Dear Friends,

It is a pleasure to announce some of the most important events we are preparing in 2024, first of all, the upcoming General Assembly in Budapest. I look forward to seeing many of you in person, to discuss some actions that will be highly relevant for our Association. In Budapest, our Board Members will also host a dinner with national authorities and representatives of the industrial and research value chain, to discuss the different perspectives to develop the hydrogen sector in Hungary. As usual, we organise these meetings every year in the member state which will next hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In parallel, we are preparing for the Hydrogen Week 2024. We can't wait to welcome our members to the HER pavilion. Our Secretariat is preparing some nice settlements for the individual stands.

I am delighted to promote an initiative I really want to see realised, “Hydrogen Frontiers: the Future of the EU Landscape”. It started as a joke between me and Simona at HER premises to take some nice photos for the office from our members, and we came up with the idea to narrate some of the stories we live in our labs and communities, with our teachers, experts and partners, in small prototypes as well as in large demos. I hope we will receive nice stories and photos, and emotional narratives that show the heart of the research and innovation of our hydrogen community!

The best stories will be published in a book which will be printed and made available at the next Hydrogen Week in Brussels.

Together with this, and thanks to our Secretariat, we are bringing together other two important figures representing HER: you as members, and what we are looking for in the hydrogen sector in the coming future. Following the work done in the dedicated Working Group, we are publishing the map of the European Research and Technology Infrastructures that will become an important reference for what is already available and what is missing in Europe.

A second cornerstone is the update of the Hydrogen Europe Research Position Paper, collecting the priorities from our Working Group on Low TRL Research. A relevant picture of the current state of play has been collected, and we are preparing a second publication that will be presented again at the upcoming Hydrogen Week, inside the Innovation Hub initiatives proposed by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. 

So, plenty of news that I hope can meet the satisfaction of our members!

I now invite you to read our newsletter with a lot of events that are making 2024 an exciting year for hydrogen!

HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Hydrogen Europe Research’s Members Pavilion at the European Hydrogen Week 2024

We are excited to announce that we will exhibit again in Brussels at the European Hydrogen Week on 18-22 November 2024!

Building from last year's success, the week is one of the biggest annual events dedicated to hydrogen with a series of great activities all around the most abundant element in the universe. 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.

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 8000 attendees.  

Like last year, Hydrogen Europe Research members are welcome to participate in our Pavilion!

Joining our pavilion offers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase your projects to a diverse and engaged audience. With a platform designed to amplify innovation, our pavilion provides a dynamic environment where your ideas can shine, and your research activities take centre stage.

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

Secure your spot before it is too late! We are looking forward to your participation!

Hydrogen Europe Research Contest

Hydrogen Frontiers: The Future EU Landscape

"Hydrogen Frontiers" is a unique contest designed to showcase the innovative research activities and advancements in the field of hydrogen carried out by Hydrogen Europe Research members. This contest invites members from Europe to submit their testimonials along with high-quality photographs capturing their work in hydrogen-related research.

The contest will be structured into 4 categories: sustainability; value; future; skills. At least four testimonials will be chosen and printed in a publication which will be distributed during the Hydrogen Week in Brussels (November 18-22, 2024) and other important hydrogen-related events.

Hydrogen Europe Research members are invited to submit a testimonial describing their research activities, innovations, and achievements in the field of hydrogen to s.vitali@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu before 17 June 2024!

HER General Assembly in Budapest – 13 June 2024

All Hydrogen Europe Research members are invited to join us in Budapest for our next General Assembly on 13 June 2024! The meeting will be held in a hybrid format, both online and in person, and will offer our members the chance to get to know each other, network, and exchange information useful to the hydrogen community. This General Assembly will be particularly significant, as it includes the election of a new Executive Board.

Within the framework of the General Assembly, we will also organise a discussion dinner on Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Technologies with Hungarian stakeholders. The aim will be to raise awareness of clean energy alternatives like hydrogen and to discuss the financial and political barriers to their implementation in Europe. The event will provide an ideal platform for Hydrogen Europe Research to highlight hydrogen as a vital contributor to both environmental sustainability and economic growth while showcasing European research efforts in hydrogen technologies.

European Hydrogen Observatory - Advertise your hydrogen training offers!

If you are interested in sharing and/or updating your training offers in the field of hydrogen on the Observatory’s website, have a look!

The European Hydrogen Observatory is the leading source of data on hydrogen and go-to platform for accurate, up-to-date information. If you are interested in being displayed in this European data hub and advertise your hydrogen offers on Bachelor or Master programmes, Professional training, Summer/Winter School or VET programme, then provide your input or update directly here.

Why contribute?

• Promote your training offer to students, workers and companies all over Europe;
• Gain additional visibility;
• Contribute to the creation of a consistent repository of information on training in the FCH sector that will help identify potential gaps.

CLEAN HYDROGEN PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

Following the approval of the results by the Governing Board of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, successful consortia will be contacted to enter the Grant Agreement Preparation phase. More information in the breakdown per topic can be found here.

In parallel, the first step of the process surrounding the next Annual Work Plan (AWP25) has internally ended. Members from Hydrogen Europe Research and Hydrogen Europe developed a set of Research and Innovation topics, in line with the identified annual priorities. Following an iterative collaboration with the European Commission and Programme Office of the Clean Hydrogen Partnerships, these topics should be finalised by the end of the year ahead of the publication of the 2025 Call for Proposals in January. Should you wish to get involved in the process, please get in touch with our Innovation Manager, Louis Mazurkiewicz (l.mazurkiewicz@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu).

In other news, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership is co-organising, with the European Commission, the Hydrogen Valleys Days on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 June. The event will take place at the Hotel in Brussels, and builds on the successful work of the Clean Hydrogen JU with European regions and cities, including project development assistance and funding of 15 hydrogen valleys across Europe. This groundwork sets the stage for the launch of an EU roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys and related facility.

The agenda features discussions with policymakers including local authorities as well as project developers, investors and industry suppliers looking at shaping up such local hydrogen ecosystems and thus implementing the strategic REPowerEU’s objective of doubling the number of Hydrogen Valleys in the European Union by 2025.

The event will take place in person only and will be conducted in English. No live streaming is foreseen.

You can register and learn more here.

NEWS FROM EUROPE

DAAD - Green Hydrogen - Research Tour 2024 - Call for applications

DAAD is once again inviting advanced PhDs and Postdocs outside Germany who are actively researching green hydrogen-related topics to participate in the DAAD - Green Hydrogen - Research Tour - 2024: “Green Hydrogen Research and Technology in Germany’”

The DAAD - Green Hydrogen - Research Tour will include dialogues with researchers and practitioners from universities, non-university research institutions and companies who are actively researching and implementing projects along the entire green hydrogen value chain. Participants will be able to gain an insight into various research projects and technologies that are being developed and applied in Germany and abroad. In addition, participants will be able to network with other scientists who are interested in the same topics, and become part of the DAAD's Green Hydrogen Working Groups and profit from their benefits and activities. The Research Tour will take place from 15-20 September, visiting six cities in Germany and 10 different institutions.

From 2024 onwards, the DAAD ERA Fellowship - Green Hydrogen programme has been extended to include new participating countries and to facilitate the mobility of Master's students, doctoral students and postdocs studying and researching in the different areas of green hydrogen. As it is not easy to identify young researchers working in the field of green hydrogen, they have looked for experts in this field. The application form to participate can be found here.

MEMBERS NEWS

Announcement of the
ECO-SPHERE Programme Cofunded by MSCA and TUBITAK

The ECO-SPHERE Programme is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND Action hosted by two prestigious universities in Turkiye, providing multidimensional academic experience and excellent facilities and technologies/ Yildiz Technical University (YTU), founded in 1911 and located in the heart of Istanbul, and Dokuz Eylul University (DEU), founded in 1982 and located in Izmir.

Over five years with two calls for proposals, ECO-SPHERE will offer 24 fellowships of 24 months each, in the field of environmental sciences. It will be open to ambitious postdoctoral applicants worldwide who are highly engaged in research and environmental sciences starting April 2024. 

ECO-SPHERE aims to advance knowledge and innovation in the circular economy in particular, and support the next generation of researchers and help boost their careers within the scope of the environment. 

Admitted fellows will be exposed to rich connections, whether from their peers, host institutions, or the program’s different activities. These connections, along with the numerous academic and social events throughout their stay, and strong support of their research and encouragement of innovative initiatives, all together will help them gain priceless experiences that will remain with them for long after the program is over. 

The outcomes of the fostered studies will promote collaboration in various regions and industries to accelerate environmental awareness and policies, and lead to better lifestyles and communities.

The details of the programme can be found here.

DON'T MISS THE NEXT EVENTS!

ELVHYS Project: Workshop No. 3 on modelling and development fuelling procedures - 7 June 2024, online.

The workshop will give insights into enhancing the safety of liquid and vaporised hydrogen transfer technologies in public areas for mobile applications.  Speakers from the ELVHYS consortium and stakeholders advisory board as well as external experts will present a throughout overview on progress in modelling and development of fuelling/bunkering procedures.

You can register here!

The High-Level Dialogue on a forward-looking Research and Innovation agenda for Climate Neutrality by 2050, 12 June 2024, online

The European Commission’s Directorate General for Research & Innovation (DG RTD) is organising a ‘The High-Level Dialogue on a forward-looking Research and Innovation agenda for Climate Neutrality by 2050’. 

This dialogue, which will take place on 12 June from 10:30-12:15 online and will be open to the public, offers a unique opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in the field.

The panel discussion, formed by four high-level speakers, will provide their expert views and strategic vision on the role, challenges, and opportunities of R&I as a driver of zero-carbon solutions for a climate-neutral economy by 2050:

• European Commission representatives: - Director General of DG RTD Marc Lemaître - Director General of DG CLIMA Kurt Vandenberghe

• High-level expert representing the innovators community: Vice President of Breakthrough Energy Europe Ann Mettler

• High-level expert representing academia: Deputy Vice Chancellor at Lund University Professor Sylvia Schwaag Serger

You can register for the event here.

Morocco Energy Week, 11-13 June 2024, Morocco

We are delighted to announce that Hydrogen Europe Research is supporting the Morocco Energy Week, co-organised by MASEN on 11-13 June!

Over +300 attendees will gather under the same roof for the launch of this premier event set to invest in Morocco’s Solar, Wind and Green Hydrogen current and upcoming projects, business opportunities, technical showcases and roundtable discussions. The Morocco Energy Week Summit & Exhibition is the official platform of the country’s Green Energy sector, with 1:1 access to decision-makers and investors involved in one of the most promising energy hubs in the region.

Members of Hydrogen Europe Research can claim an exclusive 10% discount for the official platform for the Green Energy sector in the country!

H2science - Advancing Hydrogen for Net Zero, 18-19 June, Trondheim, Norway

Launching in 2024, H2science is a leading conference dedicated to the latest scientific and technological advancements in hydrogen research. This biennial conference is hosted by the Centre for Environment-friendly Research (FME) HYDROGENi, under the auspices of SINTEF.

Their mission is to provide a hub that facilitates discussions on hydrogen technologies and their societal impacts and fosters collaboration between researchers and industry professionals in the field.

H2science is designed to tackle the current challenges related to hydrogen and anticipate future research trends. The conference covers the entire hydrogen value chain, from production to application, and emphasises the vital role of ongoing research and development in shaping the hydrogen economy.

·       The Spring Summer School JESS 2024, 15-21 September 2024, Greece

The 21st edition of the Joint European Summer School – JESS2024 - will again take place close to the beautiful city of Athens on the coast of the Aegean Sea. It will provide six high-level modules on selected topics in fuel cell, electrolyser, battery and related technologies. JESS addresses newcomers to the field, graduate students, and young professionals working at the forefront of electrical energy and hydrogen technologies.

Please register by 31 July 2024 to secure your place in the School!

You can find more information here.

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