Dear colleagues, dear friends of Hydrogen Europe Research,
I hope you could use the summer break to enjoy and to relax a little bit before coming back full of energy!
The Important Project for European Common Interest (IPCEI) Hy2Tech for hydrogen has been finally notified in July by the European Commission allowing up to €5.4 billion state aids and unlocking €8.8 billion of private investments. This will contribute European industry to remain at the fore-front. The need of enhancing research efforts has never been so strong to support this initiative through research& technology infrastrucures but also by developing breakthrough technologies for the next generations. Under the Czech presidency of the Council, a specific declaration is calling to improve the synergies in the research and innovation funding at the European level but also between the member states.
We are happy to see our family continuously grow with again 8 new members we warmly welcome. As the youngth is our future, we are looking forward to receiving many applications for the 2022 Young Scientist Awards with this year a new award for the best young researcher.
Enjoy this second newsletter and looking forward to meeting you at our next General Assembly in Brussels on 25 October!
Kind regards,
Laurent Antoni
President, Hydrogen Europe Research
HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEWS AND ACTIVITIES
Young Scientist Award 2022 – change of criterion, apply now!
The Young Scientist Award is an annual competition organised by Hydrogen Europe Research and conducted during the Hydrogen Week (26-28 October 2022). It aims at rewarding young researchers (under 35 years old of age) belonging to our member organisations, who have personally contributed to hydrogen-related project(s).
In our previous communications regarding the award, we mentioned that the competition was only open to researchers involved in at least one FCH JU project. In order to be more open towards our young members and as the JU is no more the only European programme supporting hydrogen technologies, the Board decided to adapt this criterion: participation in FCH JUs projects is now recommended, and not mandatory anymore! Therefore, young researchers who been involved in other kind of projects -national, regional, European, and not necessarily funded by FCH JU- with the same thematic focus can also apply!
This year, the application will revolve around four pillars, reflecting the structure of the new Clean Hydrogen Partnership. One young scientist will be awarded in each pillar, and one will be elected “Best Scientific Researcher of the Year”.
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 be invited to attend the European hydrogen week in Brussels and will receive €1000 each and a recognition certificate. The Best Scientific Researcher of the Year will receive €1000 and a recognition certificate.
Click here to discover the eligibility criteria and to download the application form!
Hydrogen Europe Research new Intranet…coming soon!
We are building a private, secure intranet that can only be accessed by our members; it will serve as the portal to access resources developed for members only.
If you are a Hydrogen Europe Research member, keep an eye on your inbox; you will receive your login and password soon!
Hydrogen Europe Research Skills Working Group: workshop on Microcredential, 12 July 2022
The rapid development of the European hydrogen value chain over the coming years is expected to generate approximately 1 million highly skilled jobs by 2030, and up to 5.4 million by 2050. Some of these jobs are new, others already exist and will undergo core transformations. Workers will have to be upskilled and reskilled to integrate a hydrogen dimension to their current occupation. The European Union has been developing a set of tools to ensure that this workforce will be trained. Among them, there is the concept of micro-credentials which, as stated by the European Commission “ […] certify the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences, for example a short course or training. They offer a flexible, targeted way to help people develop the knowledge, skills and competences they need for their personal and professional development.”
The two-hour workshop organised on July 12 in the remit of the Skills Working Group of Hydrogen Europe Research & Hydrogen Europe aimed to discuss the mechanism of MicroCredentials and how it could be applied to vocational learning and continuous professional development.
Click here to know more about the Skills Working Group!
GreenSkills4H2 project Kick-off Meeting – 6, 7 July 2022
On July 6 and 7, the kick-off meeting of the new GreenSkills4H2 project from Erasmus+ programme took place both online and in-person in Brussels. Stakeholders from across Europe met for the first time to discuss values, objectives, and deliverables of the 4-year project, which aims at developing sectoral skills strategies to reduce skills shortages, gaps and mismatches, in the short and the medium term.
The project will focus on the hydrogen value chain, and more precisely on hydrogen production, distribution, transport and storage. After an analysis of the skills needs and the development of a skills strategy (Year 1), a core curriculum will be drafted, and training materials will be developed (Year 2 – Year 3). Trainings will then be implemented to test the materials developed with different publics (Year 3 – Year 4).
Today, the GreenSkills4H2 project counts 33 partners, led by the German research organisation Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), with the assistance of Hydrogen Europe, Hydrogen Europe Research, and the Brussels-based European advisory firm Schuman Associates.
The two-day meeting was split between presentations on the different work packages, and workshops to promote interactions and allow partners to engage with one another on specific content points that will be relevant in the next four years.
CLEAN HYDROGEN PARTNERSHIP UPDATES
2022 Call for proposals
The evaluation of proposals for the first deadline (31st of May) of the 2022 Annual Work Plan of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership took place during the months of July and August – a total of 79 proposals were received.
The results have just been notified to the different applicants.
As a reminder, the 2022 Annual Work Plan includes a second deadline (20th of September) for 15 other topics on a wide range of hydrogen applications. Call topics can be found here.
Should you have any questions on the Clean Hydrogen Partnership Call for proposals, you can reach out to the Programme Office (projects@clean-hydrogen.europa.eu). For questions on internal processes within Hydrogen Europe Research, please get in touch with our Innovation Manager (l.mazurkiewicz@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu).
Completion of the first phase of the Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Observatory (FCHO)
The Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Observatory (FCHO) provides data (statistics, facts and analysis) and up to date information about the entire hydrogen sector. The FCHO focuses on technology and market statistics, socio-economic indicators, policy and regulation, and financial support.
Hydrogen Europe Research partners with Hydrogen Europe, E4Tech, HGF, NEN, Innovation Loop, and Inycom in the project.
The closing of the contract that set up the FCHO signifies the end of the first phase of the project. The Clean Hydrogen Partnership will continue to support the observatory, through a second public procurement that has recently closed. The FCHO will be renamed to European Hydrogen Observatory and will be further enhanced. The primary role of the observatory will be to act as the European one-stop source of information for hydrogen, aiming to sustain and further enhance the current position of FCHO as the reference point for information on fuel cells and hydrogen technologies and applications for Europe.
NEWS FROM EUROPE
Important Project of Common European Interest in the hydrogen technology value chain (IPCEI Hy2Tech) approved by the European Commission
On July 15, the European Commission has approved “IPCEI Hy2Tech”, the first Important Project of Common European Interest in the hydrogen sector. The project aims at developing innovative technologies for the hydrogen value chain to decarbonise industrial processes and mobility. It involves 35 companies and 41 projects from 15 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain.
The Commission has authorised under the State aid rules up to 5.4 billion euros designed to develop and deploy projects on a wide range of hydrogen technologies, including electrolysers, fuels cells and storage. The funding is expected to unlock €8.8 billion of private investments.
Read more here.
Prague Declaration on Synergies in the Research and Innovation Funding in Europe
Following the Conference on Synergies in the Research and Innovation Funding in Europe, organised by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU from 7th to 8th July 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic, the Prague Declaration on Synergies in the Research and Innovation Funding in Europe has been published. You will find the document here. The video-recording of the event has also been made available on the conference website.
Hydrogen Europe Research’s Statement on the European Parliament’s Report on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
On 22 June, the European Parliament adopted its position on the regulation establishing the world’s first Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). In light of the EU´s Green Deal and the enormous transformation process taking place in an international competitive setting characterised by different CO2 pricing levels, effective protection measures against so-called “carbon leakages” are required.
Hydrogen Europe Research acknowledges the relevance of such a mechanism to avoid carbon leakages and to incentivise investments in third counties to ramp up global decarbonisation efforts. However, emissions from the transport of hydrogen to its consumption point must be taken into account when calculating the carbon footprint of hydrogen. Complementary mechanisms should cover these aspects to ensure the impact of regulations.
MEMBERS’ NEWS
WELCOME TO HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEW MEMBERS!
Following the approval of the Statutes (April 6, 2022), the Executive Board is now in charge of reviewing the applications received once per month and accepting new members. We are proud to announce that since April 2022, the Executive Board welcomed 16 new full members!
If you are not part of the Hydrogen Europe Research membership, and you would like to have more information on how to join us, contact us at secretariat@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu!
Click here to discover more about our membership criteria.
Ghent University
Ghent University is a top 100 university and one of the major universities in Belgium, founded in 1817. Their 11 faculties offer a wide range of courses and conduct in-depth research within a wide range of scientific domains. They are a pluralistic university that is open to all students, regardless of their ideological, political, cultural or social background. Their credo is ‘Dare to think’.
University of Cassino and Southern Lazio
The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio was founded in 1979. The site in Cassino, between Rome and Naples, is home to courses in Economics and Engineering. Their didactic offer is wide, and many courses are offered entirely in English. More than 2000 students attend the university campus every day, and the University provides 54 research laboratories, multimedia classrooms, libraries and multi-purpose sports campus.
University of Trieste
The principal ambition of the University of Trieste is to prepare the future class of leaders and professionals for a world of work in which the required level of knowledge and preparation changes every day. Adaptability to change and continual learning are among the main values that they emphasise. For many years, the University has held a leading position in the ranking of Italian universities, while it is one of the few Italian institutions also found in international rankings.
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) is a public institution of research and higher education in the fields of engineering, architecture, sciences and technology, and one of the leading technical universities in Europe. Every year, more than 6000 bachelor’s and master’s students, more than 500 doctoral students graduate, and 3067 graduates in lifelong learning. The UPC has a high graduate employment rate: 93% of its graduates are in work and 76% find a job in under three months.
Luxembourg Institute of Science & Technology
The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a mission-driven Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. LIST develops competitive and market-oriented product/service prototypes for public and private stakeholders, and works across the entire innovation chain: fundamental/applied research, incubation, transfer of technologies. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.
INEGI- Instituto de Ciência e Inovação em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia Industrial
INEGI – Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is a Research and Technology Organisation (RTO), founded in 1986; it focuses on research and technology-based innovation activities, technology transfer, consulting and technological services, oriented to the development of industry and economy in general. It is a non-profit, private and recognised as a public utility entity.
Łukasiewicz Research Network Electrotechnical Institute
Since 1946, the Łukasiewicz Research Network - Electrotechnical Institute, has been providing support to companies from the electrotechnical industry in the following areas: testing and certification of electrotechnical products; Research and development; Joint research projects. The center is oriented towards innovative technologies, while striving to maintain and reinforce the high market position of partners and clients of the Institute.
CARTIF Foundation
CARTIF is a horizontal, private and non-profit Research Institution, whose main mission is providing innovative solutions to the industry to enhance their processes, systems and products, improving their competitiveness and creating new business opportunities. CARTIF is a multidisciplinary center that works in multiple knowledge fields, focused to many economic sectors: energy, food, industry, construction and infrastructures, health and environment, addressing research lines oriented to the main societal challenges, as industry 4.0, smart grids, smart cities, energy efficiency, cultural heritage, quality of life, circular economy, natural resources and biotechnology.
DON’T MISS THE NEXT EVENTS!
European Materials Research Society (E-MRS) Fall Meeting, 19-22 September in Warsaw, Poland
The 2022 E-MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit will be held in Warsaw University of Technology, from September 19 to 21 (exhibition) and September 19 to 22 (technical sessions).
The conference will consist of 20 parallel symposia with invited speakers, oral and poster presentations and a plenary session to provide an international forum for discussing recent advances in the field of materials science.
Hydrogen Europe Research will be a sponsor of the symposium Q: Advanced catalytic materials for (photo)electrochemical energy conversion, which will provide a platform for researchers working on catalytic materials to showcase and learn about the latest findings in this fast-growing field of research.
Reskillled to Repower: H2 Skills Agenda - European Week of Regions & Cities, 12 October in Brussels
The Hydrogen Value Chain is expected to employ more than one million people by 2030 and five times as many by 2050. The REPower Europe and H2 Accelerator add to the pressure to create a European workforce that matches the needs of the growing hydrogen sector. Our session on October 12, from 11:30 AM to 13:00 PM (CET), brings speakers from the industry, local government and education and training providers to discuss H2 skills needs and how to design, replicate and fund curricula and training programmes across Europe.
SPEAKERS
- Massimo Valsania, Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Europe & Hydrogen Europe Research Skills Working Group and VP Engineering, Ethos Energy
- Political representative from Auvergne Rhone Alpes; Member of Hydrogen Europe Regional Pillar;
- Jacqueline van Krieken, Project Coordinator Energy Switch, Technical University (TU) Delft
- Nikolaos Ntavos, Co-Founder & Manager of Bioeconomy & Environment Cluster of Western Macedonia
During the event, videos showing the best practices from Northern Netherlands, Basque Country, and Occitaine Region will be presented.
The event will take place at hall 5, Brussel Expo.
Click here to learn more and to register.
European Hydrogen Week and Hydrogen Europe Flagship Event & Expo, 24-28 October 2022
The European Hydrogen Week will take place from the 24 to 28 of October. The week will include the Research Day, the Programme Review Days as well as the Hydrogen Europe Flagship Event, and will gather the stakeholders of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (European Commission, Hydrogen Europe Research, Hydrogen Europe).
A novelty this year will be the organisation of side events across Europe to make the Hydrogen Week truly European. Local and regional authorities, municipalities, public and private entities are encouraged to share ideas and latest developments within the Hydrogen Community during the entire month of October 2022.
These side events can be in the form of workshops, panel discussions, info sessions… More information and application form can be found here.
In addition, this year Hydrogen Europe Research will participate in the Hydrogen Europe Flagship Event as exhibitor with its own, branded pavilion! Our members will have the opportunity to have their own stands in the HER pavilion, to showcase their activities and projects and to network with other hydrogen stakeholders.
If you are a Hydrogen Europe Research member, and you wish to be part of our pavilion at the Flagship Event & Expo, do not hesitate to contact us!
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