The European Regions and Municipalities gathered together on April 14, 2008 in Brussels to join their efforts in fostering the deployment and uptake of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Europe. HyRaMP seeks to contribute positively to carbon dioxide emissions reduction, environment protection as well as economic and jobs growth through the introduction of novel technologies, the harmonization of initiatives/activities and the establishment of new opportunities in an environment friendly and sustainable manner.

HyRaMP’s mission is to provide the European Regions and Municipalities with a representative body that can be coherent, distinguishable and influential towards the
European FCH JTI and all relevant stakeholders and decision makers at both public and private level. The Partnership allows its Members to play a key role in the implementation of strategies that aim for the uptake of FCH technologies and particularly that of the FCH JTI.

Hydrogen, as an energy vector and fuel cells, as highly efficient energy systems, are widely seen as important components of a new global energy and transport system that will substitute the current fossil fuel based infrastructures with a sustainable, secure and competitive alternative. The role of Regions and Municipalities will be crucial to facilitate the large scale hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration projects foreseen under the FCH JTI, to develop local industry chains and to involve SME’s to pave the way for a commercial market and a role of European businesses as market leader.

HyRaMP is cooperating with the EU Roads2HyCom and Hylights projects to organise a Workshop on “Regional Development and Hydrogen Projects” on May 29, 2008 in Brussels. Bringing together as active members 14 national associations (BE, CH, DE, ES, F, H, IT, LV, N, NL , PT, PL, SE, UK) and the main hydrogen infrastructure development companies (Acciona Biocombustibles S.A., Ajusa, Air Liquide, Air Products, the Linde Group, StatoilHydro, Shell Hydrogen), the EHA is actively promoting the integration of hydrogen applications in the EU’s and national transport and energy policy.

The EHA will be present at the 16th H2 and FC Group Exhibit (Hall 13) at the Hannover Fair, April 21-25, 2008 where the EHA is co-organizing a session on April 23 to present the European Handbook on Hydrogen Refuelling Stations, developed by the EU project HyApproval, the Handbook for Stationary Fuel Cell Systems, by the EU HYPER project and a training manual developed by the EU H2 Training project.