Clean hydrogen for sustainable energy

Hydrogen is an important energy carrier of the future, especially if it comes from renewable energy sources. The advantages of this energy carrier are obvious: hydrogen can easily be stored, transported and used for all energy sectors. However, numerous hurdles still need to be overcome before hydrogen can become the fuel of the future. A structured approach to these challenges is offered by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU). Bart Biebuyck, Executive Director of FCH JU, presented the work of this Clean Hydrogen Partnership at the eighth JARA-ENERGY Talks.

A strong partnership for clean hydrogen
More than 450 partners have already joined forces in the FCH JU to make the supply of sufficient clean hydrogen in Europe a reality. Bart Biebuyck told his audience at the end of April about the many areas in which the FCH JU is active, promoting and supporting. "The main issue is meeting the climate targets," the Executive Director reported, "and that is by realizing the European Hydrogen Strategy." The European Hydrogen Strategy envisions establishing clean hydrogen in all energy sectors on a comprehensive scale in three phases. To this end, production and infrastructure must be expanded, especially in the first two phases. The aim is to significantly reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gases through the use of clean hydrogen in the long term - especially in sectors where it has been difficult to reduce CO2 emissions to date.

"The climate is not waiting for us"
The supply of sufficient clean hydrogen is a major challenge. Therefore, the activities in the Clean Hydrogen Partnership involve all factors. In some areas, such as the development of hydrogen-powered passenger cars, a good foundation has already been laid, but in others more research and development work is needed. Thus, with funding and structured plans, not only should all sectors be considered, but also the safety. Bart Biebuyck pointed out the importance of ensuring safety in his presentation: " Security in the use of hydrogen is the main concern of the population. That's why a panel of experts is taking care of this issue." In addition, there is also a focus on training tomorrow's experts. "In the future, the technology should become more and more refined and more and more safe, for this we already have to invest in the training of young experts," Biebuyck said.

Following his presentation, Bart Biebuyck answered numerous interested questions from the audience. He concluded with a plea for the implementation of the energy transition: "The climate is not waiting for us," he summed up "we have to tackle the energy transition energetically to ensure a healthy world climate and, above all, the quality of life of future generations."

More information on the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU): https://www.fch.europa.eu/

More information about the speaker Bart Biebuyck: https://www.fch.europa.eu/page/executive-director

Find out more about the European Hydrogen Strategy: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/fs_20_1296

Learn more about JARA-ENERGY Talks: https://www.jara.org/de/forschung/jara-energy/wissenstransfer