PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Transport is the main cause of air and noise pollution in cities, causing respiratory, cardiovascular diseases and cancer as well as annoyance, sleep disturbance and other negative effects on human health. Italy has highest number of deaths due to air pollution in the EU. Transport-related CO2 emissions account for at least 30% of EU greenhouse gas emissions, the majority of which (72%) can be attributed to road transport. These emissions are five times greater in low-speed vehicles such as buses.
The EU Alternative Fuels Directive recommends establishing national policy frameworks for the development of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and fuel cells (HFC) technologies. HFC have been identified as key solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, decarbonising the current energy system and stimulating the development of related EU industries in line with the objectives of the new European Green Deal.
The application of fuel cells to buses represents a viable alternative to internal combustion, especially if these are fuelled with surplus hydrogen coming from industrial by-products. It would thus help improve air quality, bringing to zero local emissions and contributing to the shift towards a sustainable economy. The European Commission is developing the concept of Hydrogen Valleys, which are defined as geographical areas, cities, regions or industrial sites where several hydrogen applications are combined together and integrated within a fuel cell hydrogen ecosystem. Small hydrogen buses can support the development and provide added value to the establishment of Hydrogen Valleys. The project will be the first initiative in Europe to test hydrogen buses, shorter than 13 metres long, in a historical town, a historical port and a natural tourist area.OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the project is to set up, demonstrate and exploit three Hydrogen Valleys in three different regional contexts, by implementing clean, agile and small hydrogen buses fuelled with surplus hydrogen coming from local industrial activity. The new transport solution will improve air quality, reduce emissions and facilitate the local mobility, economic growth and environmental sustainability while protecting human and natural areas.
Specifically, the project aims to:
- Build up the first three Italian Hydrogen Valleys, laying the basis for one transregional Hydrogen Valley that uses synergies between hydrogen production and distribution;
- Develop a common and sustainable local public transport mobility system, based on hydrogen buses, which will be applied to three different scenarios: seaport (Port of Civitavecchia, Lazio), urban (historical city of Terni, Umbria) and mountain/park areas (Altopiano delle Rocche, Abruzzo). Six buses and three hydrogen refuelling stations will be developed and their efficiency demonstrated during the project;
- Implement integrated local policies and regulatory approaches – including the introduction of hydrogen in regional transport and energy plans – in order to enhance the deployment of hydrogen refuelling stations;
- Promote the circular economy, by storing and using hydrogen waste and by products from local industries (the steel plant in Terni, and the Chimica Bussi chlorine soda plant in Pescara).
- Create a smart IT mobility management system for monitoring the environmental parameters of the equipment and vehicles and to create a database to further exploit and replicate the project; and
- Develop a Hydrogen Valley implementation strategy for the extension and replication of the experience to other Italian sites.
The project will contribute towards the EC Transport White Paper, 2014, the Gothenburg 2012 Protocol, alternative fuels and Directive, the EU Strategy for Energy System Integration, the Hydrogen Strategy for a climate-neutral Europe, the EU Clean Hydrogen Alliance, the EU Green Deal, EU Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 , the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, the 7th Environment Action Programme, the EU air quality strategy and the EU Directive on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Reduction of GHG emissions (CO2: 954 t/year) and local pollutants (PM: 146 kg/y; CO: 2 837 kg/y; NOx: 6 019 kg/y);
- Reduction of waste: 67 t/year of hydrogen used as fuel and not disposed of;
- Creation of energy from renewable sources: 324 MWh/y owing to the use of hydroelectricity for the chlorine-soda plant; and
- Reduction of local transport energy consumption by 2 659 MWh/y.
