The Norwegian
plan to establish "The Hydrogen Road" from Stavanger to Oslo in 2009 is
now extended to include a plan for a Scandinavian network of hydrogen stations
– which aims to establish a network of hydrogen stations across the south-west
of Scandinavia by 2012.
"Hydrogen fuelled vehicles, with
nothing but water coming out of the exhaust pipe, will be on Scandinavian
roads by 2012," said Ulf Hafseld, Project Manager of HyNor and Business
Development Manager, Norsk Hydro.
The newly-formed Scandinavian Hydrogen
Highway Partnership (SHPP), which comprises the three hydrogen networking
bodies HyNor (Norway), Hydrogen Link (Denmark) and HyFuture (Sweden) recently
had its inaugural meeting in Copenhagen.
The three organisations each represent
a network of actors from industry, local government, universities and other
organisations in their respective countries.
SHHP's vision is to make the Scandinavian
region one of the first regions in Europe where hydrogen is commercially
available and used in a network of refuelling stations.
CEREMONY: Ulf Hafseld, responsible
for business development for Hydro's hydrogen projects, at a foundation
stone-laying ceremony for the hydrogen station on 31 May 2006 at Herøya.
(Photo: Gisle Nomme)
The formation of the partnership
is a move to strengthen the ability of Scandinavian entrepreneurs and enterprises
to take advantage of this emerging technology, as well as to contribute
to attaining a more sustainable society.
The newly-formed partnership also
took the opportunity to declare its intention to qualify as one of the
European Commission’s Hydrogen Lighthouse Projects.
These super-sized demonstration projects
are planned to be cornerstones in the EC-strategy for preparing the market
for hydrogen as an energy carrier, in particular as vehicle fuel.
Scandinavia is in a strong position
to add value and play an active part in implementing this strategy.
“In light of the European Commission’s
significant commitment to hydrogen, the time has come for Scandinavia to
face up to the challenge of gradually introducing the zero-emission transport
systems of tomorrow,” said Hafseld.
The initial focus will be on the
south/south East of Norway, the Swedish west coast and Denmark, however
it is expected that additional regions in Scandinavia will be included
as the partnership evolves.
Strategic alliances will be established
with other international regions, countries and initiatives.
Additional information on
the Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership
Foundation stone laid for
Hydro's first hydrogen station in Norway (2006-05-31)
About HyNor (Norway)
HyNor is a unique Norwegian joint
public/private partnership initiative to demonstrate real life implementation
of hydrogen energy infrastructure along a route of 580 km from Oslo to
Stavanger during the years 2005 to 2009.
The project comprises all steps required
to develop a hydrogen infrastructure and includes various hydrogen production
technologies and uses of hydrogen, in all cases with an adaptation to local
conditions.
The overall objectives of the HyNor
project are to demonstrate the commercial viability of hydrogen energy
production, hydrogen’s use in the transportation sector, and the development
of a hydrogen infrastructure.
Additional information on HyNor
About Hydrogen Link (Denmark)
Hydrogen Link is Denmark’s network
platform for research, development and demonstration of hydrogen technologies
for transportation.
The Hydrogen Link network is to initiate
and coordinate the development of a Danish infrastructure of hydrogen filling
stations and a widespread use of fuel cell vehicles, beginning with vehicles
for internal transportation and in the long term vehicles for road transport.
Additional information on Hydrogen
Link
About HyFuture (Sweden)
With the mission of facilitating
the introduction of hydrogen as an energy carrier in Sweden, HyFuture is
coordinating a collaborating network of more than 100 organisations representing
industry, SMEs, academia, NGOs as well as local, regional and national
authorities.
As a non-profit organisation, HyFuture
is adding value to the Swedish hydrogen innovation system through market
and technology surveys, information activities, networking events, think
tanks and the participation in pre-studies and demonstration projects.
The HyFuture initiative (in Swedish
known as SamVäte i Väst) was started in 2003 by the Region of
Västra Götaland.

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