Hydrogen could reduce oil consumption in road transport by 40% by 2050

A scientific project funded by the EU research concluded that the introduction of hydrogen in the energy system would reduce total oil consumption of road transport by 40% by 2050. Taking the head of the global market for hydrogen technologies, Europe can open new markets and strengthen its competitiveness. But the analysis also indicates that the transition will not happen automatically. Significant obstacles must first be overcome, both economic and technological and institutional, and we must act as soon as possible. The project combines Hyway companies, research institutes and government agencies from ten European countries. Through a series of more than 50 workshops, the project has resulted in a roadmap for analyzing the potential impact on the economy, society and environment of the EU, the use large-scale hydrogen in the short and long term, with a plan of action outlining the modalities for realizing this program. The report is published when the Member States should endorse a new research partnership between public and private sectors, amounting to 940 million euros for development of hydrogen and fuel cells.

The project Hyway produced a roadmap based on analysis of the situation in Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland and the United United, and a plan of action outlining measures to increase the use of hydrogen.

Hydrogen is one of the most realistic options to improve the environmental and economic sustainability in transport, in particular passenger transport, utilities and light buses. However, the use of this form of energy requires gradual changes over the entire energy system and thus careful planning at this stage. The transitional period offers Europe the opportunity to lead the development of hydrogen, the fuel cell technology and its applications in transport and energy supply. The challenges are important and we must act wisely as quickly as if Europe fails to pay the price of a late entry on the market.

The cost of applications of hydrogen, especially in road transport, should be reduced considerably to be competitive. Meanwhile, we need aid programs for technologies for end uses of hydrogen and construction of infrastructure. The project includes detailed simulations of high quality that allow the comparison between the expenditure related to the production and distribution of hydrogen and construction vehicles matching the one hand and savings associated with the gradual replacement of conventional vehicles and the corresponding reduction in the consumption of conventional fuels, on the other hand, it is clear from these simulations that the breakeven would be reached between 2025 and 2035. The roadmap provides that Hyway 2030, there were 16 million cars running on hydrogen, and the total cumulative investment in infrastructure will represent about 60 billion euros.

The study examines the various modes of hydrogen production is possible and divergent attitudes in the EU. All countries surveyed chose the production of hydrogen from natural gas, biomass and wind energy. Nuclear energy is considered as an option in France, Finland, Spain, Poland and the United Kingdom, while the use of coal was excluded in Finland, France and Norway. The report shows that the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels, using capture and storage of carbon, could make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, the introduction of hydrogen in the energy system offers the opportunity to increase the share of renewable energy, and promotes the use of large-scale intermittent resources such as wind energy, because of its use as temporary storage of energy.

Ministers responsible for competitiveness in the 27 Member States should now consider and approve a European Commission proposal for a partnership between public and private sectors (JTI) to develop fuel cell technology and hydrogen. This program of research, technological development and demonstration led by companies will have an allocation of 470 million euros taken on the research agenda of the EU over the next six years, the private sector to generate an amount similar. At the same meeting, ministers will review the strategic plan for energy technology, which refers to the aforementioned initiative as an example for future action at European level to develop new energy technologies

Acknowledgment:

http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/nn/nn_pu/hyways/article_0001_en.htm

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