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Publications - European Commission
Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cells - A vision of our future |
Introduction
Hydrogen and fuel cells are seen by many as key solutions for tne 2 century, enabling clean efficient production of power and heat from a range of primary energy sources. The High Level Group for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technologies was initiated in October 2002 by the Vice President of the European Commission, Loyola de Palacio, Commissioner for Energy and Transport and Mr Philippe Busquin, Commissioner for Research. The group was invited to formulate a collective vision on the contribution that hydrogen and fuel cells could make to the realisation of sustainable energy systems in future.
This final report has been produced as a follow-up to the summary report presented at the conference The hydrogen economy - A bridge to sustainable energy' held in Brussels on 16-17 June 2003. The terms of reference for the group requested the preparation of a vision report outlining the research, deployment and non-technical actions that would be necessary to move from today's fossil-based energy economy to a future sustainable hydrogen-oriented economy with fuel cell energy converters.
The High Level Group comprised 19 stakeholders representing the research community, industry, public authorities and end-users The Group was requested to give a stakeholder, not a company view.
Further information about this report is contained in the forward signed by Commission Vice-President Loyola de Palacio and Philippe Busquin, Commissioner for Research.
Foreword
Energy is the very lifeblood of today's society and economy, Our work, leisure, and our economic, social and physical welfare all depend on the sufficient, uninterrupted supply of energy. Yet we take it for granted - and energy demand continues to grow, year after year. Traditional fossil energy sources such as oil are ultimately limited and the growing gap between increasing demand and shrinking supply will, in the not too distant future, have to be met increasingly from alternative primary energy sources. We must strive to make these more sustainable to avoid the negative impacts of global climate change, the growing risk of supply disruptions, price volatility and air pollution that are associated with today's energy systems. The energy policy of the European Commission advocates securing energy supply while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with climate change. This calls for immediate actions to promote renewable energy sources, alternative fuels for transport and to increase energy efficiency.
On the technology front, hydrogen, a clean energy carrier that can be produced from any primary energy source, and fuel cells which are very efficient energy conversion devices, are attracting the attention of public and private authorities. Hydrogen and fuel cells, by enabling the so-called hydrogen economy, hold great promise for meeting in a quite unique way, our concerns over security of supply and climate change.
With these factors in mind, we established the High Level Group for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies in October 2002, and asked its members to come forward in six months with a collective vision of bow these technologies could help meet Europe's aspirations for sustainable energy systems. This report is the result and, we believe, a first milestone.
The report highlights the need for strategic planning and increased effort on research, development and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. It also makes wide-ranging recommendations for a more structured approach to European Energy policy and research, for education and training, and for developing political and public awareness. Foremost amongst its recommendations is the establishment of a European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Partnership and Advisory Council to guide the process.
Security of energy supply is of major concern for the European Union. As North Sea production peaks, our dependence on imported oil - vital for today's transport systems - is forecast to grow from around 75% today, to in excess of 85% by 2020, much of it coming from the Middle East. We have also witnessed the disruption and economic loss caused by recent major grid outages in North America and Italy, illustrating the need to reinforce security of supply. In the transatlantic summit held on 25th june 2003 in Washington, President Prodi, Prime Minister Simitis and President Bush stated that the European Union and the United States should co-operate to accelerate the development of the hydrogen economy as a means of addressing energy security and environmental concerns.
Hydrogen based energy systems can build bridges to the future, but planning a cost-effective and efficient transition is hugely complex. The very large capital and human investments implied will require many years before coming to fruition. However, we must begin now to explore this path to a more sustainable future.
The High Level Groups vision was presented at the conference "The hydrogen economy - a bridge to sustainable energy" held in Brussels in June 2003 and presided over by President Prodi. The groups vision and recommendations were strongly supported. We therefore endorse the recommendations of the High level Group and the need for action today. That is why we intend to launch a 'European Partnership for the Sustainable Hydrogen Economy' as soon as possible, to mobilize a broad range of stakeholders and structure a coherent effort on advancing sustainable hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Europe.
Contents
The contents list shown below indicates the scope of the 36 page report, published in 2003 by the Directorate-General for Research together with the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, under the reference code EUR 20719 EN. (ISBN 92 8945589 6).
The reports starts by considering The energy challenge in the first section which indicates that "worldwide demand for energy is growing at an alarming rate. The European World Energy Technology and Climate Policy Outlook (WETO) predicts an average growth rate of 1 8% per annum for the period 2000- 2030 for primary energy worldwide. The increased demand is being met largely by reserves of fossil fuel that emit both greenhouse gasses and other pollutants. Those reserves are diminishing and they will become increasingly expensive. Currently the level of CO2, emissions per capita for developing nations is 20% of that for the major industrial nations. As developing nations industrialise, this will increase substantially. By 2030, CO2, emissions from developing nations could account for more than half the world CO2; emissions. Industrialised countries should lead the development of new energy systems to offset this.
Energy security is a major issue. Fossil fuel, particularly crude oil, is confined to a few areas of the world and continuity of supply is governed by political, economic and ecological factors. These factors conspire to force volatile, often high fuel prices vvhile, at the same time, environmental policy is demanding a reduction in greenhouse gases and toxic emissions. A coherent energy strategy is required, addressing both energy supply and demand, taking account of the whole energy life-cycle including fuel production, transmission and distribution, and energy conversion, and the impact on energy equipment manufacturers and the end-users of energy systems. In the short term, the aim should be to achieve higher energy efficiency and increased supply from European energy sources, in particular renewables. In the long term, a hydrogen-based economy will have an impact on all these sectors. In view of technological developments, vehicle and component manufacturers, transport providers, the energy industry, and even householders are seriously looking at alternative energy sources and fuels and more efficient and cleaner technologies - especially hydrogen and hydrogen-powered fuel cells.
In this document, the High Level Group highlights the potential of hydrogen-based energy systems globally, and for Europe in particular, in the context of a broad energy and environment strategy. It then proposes research structures and actions necessary for their development and market deployment.
Contents
1. The energy challenge
2. Why hydrogen and fuel cells
3. What can Europe do?
4. Summary, conclusions and recommendations
TECHNICAL ANNEX
Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and related challenges
ANNEX I
High Level Group on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technologies
ANNEX II
High Level Group on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technologies: Sherpas
Contacts
Contact
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Updated
by CPL Press:
03/07/2007
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