WRITTEN QUESTION E-3969/00 by Malcolm Harbour (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Energy from hydrogen.
Date: 2000-12-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, energy policy, fossil fuel, hydrogen, motor fuel, research and development, security of supply

C 235 E/40

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

(2001/C 235 E/044)

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 Non-Nuclear Energy
The Fifth framwork programme (FP5), concentrates an important part of
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
larger projects are also addressing key aspects of the vehicles and hydrogen
cell drivelines. Several
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.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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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.

(2001/C 235 E/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3993/00

by Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Complaints and individual exemptions forwarded by the Verband innovativer Kfz-Unternehmer
(Association of Innovative Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Trade

und Handelsvertreter e.V.
Representatives) to the Commission

On 13 January 2000, the (cid:145)Verband innovativer Kfz-Unternehmer und Handelsvertreter e.V.(cid:146) (Association of
Innovative Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Trade Representatives)
(abbr. VIKH) called for several
individual exemptions, or negative clearances, for a series of contracts, including authorisation documenta-
tion for (a) a system of establishment by various car manufacturers; (b) Aral AG contracts with petrol
station leaseholders; (c) refusal of membership of the Federal Employment Office; and (d) an insurance
contract with the DBV-Versicherung insurance company.

On 16 October 2000 the VIKH forwarded several complaints to the Commission:

1. VIKH v. Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in the Platte/Mazda Case (cid:129) breach of Decision 75/73/EEC

and Article 81(3) of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

2. VIKH v. FRG in the Blei/Ulrich Case (cid:129) prohibited double payment;

3. VIKH v. FRG in the Blei/Sparkasse H(cid:252)ckeswagen Case (cid:129) breach of regulation to prevent abuse;

4. VIKH v. FRG in the Blei/GEMA Case (cid:129) breach of regulation to prevent abuse;

5. VIKH v. FRG in the Blei/GEZ Case (cid:129) prohibited double payment.

In a fax sent on 26 October 2000 (4.08 p.m.), without providing clarification as to which matters it was
referring to, the Commission stated that it was not in a position to follow up any of the above-mentioned
complaints. All the cases mentioned are connected in so far as the Commission has been accused of failing
to take action regarding the call for documentation and concerning the suspected breaches of European
law.

1. What are the reasons for the Commission(cid:146)s failure to deal with the above individual exemptions and
negative clearances which according to Article 81(3) come under its exclusive jurisdiction? Why does the
Commission refuse to follow up the VIKH(cid:146)s complaints?

2. What position does the Commission take concerning the accusations made in the VIKH(cid:146)s complaints
with regard to the violation of EU competition regulations by firms and institutions in Germany?

3.
If it is the Commission(cid:146)s view that these matters come under the sole jurisdiction of the Member
State, what criteria do the proposals or complaints have to meet in order for the Commission to take them
into account and consider applying further measures?