HY-CO Vision

To be the driving force for public research programmes and to initiate joint co-ordinated programmes in hydrogen and fuel cell technology in Europe .

HY-CO Mission

To provide the basis and set up a durable ERA-NET for the implementation of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in Europe .

HY-CO Objectives

The goal of the project "HY-CO" is to network and integrate the national R&D activities by establishing a durable European Research Area (ERA-NET) in the area of hydrogen and fuel cells.

The main objectives are:

• offer a common platform for information and coordination of programmes and R&D activities at national and regional level;
• establish a common knowledge base for development of a European policy towards a hydrogen economy as the basis for a contribution to a future sustainable energy system;
• strengthen the European R&D and demonstration infrastructure on hydrogen and fuel cells through joint programming, management personnel exchange and targeted integration activities;
• promote and develop a strong and coherent RTD policy on hydrogen and fuel cells in Europe , and stimulate the “ co-operation and co-ordination of national and regional research and innovation activities ”. The vision behind it is to create an internal market in research and development;
• realise the implementation of durable co-operation with respect to European hydrogen and fuel cells activities. Harmonisation, timing and mutual opening of the programmes and the EC's Framework Programmes are the ultimate goals to aim for.

The final impact of the HY-CO project is to provide the basis and set up a durable ERA-NET for the promotion of hydrogen and fuel cell technology towards a hydrogen economy.

HY-CO is aiming at the following targets to meet these objectives:

• Facilitating the European networking of research programmes carried out at national, regional or local level.
• Achieving a concerted European strategy for international co-operation.
• Linking the governmental and private sector activities on hydrogen and fuel cells.
• Providing an interface with the Member States Mirror Group of the European H2/FC Technology Platform (HFP) and interacting with the HFP Advisory Council.

These targets will be met by setting concrete goals and schedules, defining deliverables and sound management of HY-CO activities, leading to a durable and permanent European coordination and cooperation on hydrogen and fuel cell R&D.

Transnational coordination and international cooperation

European Member States have a longstanding experience in transnational and international cooperation. Examples are particle physics and fusion power technologies which have shown the power of strong European coordination of activities.

With regard to hydrogen and fuel cells technologies, important European coordination actions already exist on a project-by-project basis through the past and actual Framework Programmes. The 5 th Framework Programme authorised 67 European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Projects for the time period 1999 to 2002. The first call of the 6 th Framework Programme resulted in 15 hydrogen and fuel cells projects with a volume of about 90 M€.

To reduce the deficit between the EU and its main competitors, the US and Japan , stronger transnational coordination needs to be implemented. The European Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology Platform (HFP), www.HFPeurope.org , established through the General Assembly in January 2004, is the ambitious instrument to facilitate the development and progressive deployment of (or gradual step-by-step transition to) hydrogen and fuel cells technologies. Europe needs to be a decisive partner in the international arena. The Platform will open up the option of European coordination in international cooperation with the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE), relevant activities of the International Energy Agency, and international activities and projects on codes, standards and regulations for these new, efficient and environment-friendly technologies.

The HY-CO project will support transnational R&D coordination on programme level.

The role of HY-CO

The HY-CO project will bring forward the concept of a European Research Area in the field of hydrogen and fuel cells. This will be achieved through a set of structured and interdependent work packages and a professional management. The cornerstone for a durable cooperation on European level will be laid.

In this organised manner, HY-CO will initiate European level activities, stimulating inter-links between national, regional and international programmes on hydrogen and fuel cells. It will step up the European cooperation and coordination of national and regional research activities.

The objectives of HY-CO are to harmonise programme definitions; in target setting, timing and funding, and ultimately the mutual opening of the national, regional and the European Commission's R,D&D Programmes.