Loyola de Palacio

November 19, 2003
No. 71/03

Tomorrow in Washington, DC, the United States and the European Union will commit themselves to an International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE). EU Commission Vice President Loyola de Palacio, responsible for Transport and Energy Policy, will attend the inaugural meeting and signing ceremony to be hosted by US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. This ground-breaking international research and development initiative will foster the research, development, demonstration and deployment of hydrogen production, storage, delivery, distribution and application technologies such as fuel cells. This Partnership builds on the joint commitment made by Presidents Bush and Prodi at the last in EU-US Summit in June to cooperate in accelerating the development of the hydrogen economy. 

Advisory

On Thursday, November 20, at RFK Memorial Stadium, Commissioner de Palacio will join Secretary Abraham and Ministers from participating countries in a test-drive of the latest fuel cell hydrogen concept cars. The ride and drive will be conducted on the Washington Grand Prix track of RFK Memorial Stadium (parking lot #7) from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Credentials will be required to enter the ride and drive site. To request media credentials, media should visit the official website of the IPHE at www.usea.org/iphe.htm or contact Albert Doub of the United States Energy Association at (202) 312-1230. Media Contact: Corry Schiermeyer, 202/586-5806. 

On Friday, November 21, at 12.30 p.m., Vice President de Palacio will brief the press on the broader transatlantic transport and energy agenda. The briefing will take place at the European Commission’s Washington Delegation, 2300 M Street, NW. Members of the Press are invited to attend.

Background

This new international partnership will provide a global forum for exchanging information and for deepening understanding between nations of their future economic aspirations, energy requirements, their environmental aims and the role that hydrogen can play in mitigating the negative environmental impacts of energy consumption. Together with established international agreements and bodies for hydrogen collaboration, the IPHE should help identify and resolve global issues—both technical and commercial—that could inhibit the widespread implementation of hydrogen to the benefit of the global community.  

The EU is leading the way in developing cost–competitive, environmentally performing world class hydrogen and fuel cell based energy systems and component technologies for applications in transport, stationary and portable power. It has already embarked on a number of significant initiatives aimed at ensuring Europe becomes world-class competitor.  

The European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform, a major initiative involving the main stakeholders in research, development and deployment, and associating public and private entities, will be launched in January 2004. The Platform will stimulate and focus EU efforts to develop the technologies and transition strategies needed to introduce hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. It will set the goals and mechanics for integrating European activities and accelerate the path towards the Hydrogen economy. 

The European Commission is also supporting efforts to overcome the barriers to high costs, production, distribution, storage and use of hydrogen as an energy carrier, financing over 70 research and development projects such as CUTE (Clean Urban Transport for Europe) and operating a fleet of 30 hydrogen-fuelled fuel cell buses in 10 European cities.  

The European Commission will be joined by four EU member states, Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom in entering this Partnership.