Summary:
European Union approved a 940 million-euro ($1.5 billion) research initiative to spur the development of hydrogen-powered cars, seeking to reduce air pollution and reliance on imported oil. The program aims to accelerate the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies, allowing "commercial takeoff" between 2010 and 2020. FuelCell Today Newsletter: "More than ever, funding for fuel cells is being made available by governments worldwide. The opportunity to bridge the gap between research into and commercialisation of fuel cell technology has perhaps never been greater." (Published: 02/06/08)
Notes:
- Joint Technology Initiative (JTI)
- 940 million-euro ($1.5 billion) research initiative to spur the development of hydrogen-powered cars
- 50 percent financed by companies including Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and 50 percent funded by the EU over six years
- aims to accelerate the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies, allowing "commercial takeoff" between 2010 and 2020
- Existing market barriers include
- the cost and durability of fuel cells,
- the sustainable production of hydrogen
- the safe distribution and storage of hydrogen.
- The JTI aims to reduce time to market for hydrogen and fuel cells technologies by between 2 and 5 years
- quicker impact on improving energy efficiency, security of supply, pollution, and on improving potential for reducing greenhouse gases
- EU is creating public-private partnerships in research and development to help raise R&D spending to 3 percent of gross domestic product from 1.8 percent and bridge the gap with the U.S. and Japan
- In the UK, the Technology Strategy Board has allocated an indicative amount of £4 million to fund highly innovative collaborative research proposals on components and materials for low impact buildings, something that fuel cells could be a good fit for
- FuelCell Today Newsletter: "More than ever, funding for fuel cells is being made available by governments worldwide. The opportunity to bridge the gap between research into and commercialisation of fuel cell technology has perhaps never been greater."
- See also: JTI website
