Dear Friends,

This month, I have had the opportunity to represent Hydrogen Europe Research at several events: KEY.ENERGY in Rimini, the kick-off meeting of H2 Start in Sofia, and the Hydrogen Days in Prague. I am also travelling to Kobe, Japan, for a workshop between the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and NEDO.

A common thread has run through all these meetings: the challenge of European competitiveness, a topic that has gained significant attention following various reports published since last summer.

The central issue is the lack of coordinated action in Europe, which creates obstacles, particularly in complex technological sectors like hydrogen. These challenges span multiple levels of the supply chain and encompass technological, economic, industrial, and market-related barriers. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, as no single action can resolve them all. Here is a summary of the main gaps and the actions needed:

Technological gaps: continuous and enhanced support for research and innovation is essential. This involves increased funding and a balanced focus on fundamental research, applied research, and innovation — all equally important. A key step is allocating dedicated resources in the next Multi-Financial Framework of the European program;

Industrial gaps: strengthening industrial scaling up, both in terms of products and manufacturing, is vital. The Clean Industrial Deal and its proposed framework for state aid in the hydrogen sector are significant steps in this direction;

Economic gaps: recent debates have highlighted the high cost of hydrogen production in Europe. Delayed measures have led to initiatives like the European Hydrogen Bank and national incentives, but these tools face inherent challenges. One critical issue is the uneven impact of operational costs (OPEX) on hydrogen production, with electricity price variations creating disparities between countries and excluding some from European auctions.

Market gaps: developing the hydrogen market requires addressing a broad range of factors beyond economics. These include schemes for guarantees of origin, regulations, standards, legal frameworks, authorization processes, and permitting.

Clearly, this framework is still taking shape, but I believe a coordinated approach by the European Commission is crucial. Aligning research and development, industrialisation efforts, and early market development will be key to overcoming these challenges effectively. I hope these actions will progress in a coordinated manner!

HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Save the date for Hydrogen Europe Research next General Assembly!

Hydrogen Europe Research next General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Brussels on 12 June 2025! This important gathering (for members only) will serve as a key opportunity to discuss the latest developments in our research community and future strategies of our organisation.

We are thrilled to introduce a new initiative aimed at fostering greater collaboration and engagement among our members. For the first time, we will be hosting a side event immediately following the General Assembly. This will begin on the afternoon of 12 June and continue into 13 June 2025. The event will provide an excellent platform for members to present their Clean Hydrogen Partnership projects, exchange ideas, and engage in informal discussions.

While the event will be broadcast online, only those attending in person will be eligible to present their projects. If you are a member and you are interested in presenting your Clean Hydrogen Partnership project during this event, please get in touch with Simona at s.vitali@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu!

The European PHD Hydrogen Conference starts in 2 weeks!

The conference will be attended by 155 PhD students, representing 85 institutions from 21 countries. To discover more about the event and its beautiful location and venue, check out the EPHyC website!

Let the countdown begin, EPHyC starts in 2 weeks!

Hydrogen VET Teachers Forum 2025 at Spa-Francorchamps, 8-10 May 2025

We are pleased to inform you about the Hydrogen VET Forum 2025, a key training event for hydrogen vocational education and training (VET) teachers, taking place on 8-10 May 2025 at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, alongside the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) 6 Hours of Spa.

Following the success of the first edition in 2024, in which Hydrogen Europe Research actively participated as a partner of Green Skills For Hydrogen, this year's forum continues to build momentum in equipping educators with essential knowledge about various aspects of hydrogen. Other partners involved in the organisation include the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, Automotive Skills Alliance, Green Skills For Hydrogen, Hydrogen Europe and other key industry and education stakeholders.

The Hydrogen VET Forum provides participants with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of hydrogen technologies, including fuel cells, hydrogen combustion engines, and safety protocols, and equip them with the knowledge to educate their students about the subject. Educators will engage with industry leaders and experts in the field. The event also features demonstrations of prototypes, allowing attendees to experience these technologies in action and integrate the latest developments into their teaching and training programs.

The forum consists of three phases. Pre-registration is required by April 11, 2025, after which participants will gain access to the online training phase. Taking place in March and April 2025, the online training provides a 1-2 day introductory course on hydrogen applications, ensuring attendees arrive well-prepared for the in-person event. The final phase occurs in Spa-Francorchamps from May 8-10, 2025, where hands-on learning, and networking opportunities will take place.

For those interested in exploring the online course, more details can be found here. The full programme of the in-person event is available here. While this event is open to a broad range of participants, we highly encourage VET teachers within our membership to apply!

CLEAN HYDROGEN PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

Should you be interested in participating in the elaboration of the next Annual Work Plan, do not hesitate to get in touch with our Innovation Manager – Louis Mazurkiewicz, at l.mazurkiewicz@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu!

Hydrogen Europe Research and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership are encouraging all stakeholders to actively engage in the ongoing public consultation on the future Multi-Financial Framework (MFF) to advocate for sustained and increased investment in research for hydrogen technologies. This is essential to secure support for the clean hydrogen transition, which will be critical in driving industrial leadership, job creation, and a decarbonised European economy.

The MFF will play a key role in shaping future financial support for hydrogen initiatives, focusing on continued research and innovation to lower costs and improve technology performance. Key aspects of the consultation include the European Competitiveness Fund, which aims to consolidate existing programs to support strategic sectors like clean energy and hydrogen. The consultation also covers topics such as transport, connectivity, and the development of Hydrogen Valleys. Stakeholders are requested to submit evidence-based input to ensure hydrogen remains central to Europe’s energy strategy and receives strong, long-term financial backing. The consultation is open until May 6, 2025.

In other news, to support the objective of large-scale deployment of sustainable and circular hydrogen, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership will be holding a webinar on Hydrogen Sustainability and Circularity. The webinar will open with insights from the European Hydrogen Sustainability and Circularity Panel (EHS&CP), established by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. The panel will present its findings and discuss key challenges in advancing hydrogen sustainability and circularity. The session will focus on clean hydrogen production and its role in decarbonising transportation, emphasising the importance of storage, resource efficiency, and circularity. More information and registration can be found here.

MEMBERS NEWS

WELCOME TO HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEW MEMBERS!

We welcome new members interested in joining the European research and innovation ecosystem focused on hydrogen! 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. 

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

The university is renowned for its strong and innovative expertise in fields such as health and social sciences, engineering, teacher education, maritime sciences, natural sciences, culture and sports, social sciences, economics, and management.

With five campuses spanning 400 kilometres along Norway's western coast, HVL is a hub of diverse academic activity. Its hydrogen research addresses natural science, technical, and socio-technical aspects across the entire hydrogen value chain, exploring innovative production methods, advanced storage technologies, and various end-use applications.

MEMBERS NEWS

Launch of the 3rd Edition of the IEA Hydrogen TCP Awards of Excellence

The Theme for the 2025 Awards is “Hydrogen Innovations and Technologies for Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors and Sustainable Fuels”. This theme highlights groundbreaking projects that drive the clean energy transition forward.

If you know of projects making a significant impact, now is the time to shine a spotlight on their contributions! Applications are open until May 10.

Learn more and submit your proposal here!  

SYRIUS Project Officially Launched with a Successful Kick-Off Meeting in Terni!

The launch of the SYRIUS project – SOEC Hydrogen Integration and Circular Use in Steelmaking Process has been announced!

On 26 and 27 February, 2025, the kick-off meeting took place at the Acciai Speciali Terni Spa premises in Terni, Italy. The event brought together nearly 40 participants in person, with additional attendees joining virtually, ensuring a fantastic turnout.

The Kick-off Meeting served as an excellent platform to introduce the SYRIUS project, bring all partners together, and outline the objectives for the project’s 4.5-year duration. It also provided an exciting preview of the innovative work ahead, setting the stage for a successful journey.

Read the full press release here!

MEMBERS VACANCIES

PhD Opportunity in Grenoble: Research in Materials for Energy and Electrochemistry

We are pleased to announce a 36-month PhD position at CEA-Liten and SIMAP in Grenoble, funded by Labex MateriAlps under the ANDROMEDE project.

Research Area: Materials for energy, Solid State Electrochemistry, and Advanced materials characterization techniques.

Requirements: A master’s degree in solid-state physics or materials engineering, with significant experience in material characterization.

For further details on the project and application process, please refer to this document!

EVENTS ATTENDED BY HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH

Launch of H2START Project in Bulgaria, 14 March 2025, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

On 14 March 2025, HER President Luigi Crema took part in the launch of the H2START project in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. He participated in the High-Level Panel Discussion titled "Collaborating for Education, Research, Innovation, Policy, and Regional Transformation”, alongside:

As part of the H2START project, a Centre of Excellence for renewable hydrogen production will be established in Stara Zagora. This Centre will focus on advancing innovative technology for clean hydrogen production and usage.

The project is funded with EUR 15 million through the Horizon Europe Programme and national co-financing. Luigi Crema is also a member of the H2START Advisory Board.

Advancing the SET Plan for a Sustainable Energy Future – Driving Energy Innovation Together, 19 March 2025, Brussels, Belgium

The conference focused on three key themes:

• Innovation & EU Policy – Aligning with EU strategies, bridging the innovation gap, and overcoming barriers to innovation.
• Clean Energy Future – Driving breakthrough technologies for decarbonization, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in clean energy, and tackling industrial transformation challenges.
• Resilience & Strategic Autonomy – Strengthening supply chain resilience, mitigating risks from global trade tensions, and shaping EU policies for a competitive and self-sufficient energy sector.

Vincent Berruto, Head of Unit B4 (Digitalisation, Competitiveness, Research, and Innovation) at DG ENER, opened the event, underlining the European Commission’s commitment to the SET Plan and its Implementation Working Groups.

Hydrogen Europe Research is proud to support the Hydrogen Working Group through SET4H2!

EVENTS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

JP e3s and FCH joint workshop "Impact of hydrogen technologies on the society", 26 March 2025, University of Turin, Italy

EERA’s Joint Programmes on Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts of the Energy Transition (e3s) and Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH) are organising a joint workshop to analyse hydrogen’s potential contribution and the obstacles to its effective use in achieving a just and sustainable energy transition.
 
Join the event at University of Turin on March 26 to explore the societal impacts of hydrogen technologies and discuss the necessary steps to effectively oversee its role in the clean energy transition.

Learn more and register here!

9th International Hydrogen Technologies Congress (IHTEC-2025), 25 - 28 May 2025, Izmir, Turkey

Join the 9^th International Hydrogen Technologies Congress (IHTEC-2025), a leading multidisciplinary international event organized by Dokuz Eylül University and the Hydrogen Technologies Association! The congress will take place from May 25 to 28, 2025, in Izmir, Türkiye.

IHTEC-2025 will serve as a forum for the exchange of technical knowledge, the dissemination of high-quality research, and the presentation of new policies and scientific advancements in the field of hydrogen energy. The congress will cover a broad range of topics related to the hydrogen ecosystem, including production, storage, distribution, utilization, safety, and policy.

Participation from both academia and industry is welcome! The conference will foster effective and fruitful discussions and collaborations among participants from various disciplines, institutions, and sectors worldwide.

Discover more here!

5th International Conference on Electrolysis 2025, 25-29 August 2025, Fribourg, Germany

We are excited to announce the fifth International Conference on Electrolysis (ICE) in 2025. This event has rapidly become a key platform for PhD students, academic researchers and technical experts from industry to share breakthroughs in electrolysis technology, particularly in its role in energy conversion and green hydrogen production.

Following the success of previous editions in Denmark, Norway, the United States, and South Africa, ICE 2025 will continue to focus on advancing electrolysis technologies crucial for the global energy transition. It will take place from 25-29 August 2025 in Freiburg, Germany.

Become part of ICE 2025 and submit an abstract (PDF file, 1 page) on your latest and groundbreaking results in the field of electrolysis!

Discover more about the conference here.

Joint European Summer School in Fuel Cell, Electrolyser, and Battery Technologies, 15-19 September 2025, Vravrona, Greece

Share the news with your students of this outstanding opportunity to catch up on knowledge in fuel cell, electrolyser, hydrogen, and battery technologies. They offer courses on:

- Low temperature fucl cells and electrolysers,

- High temperature fucl cells and electrolysers,

- Batteries, and

- Hydrogen Safety.

An early bird discount is being offered until 31 March.

Please be quick to find all details on the website!

European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen "PIERO LUNGHI CONFERENCE" 2025, 17-19 September 2025, Capri, Italy

The European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Piero Lunghi Conference 2025 (EFCH₂ 2025), now in its 11th edition, will take place in Italy in the beautiful setting of Capri and is recognized as one of the most important international conferences in the field of hydrogen technologies and fuel cells. EFCH₂ 2025 provides a unique opportunity to showcase the latest technical advancements, establish new contacts, and promote the exchange of technical, industrial, and commercial information.

The event will bring together academics, researchers, industry professionals, and public sector representatives to share experiences and research outcomes, covering all aspects of hydrogen technologies, fuel cells, and clean energy.  It serves as a premier interdisciplinary forum, bringing together participants to showcase and discuss cutting-edge innovations, emerging trends, and critical challenges in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, as well as clean energy. It also highlights the practical solutions being implemented in these fields. By fostering the exchange of ideas and strategies, the event promotes collaboration aimed at addressing the most pressing needs in the energy sector.

Discover more here!

ZBT Hydrogen Energy Symposium 2025, 12 November 2025, Duisburg, Germany

Join the ZBT Hydrogen Energy Symposium, hosted by the ZBT Research School! This event, taking place on November 12, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Fraunhofer InHaus Center, Forsthausweg 1, 47057 Duisburg, brings together researchers, experts, and enthusiasts for a full day dedicated to exploring advancements in hydrogen energy.

The symposium will feature insightful talks and engaging poster presentations from various fields of hydrogen energy research. Key topics which will be tacked are:

• Functional Materials and Electrochemical Systems
• Hydrogen Storage, Transportation, Safety, and Regulations
• Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers
• Hydrogen Applications in Transportation, Industry, and Energy Systems

The call for abstracts will open in April 2025 – stay tuned for updates and check regularly this page!

In the meantime, take a look at some highlights from the 2024 Hydrogen Energy Symposium here!

Spaces may be limited, so secure your spot early to avoid missing out!

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