Danish Strategy for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells - HY-CO Home

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4. International Perspective The development of new hydrogen and fuel cell technologies requires considerable resources and is the subject of much competition at a global level. It is becoming increasingly important for Danish R&D institutions and enterprises to become part of a network including leading public and private knowledge environments abroad. In an international context, it is particularly important to collaborate in areas where Denmark has special competencies. At the same time, it is necessary to import and develop relevant knowledge that Danish players have difficulty acquiring on their own. Overall, networking will benefit both the Danish energy sector and the Danish labour market. Key international players The United States, Japan and Canada in particular have invested large amounts in recent years in R&D of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. In 2003, the US government launched the so-called FreedomCar initiative to find a hydrogen technology solution to a reliable energy supply and a reduction of greenhouse gas emission. The federal government intends to invest DKK 7 billion over a 5-year period in hydrogen research, development and demonstration. Most of the money will be spent on R&D and approximately 13% on demonstrations. 11 Internationally, the USA took the initiative in 2003 to form the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) followed by the International Partnership for Hydrogen Economy (IPHE). In Japan, public investments on R&D of fuel cells and hydrogen amount to approximately DKK 1.6 billion per year. In 2003, demonstration accounted for 23% of the public funds. R&D in fuel cells commenced in the early 1980s and has since been supplemented by the so-called WENET programme (International Clean Energy Network Using Hydrogen Conversion) and demonstrations of hydrogen cars, filling stations and stationary fuel cells. For many years, Canada has invested in the development of fuel cell technologies, in particular. Until recently, funds were mainly allocated to R&D, but a national programme was recently introduced which, in addition to R&D, also comprises the development of a hydrogen infrastructure and the marketing of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. Canada’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Committee was established in 2003. The Committee is a partnership between public institutions, industry and research institutions and is responsible for facilitating and coordinating the investments. The total public investment amounts to approximately DKK 330 million per year. Since 1995, Germany has primarily focused on R&D in fuel cells for stationary use and transport. Several local governments, including Bavaria and North Rhine- 11 Robert F. Service. Toward a Hydrogen Economy. Science Vol. 305 13 August 2004. 17
Westphalia, have established their own R&D programmes for hydrogen and fuel cells. Clean Energy Partnership is a partnership between large car manufacturers and public institutions about the development and demonstration of hydrogen in the transport sector. 70% of all European fuel cell demonstrations take place in Germany. The work of the EU within hydrogen and fuel cell technologies has mainly focused on research programmes. The funds allocated have increased over the years, and it is expected that they will amount to approximately DKK 2 billion for the 6th framework programme (2003-2006). The European Commission has recently taken another step towards the hydrogen economy by introducing two Quick-Start programmes under the Growth Initiative – Hypogen and HyCom. The initiatives are expected to involve a combined public/private investment of DKK 21 billion over a 10-year period for large-scale hydrogen production and the creation of a small number of hydrogen societies around Europe. A common feature of many international activities is a desire to create synergy between various programmes and activities ranging from basic research to applied research and demonstrations. This synergy is created by means of strategy processes with the participation of a broad range of public authorities, research institutions and industry and through public/private partnerships in R&D projects and demonstrations requiring extensive resources. Finally, there is also a desire for international co-operation and coordination in areas requiring vast resources as well as regarding standardisation and safety. International co-operation projects with Danish participation As far as past international co-operation projects are concerned, Danish R&D institutions and companies are well represented in the EU framework programmes involving R&D of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Danish players were included in 9 out of 43 fuel cell projects under the 5th framework programme. Under the 6th framework programme, Danish players are represented in 5 out of 12 fuel cell projects and in 6 out of 18 hydrogen projects. In addition, Nordic Energy Research subsidises joint Nordic R&D projects within bio-hydrogen, electrolysis, metal hydrides and hydrogen storage as well as a fuel cell network and a foresight project. Danish companies and research institutions are represented in all these projects. Danish companies are also actively involved in strategic collaboration and networks at both Nordic and European level. Danish Haldor Topsøe has for instance commenced strategic collaboration with Finnish Wärtsilä regarding the development and use of high-temperature fuel cells. IRD Fuel Cells is a partner in the European Fuel Cell Group, and Danish Danfoss has invested more than DKK 30 million in Conduit Ventures Limited ("CVL"), the first European venture investor in fuel cells and related hydrogen technologies. 18
Page 2 and 3: Preface In January 2004, the Danish
Page 4 and 5: Abbreviations AKF DTU EFP R&D GW H
Page 6 and 7: The present report was produced by
Page 8 and 9: 1. Introduction Across the globe, m
Page 10 and 11: 2. Goals and Means The overall and
Page 12 and 13: other uses. Wind power based electr
Page 14 and 15: distribution is concerned, the exis
Page 16 and 17: Table 2. Visions for the developmen
Page 20 and 21: International co-operation forums w
Page 22 and 23: 5. Danish Focus on Hydrogen Technol
Page 24 and 25: 6. Implementation Effective technol
Page 26 and 27: Organisational framework The strate
Page 28 and 29: • to establish and maintain the g
Page 30 and 31: • the level of activity described
Page 32 and 33: Ole Bilde, Consultant, Elkraft Syst

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