Commissioner Vice-President Loyola de Palacio, in charge of Transport and Energy policy, added: "I am looking for new and original ways to reduce the European Union's dependence on oil while at the same time contributing to sustainable development. Hydrogen and fuel cells offer such a possibility and they can contribute significantly to our policy objective of replacing 20% of automotive fuel with alternative fuels by 2020. In addition, hydrogen brings important opportunities for the distribution of sustainable energy (e.g. renewables) and for decentralised power generation."
EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin said: "To meet the stringent Kyoto Protocol targets, the EU will increase the use of renewable energy sources and substitute fuels including hydrogen. Today, hydrogen and fuel cells are too expensive, that is why we need a consistent approach at a European level. By bringing industrialists, researchers, users and policy makers together, we aim to help build consensus and ensure Europe is leading the drive towards sustainable energy."
Towards a hydrogen-based economy
Global demand for electricity is expected to double by 2015. Hydrogen will eventually contribute substantially to clean transport and power generation: its only emission is water vapour. But to enable us to move from today's largely fossil fuel based energy economy to a more hydrogen-based one we need more research, know-how and investment. The HLG will assess progress so far and help devise short-term actions to introduce hydrogen to the market and prepare a long-term hydrogen and fuel cell strategy at EU level.
EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin said: "To meet the stringent Kyoto Protocol targets, the EU will increase the use of renewable energy sources and substitute fuels including hydrogen. Today, hydrogen and fuel cells are too expensive, that is why we need a consistent approach at a European level. By bringing industrialists, researchers, users and policy makers together, we aim to help build consensus and ensure Europe is leading the drive towards sustainable energy."
Towards a hydrogen-based economy
Global demand for electricity is expected to double by 2015. Hydrogen will eventually contribute substantially to clean transport and power generation: its only emission is water vapour. But to enable us to move from today's largely fossil fuel based energy economy to a more hydrogen-based one we need more research, know-how and investment. The HLG will assess progress so far and help devise short-term actions to introduce hydrogen to the market and prepare a long-term hydrogen and fuel cell strategy at EU level.