HyLights is a coordination action to accelerate the commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cells in the field of transport in Europe. HyLights will assist all stakeholders in the preparation of the next important phase of the transition to hydrogen as a fuel and long-term renewable energy carrier.

This next phase will be characterised by large scale demonstration projects at various sites throughout the European Union. These projects are necessary to validate the coming technology generations as well as to create first hydrogen clusters that can be extended later on to hydrogen networks. Large scale demonstration activities are also essential to achieve a sufficient visibility to gain public acceptance and to create confidence in the transition phase of hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles.
As HyLights’s focus is transport the following basic tasks will particularly consider vehicle and refuelling infrastructure demonstration activities:

• develop an assessment framework for concluded/ongoing demonstration projects,
• analyse individual projects and establish a project database,
• carry out a gaps analysis and prepare a requirement profile for the next stage projects,
• assess and identify necessary financial and legal steps in preparation of the new projects, and
• develop a European interest group named “Hydrogen for Transport”.

The assessment framework and gaps analysis will compare best practices and lessons learned with stakeholder expectations and Member State and region specific needs and conditions. The assessment will not be limited to technical parameters but also covers financial and legal aspects as well as operational experiences and public relations.

This very paramount assessment will lead to a detailed planning of possible structures for successful large scale demonstration activities. Only a robust technical, financial and legal framework provides the necessary solid ground for the large investments which have to be shared by the participating stakeholders.

A harmonised European assessment framework is not only a key success factor for future hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration activities. It is also a contribution to the international discussion process especially to similar activities in Japan and the USA. This international harmonisation effort will be an essential step for the market preparation and the comprehensive transition of hydrogen as a vehicle fuel.

Initiative group on hydrogen for transport

HyLights was set up by 21 partners initially, 4 European institutes and 17 industry partners representing automotive industry, oil companies, technical gases industry and utilities. But this is considered to be just the starting point. Other interested parties such as additional industry partners, governments and other stakeholders are invited to take part in the planning process via an initiative group on hydrogen for transport that will be established by HyLights.

This extended group of stakeholders is meant to provide visibility to the coherent strategy behind the activities on hydrogen for transport.