Green hydrogen produced with renewable energy is high on the policy agenda due to its potential to decarbonise those sectors of the economy that are hard to electrify, in line with Europe’s obligations to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Hydrogen can be stored, making it perfect for balancing out intermittent renewable energies, and it can also be transported over long distances. However, much more needs to be done to advance technologies along the entire value chain (from production, storage, and transportation to end-use) and make hydrogen both sustainable and cost-efficient.
Public authorities can play an active role in the development of the hydrogen industry by:
bringing together stakeholders,
supporting training and awareness raising,
co-funding pilot projects,
creating enabling frameworks and strategies.
Regions that make an early move position themselves well to be frontrunners in future, and be in a position to export hydrogen, technology, and know-how. This is especially true for regions which are already frontrunners in renewable energies, which are needed for green hydrogen production.
In this policy brief, explore policy recommendations, using the experience of Interreg Europe projects to inspire policymakers to develop policies for promoting the hydrogen industry.
Methodology to create a Regional Hydrogen Master Plan
Hydrogen Master Plan is an initiative supported by the Government of Aragon with the aim of promoting research and innovation of hydrogen in the Aragon region.
Aberdeen City Council helped to establish the North East Scotland Hydrogen Ambition Committee and plays a key role in coordinating and facilitating this group.
An Italian hydrogen-based industrial value chain for a sustainable mobility system in Valcamonica
H2iseO Hydrogen Valley is a project implemented by FNM, FERROVIENORD and Trenord, the Lombardy Region LPT providers for railway passenger transport, which aim to decarbonise public transport services...
In Ostrava, there is a strong political will to create a city and a region of clean industry and living. The city is part of a hydrogen network of stakeholders.
An enterprise in the Kronoberg county has been granted funds from a national funding scheme “Climate Leap programme” for production and sales of green hydrogen.