Summary of the PCHET2020 Hydrogen Conference

The emotions are slowly cooling off after a successful 3rd edition of the PCHET2020 hydrogen conference, which took place on 28th and 29th of September. This year the situation with COVID-19 forced us to organize our meeting online and learn how to act in completely new conditions. It was a big challenge for the organizers as well as for the speakers. Now we can admit that the online formula of the event has proved its values and we intend to maintain it in the following years, of course if possible meet in real world.

 

The record attendance at this year's edition of the conference proves the growing interest in hydrogen issues and convinces us that organizing such events is necessary.

 

The Deputy Minister of Climate Ireneusz Zyska, in opening the conference, clearly supported the activities undertaken by Pomeranian Hydrogen Valley and invited to cooperation and consultation on the Polish Hydrogen Strategy being developed. He pointed out that the Polish energy sector is facing major changes.

 

"Hydrogen will gradually become one of the key energy sources used in the European Union and in the near future also in Poland. This is due not only to ecological issues, such as the achievement of the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also to various possibilities of using this fuel not only in the power industry, but also in industry or transport" - added the Government Plenipotentiary for RES.

 

The discussion on the first day of the scientific and technical session showed the possible ways of development of hydrogen supply to vehicles, including the combustion of lower quality hydrogen. During the session "Good practices in Europe" we learned examples of projects worth following, e.g.: BIG HIT, new solutions such as Enapter's small modular AEM electrolyzer or Solhub green hydrogen refuelling point.

 

In terms of technological innovation, the German company KEYOU derived from former BMW engineers, develops technology for converting diesel and spark engines into hydrogen, which is burned in the engine compartment. On the same day Andrzej Szałek - advisor to the management board of Toyota Motor Poland - also pointed out that the company will “fight” for fuel cells to be even more present on the passengers’ car market.

 

One of the most interesting projects presented during PCHET was HGaas. Its idea is perfectly reflected by project’s slogan "Hydrogen always on the way". The project enables small RES producers to integrate and produce hydrogen in power2gas technology. Next, the Hy-way 2 Hel project was discussed, introducing a hydrogen-powered train on the Gdynia-Hel train route.

 

In addition to topics related to the development of hydrogen technologies, the conference also discussed the issue of legislation.

 

Poland has no hydrogen regulations now, although Polish companies have quite a lot to offer. Our country is the fifth hydrogen producer in the EU. Annual production is over one million tons and accounts for about 14% of the EU market.

 

For the first time in this edition, we organized a debate on the social aspects of hydrogen and found it necessary to further educate our society with a special emphasis on the young generation.

 

We should raise awareness among the young generation about hydrogen technologies. We should talk more about hydrogen in the context of good practices and building knowledge. The session was summarized by its participants.

 

Thank you all for your participation and we invite you to cooperate in organizing our next 4th edition of the conference. The event shows that not only talking but mostly engaging companies in cooperation is a key for energy market transformation.

 

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Cluster coordinator Regional Pomeranian Chamber of Commerce

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