Dear Friends,

It was a real pleasure to meet some of you at our General Assembly in Madrid. I’m thankful for the excellent hospitality we received from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). The General Assembly was the first for me as a President, and I took this chance to present the new internal programme of Hydrogen Europe Research.

Our mission is to give concrete support to four main pillars, related to next-generation technologies, research and technology infrastructures, sustainable development of the sector, and education and training. I’ve launched two new working groups, agreed with all our Board members, to support each of our four pillars. We are now representing the largest research hydrogen association in Europe, and we aim at further growth. I see it important to drive this growth both inside and outside of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, looking to strengthen our collaboration with Hydrogen Europe and to extend it with other EC programmes, other partnerships, and other organizations.

To do so, we must elaborate concrete messages and agree on common priorities. We have now four working groups that will help us confront each other on priorities for research at the lowest TRL levels, on the role of infrastructures and new forms of collaboration between the public and the private sectors; the two working groups on skills and policies will continue to run.

It is the ideal time to build these new working groups and work together while looking at the short-term update of the SRIA and the subsequent development of the new Framework Program Europe and the role of research and innovation for the sector of hydrogen. It is essential that the support continues, it is essential to maintain the scientific excellence of the research sector and the competitiveness of the industrial sector at a global level, before development dynamics compromise the presence of our companies in global markets.

My perspective is to increase the structural synergies among programmes, but at the same time strengthen the collaboration inside the Partnership, which I see as the ideal way to collaborate between research and industrial players, given the results achieved over the years.

We need to evolve at the same time, and inside this evolution, I see it important for Hydrogen Europe Research to direct two specific actions. On one side, put attention on the role of the researcher, which works more with a push approach, involved in discovering and developing new materials, phenomena and processes. On the other end, shed light on the role of the innovator, involved in supporting the industrial sector and other key stakeholders of the hydrogen ecosystem with a pull approach, trying to help solve problems. Even if there are sometimes some overlaps, these are indeed two very different roles, that should be supported by different competencies and different approaches.

My wish is that we can be more and more effective through our actions, find new ways of collaborating, involving co-design and co-development of the technologies, joint labs, and open innovation test beds, where researchers, innovators, engineers and developers from the industrial sector as well as from the academies and research centres, can work with common objectives in the same locations, from the idea to the certification of the technologies.

I look forward to getting your ideas and support to move this forward!

HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Hydrogen Europe Research discussion dinner with Spanish Stakeholders – 6 June 2023

On 6 June, we held a discussion dinner on Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Technologies with Spanish stakeholders, to raise awareness of clean energy alternatives such as hydrogen, and discuss financial and political barriers to their implementation in Europe.

The meeting was attended by members from different Ministries and agencies, and representatives from some of the main Spanish industries. The participants also included representatives from organizations such as the Spanish Hydrogen Association, the Center for the Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), the Hydrogen Technology platform IEA Hydrogen TCP, and from the Aragon Region.

The event was the perfect opportunity for Hydrogen Europe Research to present hydrogen as the new player at the service of the environment and economy, and showcase European research activities in hydrogen technologies. We would be pleased to support public and private Spanish stakeholders to accelerate progress in hydrogen technologies in their country!

Hydrogen Europe Research General Assembly – 7 June 2023, Madrid, Spain

On 7 June, we held our General Assembly in Madrid, Spain, hosted by the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM). The meeting took place in a hybrid format, both online and in-person, and saw the participation of more than 123 organisations from 29 countries across Europe. During the General Assembly, Hydrogen Europe Research provided a Board’s activities update, welcomed 23 new members, promoted its communications, policy and skills activities and presented news from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

The new working groups will create a driving force for all four pillars of Hydrogen Europe Research’s mission, will help identify priorities for research and innovation, and will create opportunities for engagement for all HER members. An informative webinar on this new initiative is foreseen to take place in September.

GreenSkillsforH2 General Assembly – 14-15 June 2023, Turin, Italy

The partners of the Green Skills for Hydrogen project met for their General Assembly at the Politecnico di Torino on 14-15 June to advance the design of a new Hydrogen VET curriculum for Europe and the creation of the European Hydrogen Skills Community.​

The GreenSkillsForH2 Project is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Europe's clean energy landscape. This vibrant community will serve as a platform for networking, collaboration, and continued learning, propelling us toward a greener, more sustainable future.

Click here to learn more about the project!

Young Scientist Award 2023 – competition launched!

Then participate in our Young Scientist Award competition!

The Young Scientist Award is an annual competition organised by Hydrogen Europe Research, aiming at rewarding young researchers (under 35 years old of age) belonging to our member organisations, who have personally contributed to one or more hydrogen-related projects. Same as last year, the 2023 competition will revolve around four pillars, reflecting the structure of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. One young scientist will be awarded in each pillar, and one will be elected “Best Researcher of the Year”, for a total of 5 awards.

The research undertaken may cover fundamentals, applications and analysis within these different categories:
➡️Hydrogen production;
➡️Hydrogen storage and distribution;
➡️Hydrogen usages;
➡️Cross-cutting activities (such as safety, regulations codes and standards or education).

The four winners will receive €1000 Eur each, a trophy and a recognition certificate. The Best Researcher of the Year will receive €1000 Eur, a trophy and a recognition certificate.

The Deadline to apply is 29 September 2023! Click here to discover how to apply.

Hydrogen Europe Research’s participation in the Hydrogen Week

The European Hydrogen Week will take place from 20 to 24 November 2023! The week is one of the biggest annual events dedicated to hydrogen, and Hydrogen Europe Research actively supported the drafting of the program. During the 5 days, thought-provoking discussions with some of the most prominent stakeholders in the hydrogen sector will take place, covering the most pressing topics facing this new industry: the need for both urgency and pragmatism in creating the regulatory framework, the unique challenges different sectors face to decarbonize and how hydrogen can help, and how to remain a leader in an industry that has caught the attention of the rest of the world.

Two main content streams are awaiting you: the High-Level Policy Conference centres around the global, European, and national hydrogen developments and will have high-level policymakers, C-level industry representatives, and experts across the entire hydrogen value chain on stage.

Set in the centre of the expo area, the B2B Forum will be open to all the visitors of the expo. By attending, participants will be able to find new source of inspiration, discover new knowledge and experience peer to peer exchanges.

Register for the event here!

Next to the different conference streams, an exhibition will also take place. Based on the success of the past editions, this year the expo floor is expanded into two halls for a total of over 8000 sqm, ready to welcome more than 6000 attendees. 

If you are a Hydrogen Europe Research member, and you are interested in having a stand in our Pavilion, do not hesitate to contact Simona at s.vitali@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu! There are still a few spots left

CLEAN HYDROGEN PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

Evaluations are well underway – results are expected to be communicated by the Programme Office of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership to all consortia soon, during the Summer.

Hydrogen Europe Research and Hydrogen Europe members are currently elaborating the next Annual Work Plan for the year 2024 – thank you to all involved!

Should you wish to follow the events organised by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership or receive information on the different milestones achieved, check out the website!

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ROADMAPS

Hydrogen Europe Research and Hydrogen Europe have kicked-off the update of our Research and Innovation Roadmaps. This process will last until the end of the year – if you are a Hydrogen Europe Research member and are interested in participating, you can reach out to our Innovation Manager, Louis Mazurkiewicz – l.mazurkiewicz@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu

These 22 Roadmaps coordinated by Hydrogen Europe Research and Hydrogen Europe cover the whole hydrogen value chain (from production to various industrial and mobility end-uses, passing by storage, transport and distribution of hydrogen). They provide a forum for members to discuss the research and innovation activities that should be covered annually and are constituted of experts in their respective fields.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

WELCOME TO HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEW MEMBERS!

CETIM - French Technical Center For Mechanical Industries

Internationally recognized, its experts participate in major industrial challenges of today and tomorrow. Cetim is a reference in the world of innovation for an industrial future attentive to the planet. Thanks to 50 years of experience, the centre provides comprehensive multidisciplinary competencies to succeed your projets through global and dedicated support combining technological engineering and consulting, project engineering and financial engineering.

MEMBERS' VACANCIES

The University of Souther Denmark is hiring a Post Doc. within sustainable PEM based energy conversion system component development!

The position is scheduled for two years with the possibility of extension of another year. The activity is supported by a large national project granted by Innovation Fund Denmark.

The targeted starting date for the position is 1 August 2023 or sooner. Discover how to apply here!

DON'T MISS THE NEXT EVENTS!

Joint European Summer School on Fuel Cell, Electrolyser, and Battery Technologies

The Joint European Summer School JESS 2023 will be held near the beautiful city of Athens on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Once again, the summer school will provide condensed high-level courses on selected topics. The topical content is tailored to the needs of a diverse audience: newcomers to the field of hydrogen, experienced students, and young professionals working at the forefront of fuel cell, electrolyser, and battery applications.

Pass on this information to PhD students and colleagues who might want to participate in this training!

Registrations and more information can be found here.

16th International Conference on Catalysis in Membrane Reactors (ICCMR16)

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the International Organizing Committee (IOC) have the pleasure to invite you to participate in the 16th International Conference on Catalysis in Membrane Reactors (ICCMR16) which will be held from October 16 – 18, 2023 in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.

The ICCMR16 will be organized by the TECNALIA, member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (Spain).

The conference series started in 1994, in Villeurbanne-Lyon (France) with the 1st International Workshop on Catalytic Membranes. Click here to learn more about the programme and to register!

7th International Conference on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells & Electrolysis. Materials, Systems & Applications (CARISMA2023)

The 7th International Conference on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells & Electrolysis. Materials, Systems & Applications (CARISMA2023) will be held on October 1-5, 2023 in Lefkada, Greece.

This series of conferences was initiated in 2008 and is dedicated to all aspects related to Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Hydrogen Technologies. The CARISMA conference series is dedicated to the challenges in the development of materials, membrane-electrode-assemblies, components and systems for low and high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolysis.

The purpose of the conference is to present important issues and recent results, but also to discuss the solutions sought internationally regarding materials development, operation and process optimization, material and device degradation, review of important issues and market perspectives of technologies.

More information about the event and registrations are available here.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!