Visit to GKN Hydrogen
The AMETHyST roundtable was held on 22 June 2023 in Bolzano with numerous stakeholders and sector experts representing, among else, innovative enterprises active in the field of hydrogen, research centres, hydrogen producers, energy providers and the transport department of the provincial administration. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss barriers, opportunities and needs emerging from the Hydrogen Valley South Tyrol.
Some key insights
- Opportunities for strengthening the region’s economic position include the creation of a hydrogen ecosystem and the export of solutions and expertise. Efficient networking among all stakeholders within this ecosystem is essential. EU funding supports the development and market introduction of hydrogen technologies, with initial subsidies playing a crucial role in achieving market maturity and developing necessary skills and know-how. The public sector must drive demand to make hydrogen competitive. Additionally, fuel cell vehicles are ready for the market, particularly for heavy transport, and efficient hydrogen storage in metal hydrides contributes to local ecosystem development.
- Barriers include the need to identify the most suitable applications of hydrogen technology and set priorities to avoid dispersing resources and efforts. There is also a lack of public awareness and misconceptions about hydrogen that need to be addressed. More actors are needed in South Tyrol to expand the hydrogen sector. Furthermore, regulatory adaptations are necessary to provide legal certainty for hydrogen applications, as the current Italian hydrogen storage norms are strict and require future adjustments.
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