material handling requires zero emissions and extended ranges. DLR is demonstrating its paraglider equipped with a fuel cell that completed succesful test fligths.  These applications are just two of the many that are featureed in a new special demonstration area at the fair.  Despite the cancellation of oversees exhibitors due to flight restrictions as a result of the vulcano eruption in Iceland, this years’s 16th edition of the H2 and FC Group Exhibit at the Hannover Fair attracted many new exhibitors and  looks bigger, feels better and  is positioned now in the same hall as renewable energy systems and electro mobility solutions. The EHA stand features the new EHA strategy paper “Energy Infrastructure 21″ on the energy efficient use of primary energy sources in electric transport and the role of hydrogen and a presentation of historic moments in the EHA 10 year’s of promoting hydrogen in Europe. See the latest news of the fair, that takes place from April 19 -26, here.

At a seminar at the EU Parliament on April 15, organised by Spanish MEP Teresa Riera Madurell, the Spanish Secretary General for Industry, Teresa Santero, presented her government’s strong support for the development of the electric car.  Although indicating that hydrogen technology will be supported in the future,  the need for fast action on the market development of clean vehicles will require immediate  financial and regulatory support at all levels of the first commercial battery vehicles according to Ms. Santero. The EU Commission representative Philippe Jean, Director of the Automotive Unit of the Directorate for Enterprise and Industry, replied that indeed electric vehicles will come, both battery eletric cars as well as  fuel cell vehicles, and that it will be important to identify how and when this will happen. Mr. Jean mentioned that the EU is  facilitating standardisation and supports the development of electricity storage technology.  He also indicated that Commissioner Tajani will inform the EU Parliament about the new  strategy already the end of April and the EU Competiitiveness Council of May 25 will discuss the strategy. A representative of the European Transmission System operators ENTSOE  pointed to the need for controlled recharging of battery vehicles and the investments required to reinforce the grid to allow large numbers to plug in to electricity net. The EHA has submitted a postion paper to the Commission emphasizing the need for coordinated infrastructure development for battery and fuel cell hydrogen vehicles.

The EU Commission  annoucned its plan to present the eU Energy Action Plan for 2010- 2014 this May as a follow-up to the 2007-2009 the approved  common European 20-20-20 energy policy and energy market policy in 2007 that resulted in the adoption of the energy and climate package. The Spanish eU presidency has presented a report on the prioritites for the Action Plan  taking the EU’s Second Strategic Energy Review as the basis.  While the 2007-2009 plan concentrated on sustainability and the internal market, the new roadmap would focus on security of supply issues and technology development, including a revision of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The new energy Commissioner, Guenther Oettinger, said he would present proposals at the beginning of next year. The Commission is also considering  a new infrastructure package in November, which would seek to address the integration of renewable energies into the grid and the development of smart grids.

According to Commissioner Oettinger, Europe will need to replace half of its power generation capacity by 2030 and according to a draft of the Ten Year Network Development Plan of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E),  up  to 28 billion euros in investments in electricity infrastructure over the next five years to secure its key energy goals, including integrating renewable energies into the grid. More info on the DG Energy website

Spring seems to have arrived in Brussels, especially with regards to new actions on cleaning transport in the EU. Several recent proposals of the EU Spanish presidency, the new Commission and EU Parliament call to speed up support for co-called Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles. The EHA took action and submitted a position paper as contribution to the consultation of the EU Enterprise and Industry Directorate on an EU Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles strategy, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, energy efficient electric transport infrastructure build-up for electric battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. In addition we co-organized, together with HyRaMP and the West Midlands in Europe office and with the support of ERTRAC and the FCH JU, a very successful policy event on this topic on March 23, during the EU Sustainable Energy Week. The new EHA/DWV Strategy Paper was presented at this event to the director of Automotive in the Commission, Philippe Jean, who is responsible for the new strategy. The paper outlines the role of hydrogen as an energy carrier in the new global energy system, pointing to the need of the efficient use of primary energy sources in electric transport infrastructure planning. The paper can be downloaded here.

Some € 56 million will be made available, supporting up to 75% of the eligible project costs.The programme will be funding capacity building; building and spreading of know-how, skills and methods; exchanges of experience; development of market and intelligence; policy input; awareness raising and information provision; and education and training. Any public or private organisation from the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Croatia can apply. Deadline for submission is 24^th June, 17:00 local Brussels’ time. More information onm the call can find here.

The EHA presented its views on the need for a coordinated and accelerated approach to electric transport infrastructure build-up for both battery and fuel cell eletric vehicles at the Commission’s Hearing on the new EU Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles Strategy on March 11. The EHA in addition submitted a contribution to the EU consultation on this topic referring to the importance of sustainable electric transport infrastructure build-up to accelerate the roll-out of battery and fuel cell electric development and the efficient use of primary energy sources, both fossil and renewable, in transport. The EHA postion paper can be downloaded below. The Toyota FCHV-adv its newest FC model was presented ath EHA seminar on March 23 in Brussels. Two Toyota FCHV – adv are currently cruising the centre of Berlin.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)  adopted the first international regulation on safety of both fully electric and hybrid cars.  The regulation adopted  ensures that cars with a high voltage electric power train, such as hybrid and fully electric vehicles, are as safe as conventional cars.

Typically, electric vehicles operate at very high voltages, in the range of 500 Volts. Therefore it is essential to require protection against the risk of electric shocks. The revised UNECE Regulation 100 will ensure the safety of electric cars by setting out how users of cars shall be protected from the high voltage parts of cars. For example, it prescribes a test procedure that uses a standardised ‘test finger’ to check protection all over the car. The rules ensure that users do not accidentally come into contact with high voltage cables. The Regulation also defines requirements on the practical use of electric cars, such as giving an indication to the driver that the electric engine is switched on, which otherwise cannot be heard and could therefore cause unwanted starting of the vehicle. It will also require safeguards to prevent electric vehicles from moving when being recharged.

The Regulation was agreed within an international framework (the 1958 UNECE agreement), so that car manufacturers will be able to sell their vehicles on the basis of common standards not only in the EU, but in a number of other important automotive markets, such as South Korea, Japan and Russia. Mutual recognition of approvals between contracting parties of the 1958 agreement will be possible as soon as the Regulation is applied. This will simplify the marketing of advanced electric cars and reduce costs significantly. The EU and Japan have already indicated that they intend to incorporate the new UNECE Regulation in their respective rules on technical standards for vehicles.

Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: “The number of private cars in use is set to increase exponentially over the coming years. We need to respond to this by encouraging the production and use of clean and energy efficient cars, which will be the vehicles of the future. The electric car is one green car choice available to consumers. I am keen to ensure that they are introduced on the market as soon as possible and that they are safe to use.”

Commissioner Connie Hedegaard of Climate Action presented the new EU strategy to the EU Parliament on March 9 indicating that international negotiations must ensure that  the future global agreement will have a high level of environmental integrity and will actually keep warming below 2°C. The EU sees the Kyoto Protocol as the central building block of the UN process but the limited number of countries it covers, and its serious weaknesses, must be addressed. If allowed to continue these weaknesses, which concern accounting rules for forestry emissions and the handling of surplus national emission rights from the 2008-2012 period, would risk reducing industrialised countries’ current emission reduction pledges to almost zero. The Commission believes the EU must show leadership by taking tangible action to become the most climate friendly region of the world as part of the Europe 2020 strategy proposed on 3 March.  The EU has committed to a 20% emissions cut below 1990 levels by 2020, and to scaling up this reduction to 30% if other major economies agree to do their fair share of the global effort. Ahead of the June European Council, the Commission will prepare an analysis of what practical policies would be required to implement the 30% emission reduction.  The Commission will later  outline a pathway for the EU’s transition to becoming a low-carbon economy by 2050.  Consistent with the EU 2020 strategy, the goal is to come with intelligent solutions that benefit not only climate change, but also energy security and job creation. Swift implementation of the EU’s commitment to provide €2.4 billion in ‘fast start’ financial assistance to developing countries annually in 2010-2012 is essential both to the EU’s credibility and to enhancing recipient countries’ capacities to address climate change. The Communication underlines that the EU should continue to work to advance the development of the international carbon market, which is essential for driving low-carbon investments and reducing global emissions cost-effectively. The carbon market can also generate major financial flows to developing countries. The EHA therefore has scheduled a meeting in March with the new DG Climate Action officials to discuss how hydrogen and fuel cell deployment projects in developing countriescould be best integrated in these investment programmes.

Advancing carbon markets