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Hydrogen technology curriculum development and strengthening of training courses

Hydrogen Europe Research held its general meeting in Budapest

On 14 May 2024, national hydrogen associations from across Europe gathered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to strengthen their cooperation in the deployment of hydrogen technologies. The outcome of the meeting was the signature of a Cooperation Charter for European Associations Advancing Clean Hydrogen, which will guide the joint efforts to establish favourable conditions for European leadership in hydrogen technologies.  The priority topic of the discussion was the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive The European Hydrogen Associations Assembly, organised by Hydrogen Europe and co-hosted by NLHydrogen, counted with the participation of 23 national associations , including the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association. The Hungarian association was represented by Zoltán Butsi, general secretary. The key topic of the discussion was the transposition of the Renewable Energy Directive and how to ensure the development of enabling regulation in different Member States of the EU. The event counted with a keynote speech from Karlo van Dam, Director of Sustainable Industry at the Dutch Ministry of Economics and Climate.  Recognising the strategic role of national associations for the development of favourable national legal frameworks and the importance of the upcoming European Parliament elections, the event and the Charter mark a significant milestone in the implementation of a unified European approach. Through the signed document, the associations commit to work together towards their common goals, via actions to promote hydrogen technologies deployment, de-risking of investments and the development of capacity building efforts.  “The Cooperation Charter for European Associations Advancing Clean Hydrogen – signed here today with more than 20 national hydrogen associations – is an expression of our commitment to working together in the coming years to facilitate hydrogen deployment at national levels”, says Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe.  “It is a very anticipated event, recognising the role of our hydrogen associations in supporting their governments and industry in the challenging task of transposing sector defining legislation and targets at national level, such as RED III.”  Key principles in the Cooperation Charter for European Associations Advancing Clean Hydrogen:    Advocating for comprehensive policy backing for hydrogen technologies at national, regional, and European levels;  Working together to establish thriving clean hydrogen markets and skills development, based on a technology open approach;  Supporting the effective integration of EU legislation into national frameworks, fostering harmonisation across Europe;  Sharing best practices through participation in national and European events organised by fellow associations, and actively participating in the European Hydrogen Week;  Establishing alliances with national chambers of commerce and other relevant organisations to advocate for hydrogen as a crucial tool for reducing carbon emissions. 

On the proposal of the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association, V4 Hydrogen Bank may be established.

A cooperation agreement was signed by the Ukrainian Hydrogen Council and Energy Association and the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association. The memorandum expresses the intention to cooperate in several areas for the development of the hydrogen economy. The agreement expresses the intention to cooperate in such important areas as the exchange of scientific ideas and expertise, the support of unique projects and their preparation, the generation of cross-border applications and projects, cooperation in cross-border regulation or the mapping and launching of commercial opportunities related to hydrogen technology. The agreement was signed by Polina Kazakevych, president of the Ukrainian Hydrogen Council and Energy Association, and Csaba Vigassy, executive director of the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association, during the Budapest Hydrogen Summit conference (April 10, 2024).

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis from Hungary, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, came at the invitation of the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association. During the two-day stay, the Association organized professional meetings, at which the head of Hydrogen Europe met with large company leaders, as well as the state secretary and deputy state secretary of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of National Economy, and gave a welcome speech at the Budapest Hydrogen Summit, the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association was also a partner. At the event, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, proposed three goals for the upcoming Hungarian EU presidency: the definition of green hydrogen, the definition of low-carbon hydrogen and a multifaceted technological focus. He announced that the updated Hydrogen package will be issued by the EU next week. At the event, István Lepsényi of the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association said that market players in Hungary recognized renewable energy, including the technological importance of hydrogen. He added, „it can be felt that the demand for the Association is getting stronger and stronger, that we provide market participants with suitable alternatives, the most internationally developed solutions and the professional relationships associated with these solutions.” Attila Steiner, State Secretary for Energy and Climate Affairs of the Ministry of Energy, opened the conference, emphasizing that Hungary is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Hungary’s political objectives have three main directions; on the one hand, reducing the demand for natural gas, on the other hand, replacing natural gas with other gases, in which hydrogen has a definite role, and thirdly, electrification, which means that the energy is produced locally. The meeting of large companies organized by the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association, among others MOL, MVM, Linde, BOSCH, MÁV, MFGSZ, management meetings on the European hydrogen strategy and development goals with the head of the European Association.  

Hungary and the eight states of the region cooperate for the development of the hydrogen sector

The Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association agreed with the professional representatives of the V4 countries, their associations, and domestic and international companies on regional economic cooperation aimed at the joint production of the equipment necessary for the production of hydrogen. The parties agreed to launch joint projects, participate in joint tenders and encourage regional cooperation in the area with their own resources. 15 companies, 5 research institutes, 7 associations and 4 ministries from the V4 countries were represented at the event organized on regional economic cooperation aimed at the joint production of equipment for the production of hydrogen. At the professional consultation held as a side event of the HYDROGEN OPEN 2024 international conference, the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association undertook to set up an industrial and technological database in cooperation with the V4 partner organizations, as well as to create a cooperation-generating virtual platform that helps companies in the region find the suitable partner, as well as to insert their own manufacturing capabilities into existing initiatives.A new market, a new industry is emerging, the most important building blocks of which can currently only be obtained from Western Europe or overseas. The initiative launched by the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association aims to change this by bringing together the companies and research workshops of the V4 member countries who have the appropriate ability and intention to participate in the future with the help of the hydrogen associations and relevant ministries of the V4 member countries. in building its industry.Electrolyzers and their components are not only indispensable for the availability of a sufficient amount of hydrogen in the „green” transition to clean energy, but they will also represent significant market potential in the future. A key question is, when hydrogen trucks and hydrogen-powered railway trains and ships will be operating in Europe, which companies will manufacture the electrolyzing equipment that – using the water splitting method – will provide the appropriate amount of hydrogen. The Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association advocates joint action in several areas. Significant EU funds have appeared to help the rise of hydrogen technology, but the distribution of these subsidies cannot be called equal. The results of the IPCEI-Hydrogen support schemes created by the European Union are depressing. Out of a total of 10.6 billion euros in support, Western European multinational companies typically won, a total of 64. The number of Hungarian winning companies eligible for IPCEI-based support was 0, but the number of V4 winning companies was also only 3, which is 5% of the winners.In December 2023, at the last V4 hydrogen technology consultation in Prague, the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association initiated the launch of a new hydrogen technology tender (wave) and the cooperation of the V4 countries in this direction. In connection with this, there was a request from the countries present to create an event coordinating the production of electrolyzers and their components. The Hydrogen Open 2024 international conference organized by the Association provided an excellent venue for this.At the event, the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association suggested that the Hungarian EU presidency highlight among its goals the stimulation of V4 and regional cooperation in the development of the hydrogen economy, the first step of which is the creation of V4 electrolyzer and component manufacturing capacity.

The 4th Hydrogen Dialog – conference and hydrogen technology exhibition brought together German and international decision-makers, experts and companies at the forefront of hydrogen technology development December 6-8, 2023. between in Nuremberg. Thanks to the participation of the Consulate General in Munich, KKM, ÉM, the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association (MHTSZ) and the German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DUIHK), Hungary was represented in a special program at the event.