The International Polish Conference for Hydrogen Energy and Technologies (PCHET) took place on 1st October 2019 in the Pomeranian Technology Park in Gdynia, was organized for the second time by the Cluster of Hydrogen Technologies and Clean Coal Technologies together with its partners. It gathered almost 300 participants representing a very wide and diverse economic, scientific and research community and local government administration.
This edition of the conference presented a spectrum of issues related to the use of hydrogen technologies in transport and energy. Legislative gaps, funding options, and presented business models using hydrogen as an energy carrier were discussed.
The culminating event of the conference was the announcement of establishing the Pomeranian Hydrogen Valley initiative and its program.
The program was initiated by signing a declaration of cooperation by a wide range of stakeholders who declared participation and support.
The signatories of the declaration are:
The Pomeranian Hydrogen Valley aims to create conditions for full implementation in Pomerania of transport based on "green" hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen obtained from renewable energy sources. The flagship project with a set of measurable results will be named "Hy-way to Hel". It is targeted at organization of rail and sea transport routes based on hydrogen-powered ships and trains. 2,000 tons of "green" hydrogen per year for public transport will be a key target. The Pomeranian Hydrogen Valley program is fully compatible with Pomeranian Smart Specializations.
The program will also affect a number of other areas, including research and development works through the involvement of Polish universities, including potential of the Gdańsk University of Technology with a prospect of creating a new profession of technician and engineer with the competences necessary for the construction and operation of hydrogen installations.
Hydrogen technologies show technological maturity. These technologies are known for years and used in the Polish industry. Poland is the 5th producer of hydrogen in EU. It is a proven and safe technology. Important for the success of the “Hy-way to Hel” project will also be an extensive promotion of this type of technology in society and convincing people that it is clean and safe as a fuel - said Marek Foltynowicz, hydrogen expert at Grupa Lotos.
