Second phase of Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative

A new phase of the first Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH) Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) set up in 2008 will start again next year and continue till 2024.

 

The EU needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its energy and transport sectors. Producing hydrogen using electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind and using fuel cells that convert different kinds of fuel - including hydrogen - into electricity more efficiently could be a step forward. But major technological and infrastructure barriers need to be overcome before their use can be rolled-out on a commercially viable basis.

 

The project will help European high-tech industries developing and producing FCH technologies, as well as those that incorporate them in their products become more competitive, develop new markets and create jobs.

 

Participants will benefit from: better use of Europe's limited public research funds; a more stable and safer investment climate; and better knowledge sharing. In addition, this public private partnership will leverage private investments in the technologies up to at least the same amount as the public funds.

 

The proposed budget is €1.4 billion. The EU expected contribution will be up to €700 million from the Horizon 2020 programme budget. The private contribution of €700 million will consist of both in-kind contributions in calls for proposals activities and of complementary actions implemented in addition to the calls.

 

Specific objectives include:

• Reduce cost of fuel cell systems for transport applications by a factor of 10;

• Increase electrical efficiency of fuel cells for power production by 10%;

• Demonstrate the viability of large scale hydrogen production from electricity generated from renewable energy sources.

 

Market introduction has already been achieved for some early applications such as forklifts and small back-up powerunits. For both energy and transport applications, progress has been achieved notably in the materials performance, durability, and costs reduction for both components and systems of transport and stationary power applications.

 

The first phase (budget €940 million) has already brought together over 1100 participants: 183 research organisations; 387 universities; 111 enterprises excluding 256 SMEs and other organisations.