Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Topics
From Roads2HyCom Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Wiki - A Reliable Source of Information - Edited by Technology Experts Only
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen constitute a very broad topic in terms of the diversity of technological detail and socio-economic backdrop across the range of energy chains and applications. It is impossible to draw simple, universally correct conclusions, but as a generalisation it can be said that:
- The technological state of the art is advancing significantly, but the right support and incentives are required to address critical issues and realise recent progress in volume-produced applications; as well as developing the engineering, manufacturing and servicing skill-base to support their arrival in the market
- There are significant early markets created by specialised application niches and by the political will of municipal early adopters; these markets need to be encouraged to grow and replicate by implementing appropriate policy, in a manner that is stable long-term, at European level
- There is a critical need to link the development of sustainable and low carbon energy policy, to that for the supply of Hydrogen as a fuel, so that the environmental potential of hydrogen-fuelled applications can be realised. The linkage to grid development and sustainable electricity (which both complements and competes with hydrogen as an energy vector) is especially critical
The challenge now for Europe is to bring together critical masses of stakeholders in technology development, energy supply and the wider community in order to ensure that the vision of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen in a sustainable energy economy is realised. The project has developed seven “success factors” for this to happen:
| Roads2HyCom’s seven success factors for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen in a Sustainable Energy Economy | |
| Vigorous research to address key issues – Realisation of mass-production, durability and impurity tolerance, Hydrogen storage in vehicles | |
| Development of the Skill-base – Research, product engineering, manufacturing, servicing | |
| Stimulation of early markets – Fiscal incentives, Civic procurement, removal of bureaucratic barriers, sharing of learning | |
| Financing – Availability of research and infrastructure grants, venture capital and business loans, on a suitable, stable and secure basis | |
| Stability of long term policy – Sustained policy support, financing and incentives to promote industrial investment in mass production | |
| Joined-up Energy Policy – Clarity of priorities (environment, energy security), Availability of low-carbon energy, integration with a smarter electricity grid | |
| Flexible European Cohesion – Playing to our strengths in international markets |
