WRITTEN QUESTION E-3969/00

by Malcolm Harbour (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 December 2000)

Subject: Energy from hydrogen

What steps is the Commission taking to promote the introduction of hydrogen as a future transport fuel, given the potential environmental benefits? Is the Commission considering the promotion of EU-funded research into hydrogen production methods, including nuclear reaction processes?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2001)

As the Honourable Member quite correctly points out the use of hydrogen as a transport fuel might offer environmental benefits as well as contribute to the security of energy supply. The Commission recognises that hydrogen could offer such benefits, however the magnitude of those largely depends on how the hydrogen is produced, distributed, stored and used.

Today, 96 % of hydrogen in the world is produced from fossil fuels also producing carbon dioxide and pollutants, and 4 % from water decomposition that is very expensive. The distribution and re-fuelling infrastructure is also a key issue for any kind of alternative fuel mainly for vehicles moving long distances. Hydrogen may be used directly in combustion engines or fuel cells, which are very promising efficient converters delivering clean energy.

The Fifth framwork programme (FP5), concentrates an important part of the Non-Nuclear Energy Programme (Energie) on support to Research and technological development (RTD) of hydrogen especially in combination with the use of fuel cells. Until now, the Community support under the FP5 has already provided 59 million for fuel cells, fuel processors, hydrogen storage, hydrogen fuelled vehicles and fuel cell drivelines. Several larger projects are also addressing key aspects of the vehicles and hydrogen production, distribution and refuelling, aiming also at delivering real data in commercial operation on energy efficiency and pollution. In these projects, different processes and primary energy sources are used for hydrogen production from renewable energies, fossil fuels, wastes or by-product fuels. Progress is being made in the area of standards, regulations and safety of hydrogen vehicles, and the Community is already supporting pre-normative RTD for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

The Energie programme continues to actively support RTD efforts in such areas as fuel cells and hydrogen technologies as well as socio-economic studies, pre-normative research to develop standards and safety norms, and training. The action addresses fuel cells, reformers and hydrogen technologies aiming at a cost reduction with lower carbone dioxide (CO2) and pollutant emissions. RTD also addresses components, systems, multifuel capability and fuel flexibility. For transport, the fuel choice is addressed focusing on cost, emissions, safety and re-fuelling infrastructure.

Up to date, there has been no research supported by the Community on producing hydrogen from nuclear energy but the Euratom FP5 is now giving the possibility to sponsor strategy studies and/or thematic networks for the assessment of applications of nuclear heat for hydrogen production.

The Community is also considering the establishment of an Community Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Advisory Group assisting the Community to make RTD in Europe more efficient in the context of a European Research Area. In addition, the Community started discussions with key stakeholders on new fuels including hydrogen. As a result of the green paper on security of energy supply(1), this debate will also be extended to the use of new fuels including hydrogen.

(1) COM(2000) 769 final.