Hydrogen and fuel cell education in Europe: from when? And where? To here! And now!

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.05.017

Journal of Cleaner Production

Volume 18, Supplement 1, December 2010, Pages S112-S117

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.05.017 Get rights and content

Abstract

Hydrogen and fuel cells are not yet part of what average European school children learn in school. Available textbooks rarely include references to the role of hydrogen technologies in the development of a secure and sustainable energy future. In the present paper, main activities in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell education in Europe are reviewed. An action program is outlined with the aim to facilitate an accelerated uptake of the awareness of first customers and first workforce of the role of hydrogen and fuel cells in future energy and transport systems.

Introduction

The large scale introduction of hydrogen and fuel cells requires a comprehensive set of measures to ensure that handling and operating these new energy systems becomes part of the daily routine of European Union (EU) citizens. The establishment of a European and national regulatory framework, an effective financial support mechanism, a favourable business development climate, an educated workforce and an eager customer base will be the main socioeconomic drivers of this technology next to a research and development framework.

Hydrogen and fuel cells are not yet part of what average European school children learn in school; textbooks rarely include references to the role of hydrogen and fuel cell applications in the development of a secure and sustainable energy future. To secure the human capital needed to meet the particular requirements of the large scale use of hydrogen and fuel cells, broad curriculum integration of hydrogen and fuel cell topics in European educational institutions is paramount.

Educators understanding hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, as well as the safety aspects connected to these, are needed in schools, universities, research centers, trade and industry training centers. A European coordinated curriculum integration programme, embedded in existing clean energy education integration efforts, will accelerate market uptake as school communities include families and local businesses a well.

Key decision makers and authorisation officials on national and local level need to be informed about the technical and regulatory requirements regarding the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in transport and stationary applications. Journalists and opinion leaders need to be informed of technical and regulatory aspects and last but not least preparatory studies need to be executed to develop a comprehensive and well coordinated Europe-wide campaign to inform the general public at a later stage. A Europe-wide coordinated approach to stimulate and support national progress is paramount.

This paper will highlight the main activities in this field in Europe and will offer concrete ideas that could facilitate an accelerated uptake of the awareness of first customers and first workforce of the role of hydrogen and fuel cells in future energy and transport systems.

Section snippets

Initiative group education and training

In 2003 a first comprehensive effort to map existing and to plan future hydrogen and fuel cell educational programmes under the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP 7) was taken on by the Initiative Group Education and Training (IG E&T) of the European Technology Platform for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (HFP). In the period of its operation (2003–2008) the HFP prepared the creation of one of the EU’s first Joint Undertakings in Energy: the JU for fuel cells and hydrogen (FCH JU) established by

General

Students that have entered high school in most EU Member States in 2009 will be choosing their first car in about 5 years time, just when the automobile industry is planning the first phase of mass production of hydrogen-powered cars (Tan, 2009). However clean energy education, teaching students of elementary and secondary schools about the sustainable use of energy, is not part of European national school curricula. Knowledge about the efficient use of energy, clean energy sources and future

General

Universities will play an important role in integrating hydrogen into energy and transport systems. They can serve as training centers, providing basic understanding of the new components of an energy system such as fuel cells, as well as facilitate the “knowledge link” between the present energy supply structure to a new one. Graduate programmes and basic research at the highest level will be needed to move hydrogen and fuel cells closer to an economically favourable energy system.

The

General

Industries involved in the production of hydrogen and fuel cell applications train their personnel in-house as their products require special handling and the first product placements are controlled. Early market development will require a workforce of technicians who can be employed at various fuel cell and hydrogen production and maintenance companies with sufficient knowledge of the operation of these systems. A first attempt of integrating the hydrogen and fuel cell topic in basic training

General

Public awareness programmes need to include an extensive and coordinated part to inform local authorities and key decision makers on the technical, regulatory and safety aspects regarding the use of fuel cell and hydrogen. Officials in central and local government, regulatory organisations, Parliament and VIPs on EU, national, state and local level will be fundamental in facilitating an increasing number of installations of the first hydrogen and fuel cell systems. Informed authorities could

Conclusions

The European hydrogen and fuel cell sector embodies the potential that the European Commission seeks to realise by 2020, contributing to the priorities that form the main drivers of EU 2020:

1.
Accumulating knowledge on a new energy and transport technology and produce commercial applications; many fuel cell systems are already competitive products;
2.
Fostering creativity and innovation especially in SME’s; many hydrogen and fuel cell design-to-product developments took place in Europe’s small and

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International H2&FC education activities
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There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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Hydrogen and fuel cell education in Europe: from when? And where? To here! And now!

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Initiative group education and training

General

General

General

General

Conclusions

International H2&FC education activities

Group of car manufacturers sign Letter of Understanding on fuel cell electric vehicles