AP2H2

AP2H2

Portuguese Association for the Promotion of Hydrogen

AP2H2 was established in 2003, in a context where the enormous potential of hydrogen, while an energy source compatible with the of sustainable development goals, affirms itself as the alternative vector to conventional fuels.

The Association, in which C3P participates, favors the engagement of companies and institutions that cover, in their activities, the implementation of hydrogen as a new energy vector.

3^rd International Seminar of Torres Vedras

“Hydrogen, Energy and Sustainability”

The 3^rd International Seminar of Torres Vedras “Hydrogen, Energy and Sustainability” was held on April 29-30, 2010, in which, similar to other years, C3P also participated. The Seminar accomplished its goals having served as a forum for information and debate on: 

·         Ongoing projects carried out in several different countries associated with experimentation and demonstration of hydrogen technologies for mobility and cogeneration; 

·         Evaluation of competitiveness potential of Hydrogen technologies within the scope on the National Strategy for Energy, ENE2020;

·         Scientific and technological research in Portugal related to the use of Hydrogen as an energy vector;

·         Presentation of platforms for setting up projects and funding mechanisms (national and European), available to interested parties;

The event had a relevant framework of international experiences with contributions from Brazil, Spain, Greece, France, Holland and Belgium.

This Seminar marks the final phase for the affirmation of Hydrogen in national agendas: ENE2020 opened opportunities for these technologies to demonstrate their applicability in making a new energetic model more viable through the optimized and maximized use of renewable energies.

It is the starting point for a new phase which, accepting the implicit challenges of ENE2020, has the goal of contributing to optimize and maximize national added value to the emerging economy of Hydrogen on the global market.

On the afternoon of April 30^th, the Seminar included a Workshop on “Advances in Fuel cells and Hydrogen” which gathered a total of 22 contributions, 8 oral presentations and 14 posters. The Workshop’s international participation was led by Prof. Paul Lucchese, CEA France as Chairperson of the N.ERGHY Group (hydrogen fuel cells), by Prof. Marcelo Linardi of IPEN, Brazil, and J. Calderón of the University of Laguna, Tenerife. The Workshop provided substantial information and discussion on the role of research in Europe and Brazil, advancements in demonstration technologies, creation of programs and roadmaps targeting the first markets, and implementation plans for 2030-2050.

The topics covered results of new catalyzer materials and supports for low and high temperature fuel cells; use of new ionic liquids for catalyzer synthesis and for coatings; degradation mechanisms of membrane fuel cells and of ion-lithium batteries cathods, and issues related to durability and reliability of conversion devices; hydrogen production and storage based on chemical and metallic hydrets in pressurized reactors; membranes for hydrogen separation and purification; characterization of stacks up to 1kW; development of stacks and energy systems for low power, portable and mobile applications; autonomous system management using renewable hydrogen.

 Based on the dynamics generated and reinforced by this Seminar, the following actions shall be pursued in the short to medium term, namely promotion of the 2011 First Ibero-American Meeting on Hydrogen Economy/4^th International Seminar of Torres Vedras.

 This initiative has already been signed on by AP2H2, the Municipality of Torres Vedras, and C3P in Portugal, as well as the Fundación Aragon para el Hidrogeno from Spain and the Unidade de Células de Combustível do Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN) in Brazil. It is intended that this event occur every 2 years, with the first one being held in Torres Vedras.

 Continued promotion and support will be given to the “Hydrogen Case”, competitiveness analysis of the H2 technology in 2020 and 2030. Some preliminary work related to mobility, microgeneration and macroeconomic impacts was already the subject of presentations at this Seminar.

 This analysis must be sustained by widespread and systematic “state of the art” work on the main technologies whose maturity and reliability in 2020 and 2030 will lead to technically viable and economically feasible solutions. The analysis should use transition solutions, as discussed at the Seminar, such as Internal Combustion Engine with Hydrogen or Ammonia as fuel.

 Cooperation is expected to be established with the official entities in charge of planning renewable energies within the 2020, 2030 and 2050 time horizons. The goal is to provide this study with updated and credible information on the Hydrogen technologies to be taken into account throughout the ongoing remodeling process.

 Establishment of a Hydrogen Road Map finalizes this process, where compatibility with EU strategies and plans in this domain are integrated.

Mobilizing projects will be developed giving priority to Education and Professional Training, in addition to support provided to the Torres Vedras Technological Platform. This Platform focuses on Renewable Energies, where Hydrogen economy and technologies are significant. The Platform is integrated in the ECOS application already approved by QREN and includes the following initiatives:

             a. Experimentation, Demonstration and Testing Center for new energetic solutions that contribute to the competitiveness of renewable energies;

             b. Training and Post-graduate support Center whose activity is articulated with the Experimentation Center referred in item a., and open to the entire SCTN;

             c. Pilot-project of a renewable energy power plant, with a component associated to Hydrogen storage and other technologies justified by their maturity and reliability in order to manage the intermittencies and randomness related to these forms of energy;

             d. Community awareness projects and demonstration of Hydrogen technologies and their potential contribution for specialization in the area of energy technologies.