Hydrogen

About

The Implementation Working Group (IWG) on hydrogen aims to strengthen cooperation and coordination of research and innovation (R&I) among SET Plan countries to support joint development, demonstration, de-risking and scale-up of hydrogen technologies. Due to the systemic role and importance of hydrogen in the future energy system, the IWG aims to link the thematic areas of the SET Plan that relate to hydrogen through collaborations with other IWGs. 

The scope of the IWG is renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. It covers the entire value chain from hydrogen production, storage, transport, to end uses in mobility, industry and stationary energy applications, including cross-cutting dimensions. All technology readiness levels are within the scope. 

The IWG assumes a long-term research perspective until 2050 with sensible interim stages for 2030 and 2040. The IWG does not consider the development of upstream technologies (e.g. nuclear reactors and biomass conversion processes), nor downstream technologies (e.g. carbon capture and storages (CCS) or catalytic reactors and processes for producing derivatives such as renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs)). However, the potential for optimisation of costs and sustainability within an integrated energy system belongs to the IWG's focus. 

The IWG’s Thematic Vision presents their objectives to strengthen the European innovation ecosystem for hydrogen and to foster cooperation and cross-national coordination of research and innovation ambitions in hydrogen technologies among SET Plan countries. In this way, the IWG supports the SET Plan countries in achieving their energy and climate objectives, thereby contributing to energy independence and technology sovereignty of Europe as a whole. 

Targets and objectives

The IWG is fully committed to contribute to the overarching European ambitions laid down in the EU’s hydrogen and industry policy and associated R&I agendas. The Thematic Vision includes targets that aim to:  

• increase Europe’s resilience and independence by supporting a wide portfolio of technologies from low to high TRL
• support system integration to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, bridge between sectors and integrate renewable and low-carbon energies
• increase competitiveness by scaling-up technologies, improving conversion efficiency and durability, advancing materials, reducing costs, improving safety and monitoring, developing viable business models and supporting sustainable breakthrough technologies
• support small and large-scale hydrogen valleys in order to better connect hydrogen stakeholders and sectors across borders, in particular with the electricity sector. 

To accelerate the European hydrogen sector in the short-term, the IWG recommends focusing R&I efforts on the following technological areas:  

• scale-up, cost reduction and improvement of durability and reliability of electrolysers; development of next-generation production routes
• scale-up and improvement of safety and efficiency of hydrogen storage and transport technologies
• viable hydrogen use-cases in hard-to-abate sectors (industry, mobility) and power sector
• cross-sectoral and cross-border applications of hydrogen within relevant multi-application ecosystems (hydrogen valleys). 

In order to strengthening cross-cutting dimensions of the energy transition, the IWG focusses on the reduction of critical raw materials and establishment of circularity and digitalisation along the hydrogen value chain, e.g. by introducing dedicated funding and procurement criteria. Regarding societal aspects, stakeholder engagement and information sharing are key to identify the most relevant needs. The IWG also aims to support sharing of good practices and mapping of educational infrastructures and programmes.   

IWG members

The group consists of 20 countries and two co-chairs.  

Relevant links

• ERA pilot on Green Hydrogen: Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda
• European Commission (2024): How the EU supports hydrogen research