HYLIGHTS - A Coordination Action to Prepare European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Projects
Overview
Background & policy context:
The European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Platform identified the importance of joining all the research and demonstration projects in a coordinated, coherent, stable and flexible framework to accelerate the commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cells, mainly in transport in Europe. Two strategically important projects were launched by the European Commission in preparation of this important phase of the transition to hydrogen as fuel and long-term renewable energy carrier. One of them, HyLights, monitors concluded/ongoing demonstration projects and assists the planning of the next demonstration project phase, putting a clear focus on hydrogen in transport.
Objectives:
HyLights was a coordination action that comprised five tasks:
- develop an assessment framework for concluded/ongoing demonstration projects,
- analyse individual projects and establish a project database,
- carry out a gap analysis and prepare a requirement profile for the next stage projects,
- assess and identify necessary financial and legal steps in preparation of the new projects,
- develop a European partnership or interest group named Hydrogen for Transport.
Methodology:
HyLights comprised of 3 phases of 12 months each. Phase I included a methodology definition and assessment, Phase II gap analysis and development of recommendations and Phase III continuous monitoring. HyLights drew from a network of relevant experts. For this purpose a European Partnership for Hydrogen in Transport (EPHT) was established to extend the reach of the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Platform (HFP). An asset of EPHT includes the member states' or regions' view through a moderation process. Dissemination of the project results supplements the activity, coherently presenting the European demonstration projects.
Since its launch in January 2006, HyLights has carried out the following tasks, which, typical for a Coordination Action project, have been adapted to the needs of the relevant stakeholders over time:
- Assessment of concluded/ongoing demonstration projects on hydrogen for transport: Establishment of a web-based interactive and searchable demonstration project database.
- Development of a Monitoring & Assessment Framework (MAF) for the next generation large-scale demonstration projects on hydrogen for road transport under FP7/JTI: Develop handbooks for project and program level.
- GAPS analysis: Assessment of future fleet operator needs for hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure and input to the requirement profile for the next phase demonstration projects.
- Financial incentives and policy and legal frameworks to support the large-scale commercialization of HFC road transport technology: Assessment and identification of necessary structures in the early demonstration phase and its smooth transition to a future hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle market.
- Legal form and management structure of future demonstration projects: Identification and evaluation of the issues. Provision of initial analysis on the advantages/disadvantages of specific legal forms and management structures (IPRs, State Aid, Safety & Risk Management, Financial and Third Party Liability).
- Assessment of policy support options and needs for hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen supply including infrastructure: Consideration of regional framework conditions throughout Europe. Other similar fields of application and challenges (introduction of renewable energies) and other international approaches were analysed for valuable input.
- Regions’ activities and eligibility: Assessment of status quo
Share this page