Making Clean Hydrogen Public Transport A Commercial Reality in Europe
Huerth, Brussels - October, 27th 2010
Projektstart im Mediapark Köln (Bild: NHHOTEL)
Making Clean Hydrogen Public Transport A Commercial Reality in Europe
Brussels, Huerth - October, 27th 2010
The Fourth of November 2010, the kick-off ceremony of the Clean Hydrogen in European Cities (CHIC) Project, the essential next step to full market commercialization of hydrogen powered fuel cell (H2FC) buses, will be hosted by the City of Cologne in collaboration with HyCologne and the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) Energie Agentur. The project will facilitate the integration of 26 H2FC buses in daily operations and busroutes in five cities across Europe.
Supported by transport authorities in Aargau (Switzerland), Bolzano (Italy), London (GB), Milan (Italy), and Oslo (Norway) and the EU Joint Undertaking for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH JU), the project is based on a staged introduction and build-up of H2FC bus fleets, the supporting hydrogen refuelling stations and infrastructure. The project will link experienced and new cities in partnerships, allowing for an effective and smooth introduction of the new systems now and into the future. In addition, the project will tie in with similar projects fully funded from other sources, thereby multiplying the impact of the FCH JU program.
The project seeks to leverage the results of previous projects through the involvement of so-called Phase 0 partners in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Whistler (Canada), bringing in their experiences gained from the earlier operation of fuel cell buses in their public transport fleets.
After the successful field-test of first and second generation H2FC buses within the projects CUTE and HyFLEET:CUTE, CHIC moves further ahead with the deployment of the latest generation of fuel cell hybrid buses in preparation for market introduction. The buses will be supplied by Mercedes-Benz Buses, Wright and Van Hool. Beyond, the project will guide 14 additional regions in Europe – the Phase 2 partners – in their first fleet application of H2FC buses in public transport from 2012 onwards in cooperation with the European Regions and Municipalities Partnership for hydrogen and fuel cells (HyRAMP).
Another important part of the project will cover environmental, economic and social assessments regarding the use of hydrogen powered buses.
Hydrogen as an energy carrier, like electricity, can be produced by various primary energy sources, including renewable energy. Fuel cells as electric power systems, using hydrogen as a fuel and emitting only water vapour, will therefore play an important role in the reduction of local air pollutants, as well as in the decarbonization of Europe’s transport system. Fuel cells are able to power larger vehicles such as heavy duty, SUV’s and buses and can offer a considerable operating range.
