Page 55 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2018 publication
P. 55
Winter 2018 European Energy Innovation 55
HYDROGEN & FUEL CELLS
Photo: ©René Frampe
greenhouse gas intensive practices limitations of all of these technologies to reaching our climate targets in
can be replaced. Therefore, in order and fuels that we are convinced that specific sectors, such as aviation
to be benefitting from this strong the electrification of the transport and maritime shipping. Achieving
industrial base in the future as well, sector – which is paramount to greenhouse gas reductions in
its use seems essential. reaching our climate targets – will not these will only be possible by using
be possible without hydrogen and synthetic fuels in the long term. It
Since its inception, the focus mainly fuel cells. In our view batteries and is our view that such fuels should
lay on applications in the transport fuel cells complement one another. preferably be put to use here.
sector. We began to build up a The experiences made by market However, an economically viable
basic network of refuelling stations, actors and the exchange with our application necessitates economies
connected the key players of the international partners, some of which of scale and it is unclear whether
sector to enable an exchange of have advanced further in electrifying these can be reached in aviation
knowledge in a pre-competitive transport than we did, corroborate and maritime shipping. In order
setting. Consequently, we are setting our approach. to economically produce green
the conditions for market ramp-up hydrogen, changes in the regulatory
and counteract market failure. In particular, for large applications – framework also become necessary.
also in road transport – electrification
In the meantime, our range of tasks using hydrogen is key. Frequently- Positive developments emerge
has expanded and also comprises made arguments based on efficiency primarily from the European arena.
battery-electric mobility, the build- do not apply to larger and therefore The recent adoption of the Recast
up of charging infrastructure as well heavier vehicles. Furthermore, of the Renewable Energy Directive
as various gaseous and liquid fuels we still see a lot of potential for will potentially create a boost for the
across all modes of transport. It is further efficiency gains with regard sector. For example, incentivizing
against the backdrop of our wide to electrolyzers and fuel cells. the use of green hydrogen in the
range of experiences and profound Notwithstanding, hydrogen and fuel production of conventional fuels
insights into the opportunities and cell applications remain imperative makes us hope for economies of
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