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REPowering the EU with Hydrogen Valleys What is a Hydrogen Valley? A “Hydrogen Valley” is a geographical area where clean hydrogen is produced and locally used by households, local transportation and industrial plants. Hydrogen Valleys are a strong instrument to showcase how the EU hydrogen economy works at local level and includes citizens. Hydrogen Valleys can become interconnected via hydrogen corridors. Hydrogen Valleys can vary in size and scope thus proving to be very flexible in adapting to local energy needs. Some archetypes can be: • Local, small-scale and mobility focused; • Local medium-scale and industry-focused; • International, large-scale and export focused. Why are Hydrogen Valleys important for REPowerEU? • Hydrogen Valleys contribute to the REPowerEU objectives by scaling up green hydrogen production, supply and consequently to meet the growing demand from industry, transport and other sectors. • Hydrogen Valleys contribute to EU energy independence while accelerating the clean energy transition and pursuing the decarbonisation objectives under European Green Deal. The concept of Hydrogen Valleys was initiated by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking and it is now extended further given its success and the potential benefits coming from cross-sectorial utilisation of green hydrogen. 18 May 2022 Hydrogen Valleys in Europe 23 Hydrogen Valleys spread around 10 EU Member States and the United Kingdom. Austria Italy Slovakia Linz Bolzano Kosice Denmark Netherlands Spain Hobro Northern Netherlands Island Mallorca Zuid Holland Basque Country Zeeland France Green Crane Rhône-Alpes Portugal Normandy UK Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Sines industrial hub North West England French Guiana Orkney Islands Romania Germany Constanza Munich Mannheim Heide Hamburg Oldenburg The ambition is to ensure that Hydrogen Valleys will be established in all Member States and to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys. What is the EU R&I currently doing for Hydrogen Valleys? • The EU contributes to the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking with €1 billion from 2021-2027 from the Horizon Europe programme. The Commission has increased the budget with an additional €200 million, following REPowerEU, to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys in Europe. • In order to equip the workforce with the necessary skills, the Commission has recently granted approximately €4 million under the Erasmus+ program to support a long-term partnership between industry and education in order to develop education and training on hydrogen jobs. • The Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking is also providing project development assistance for Hydrogen Valleys and has set up a dedicated global platform for Hydrogen Valleys for exchanges of best practices and match- making activities. • The EU is investing in Hydrogen Valleys through various other funding programmes, including among others Structural Funds and the Connecting Europe Facility. • The Commission is co-leading the Mission Innovation mission on Clean Hydrogen, which aims at reducing the costs of hydrogen globally and designing and deploying at least 100 Hydrogen Valleys world-wide by 2030 to unleash global clean hydrogen. • Europe is today the leading producer of electrolysers for clean hydrogen production, following a contribution of EU R&I investment of €150 million since 2008. Since then, the electrolyser capacity in Europe has been increased with a factor 200, leading to 20 Megawatt per electrolyser today. • The European Green Deal Call, launched under Horizon 2020, includes a topic with a budget of €60 million to even further scale up the electrolyser capacities towards the goal of demonstration and deployment of a 100 MW electrolyser system by 2025. • The Commission is implementing the EU Hydrogen Strategy, adopted in July 2020, aiming to drastically accelerate the development of clean hydrogen. • To accelerate the EU transition to a hydrogen economy, the Commission issued in January 2022 a Staff Working Document on hydrogen highlighting the EU R&I support for implementing the Green Deal hydrogen strategy and contributing to a roadmap of actions. This includes among others developing and implementing a strategic R&I agenda on Green Hydrogen with the EU Member States. © European Union, 2022 Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged and the original meaning or message of the document are not distorted. The European Commission shall not be liable for any consequence stemming from the reuse. The reuse policy of the European Commission documents is implemented by Commission Decision 2011/833/EU of 12 December 2011 on the reuse of Commission documents (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). All images © European Union, unless otherwise stated. Image sources: © FCH 2 JU, 2021. RESEARCH & INNOVATION TO REPower the EU 18 May 2022 Research and Innovation activities are crucial to reach the REPowerEU objectives, accelerating the clean energy transition for a more affordable, secure and sustainable energy by 2030, in line with the European Green Deal objectives. Currently, only half of the technologies necessary to achieve full decarbonisation are ready for the market. R&I activities respond to this need by supporting new and existing technology solutions become market-ready and roll-out full decarbonisation. R&I main contributions to the REPowerEU objectives: Additional Implementation Promoting a solar Supporting an Developing a joint Realising energy €200 million to of a joint strategic energy flagship R&I pillar in the stategic R&I agenda savings in buildings double the Hydrogen R&I agenda on initiative in the next proposed EU Solar on solar energy in through the Valleys in the EU Green Hydrogen Horizon Europe work Photovoltaics the framework of EU Cities Mission in the framework programme Industry Alliance the European of the European Research Area Research Area REPowerEU is our plan for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy. Research and innovation are crucial to increase the resilience and autonomy of our energy system. The Commission will top-up Horizon Europe investments on the Hydrogen Joint Undertaking to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys by 2025 and will support skills through ERASMUS+ and the Joint Undertaking on Clean Hydrogen, with the launch of a large project to develop skills for the hydrogen economy. Mariya Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Research and Innovation The contribution of EU Research & Innovation to the REPowerEU objectives BOOSTING THE HYDROGEN The Commission will co-invest with Member States PRODUCTION AND IMPORTS €1.1 billion through the Clean Energy Transition and Driving Urban Transition co-funded Partnerships and will revamp the R&I is needed to further develop the technology Strategic Energy Technology Plan by the end of 2022, to align to boost hydrogen production from 5.6 million tonnes to its activities with REPowerEU and the European Green Deal. 20 million tonnes by 2030. • Horizon Europe will pilot the concept of Renewable Energy Valleys, including Hydrogen Valleys, to boost ACCELERATING THE ROLL-OUT renewable energy at local level. OF SOLAR ENERGY • The Clean Hydrogen Partnership invests in Hydrogen The European Commission’s Solar Strategy Valleys and hydrogen production, enhancing the global Communication has a strong R&I component: leading position of the EU in electrolyser production. • A solar energy R&I flagship in the next Horizon Europe • The Commission will support the implementation of work programme. the joint Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, developed in the European Research Area framework. • Establishing an R&I pillar in the proposed EU Solar Photovoltaics Industry Alliance. • R&I actions in the Euratom Research and Training programme will support production of hydrogen from • Developing a joint R&I agenda on solar energy with nuclear energy in the EU. Member States in the European Research Area framework. ENERGY SAVINGS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS Based on innovative solutions developed through previous EU R&I programmes, current R&I activities will focus on scaling up solutions to realise energy savings and efficiency. • The EU Cities Mission supports energy savings and efficiency of buildings through the cross-sectoral approach to climate-neutral cities. • The Horizon Europe Co-programmed European Partnership on ‘People-centric sustainable built environment’ develops R&I pathways for sustainability, circularity and better living. DECARBONISING INDUSTRY SPEEDING UP RENEWABLE PERMITTING R&I actions will further accelerate the pathway R&I provide direction to minimise the time for roll- to a decarbonised industry. The Commission out of renewable projects and grid infrastructure together with the aviation, steel, hydrogen, improvements. waterborne, rail, and process industries, is co-investing • Providing guidance on experimentation, including €13.1 billion through Horizon Europe Partnerships. regulatory sandboxes also specifically to the energy • R&I leads the way to zero-emission heavy-duty sector, covering experimentation clauses, safeguards, vehicles through dedicated actions in Horizon Europe timing and the right level of implementation. and the Clean Hydrogen, Clean Aviation and Zero- emission Waterborne Partnerships. • Completing a mapping of sandboxes and experimentation clauses at EU level. • The Processes4Planet and Clean Steel Partnerships and Horizon Europe support R&I on accelerating the decarbonisation of Energy Intensive Industries (e.g. DOUBLING THE EU AMBITION FOR BIO steel, cement, chemicals, aluminium or ceramics), METHANE AND PRODUCE 35 BILLION among others by switching to electrification, renewable CUBIC METERS PER YEAR BY 2030 hydrogen use and incresing energy efficiency. R&I in innovative technologies are needed to boost the bio • Developing a joint policy approach with Member States methane and renewable fuels production. through the European Research Area framework, to • Twenty R&I projects in Horizon 2020 (€120 million) link industrial and R&I policies, notably to accelerate focused on innovative technologies for production of the industrial take-up of R&I results, and launching sustainable bio methane. The results will be integrated on pilots in transport and energy industrial ecosystems. bio methane grid access. • Two additional R&I projects were awarded on bio methane barriers and enablers deployment (€30 million).  FURTHER STRENGTHENING EU INTERNATIONAL ENERGY ENGAGEMENT In addition to Horizon Europe, international cooperation in R&I will further accelerate the clean energy transition: MISSION INNOVATION AND COOPERATION WITH AFRICA AND THE THE BREAKTHROUGH AGENDA MEDITERRANEAN REGION The Commission actively supports global R&I cooperation • Under the EU-AU High Level Policy Dialogue through Mission Innovation. on Science, Technology and Innovation, the • Mission Innovation mobilises countries representing Commission is supporting and co-funding a over 90% of global government investment Long-Term Joint EU-African Union Research and for solutions to make clean energy affordable, Innovation Partnership on Climate Change and attractive and accessible to all. It operates through Sustainable Energy. This Partnership is carrying out seven Mission Innovation Missions, aligned with 8 direct research actions and has recently selected our EU R&I priorities, and synergetic with the 13 projects through an open call for proposals for a Partnerships and EU Missions under Horizon Europe. global funding of €10.35 million from African and European funding agencies and the EU to support • The Commission is co-leading the Clean the development of renewable energy sources Hydrogen Mission that aims to increase the and address climate change and the need for cost-competitiveness of clean hydrogen by electrification. reducing end-to-end costs to €1.8 per kilogram by 2030 and to develop at least 100 Hydrogen • The Commission has also developed a joint Valleys worldwide covering production, storage and EU - Mediterranean R&I Roadmap on advanced utilisation of clean hydrogen by 2030. technologies, green hydrogen production, storage and infrastructures to be endorsed at the Union for • The Commission is also co-leading the Urban the Mediterranean R&I Ministerial conference on Transitions mission that will engage 50 cities 27 June 2022. world-wide to demonstrate pathways to clean energy transition by 2030. SUPPORTING UKRAINE • Developing the Mission Innovation Insights module that provides evidence on progresses in global • The EU research programmes also support clean energy innovation. Ukraine in its moment of need through ERA4Ukraine, Horizon4Ukraine and ERC4Ukraine. • The Commission also supports the Glasgow Breakthrough Agenda, endorsed at COP26, for • To accelerate the diversification of fuel supplies for tracing advancement and enhancing governmental nuclear power plants, a new action will be included action in four key energy areas: power, road in the amended Euratom Research and Training transport, hydrogen and steel. work programme 2021-2022 to increase the EU’s security of supply through researching alternative fuel sourced from outside of Russia for Russian- designed reactors in the EU and Ukraine. More information: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/ research-area/energy-research-and-innovation_en © European Union, 2022 Reuse of this document is allowed, provided appropriate credit is given and any changes are indicated (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license). For any use or reproduction of elements that are not owned by the EU, permission may need to be sought directly from the respective right holders. All images © European Union, unless otherwise stated. Images: © dmitrymoi # 289521402, © MicroOne # 305386384, 2019. Source: Stock.Adobe.com Mariya GABRIEL Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Brussels, 06 September 2022 Dear Minister, The Commission has adopted the REPowerEU package. I take this opportunity to inform you about the research and innovation actions that will contribute to reduce our energy dependency and accelerate the clean energy transition. EU Research & Innovation plays a very important role in the development of the EU hydrogen economy. Thanks to over a decade of EU R&I investments, we are world leaders in electrolyser technologies. R&I will continue to play an important role in improving the efficiency of current technologies and developing new strands in the whole value chain – from production to usage. That is why the Commission proposes to increase the budget of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking by €200 million, to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys across Europe by 2025. I enclose a factsheet with the broader overview of the R&I contribution to the REPowerEU objectives and an infosheet on REPowering the EU through Hydrogen Valleys. I look forward to our continued cooperation. Yours faithfully, Mariya Gabriel Enclosure: Factsheet on R&I contribution to the REPowerEU objectives Infosheet on REPowering the EU through Hydrogen Valleys To the EU Ministers in charge of Research and Innovation Tõnis Lukas Haridus- ja teadusminister 30.09.2022 nr 10.1-13/1013-1 Riina Sikkut Majandus- ja taristuminister Kristjan Järvan Ettevõtlus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Madis Kallas Keskkonnaminister Austatud ministrid Edastame teile Euroopa Komisjoni voliniku Mariya Gabrieli 06.09.2022 kirja (Commission proposes to increase the budget of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking). Lugupidamisega Marten Kokk Esinduse asejuht Coreper I küsimustes Lisad: 1. Voliniku kiri 1 lk 2. Factsheet on R&I contribution to the REPowerEU objectives 3. Infosheet on REPowering the EU through Hydrogen Valleys Tiiu Noobel +32 2227 4337 [email protected] Rue Guimard 11/13 1040 Brüssel Tel: +32 2 227 39 10 [email protected] https://eu.mfa.ee/et/