"HyFacts" increases safety in hydrogen technology
The HyFacts project to develop a European training programme on hydrogen safety, funded by the European Commission and co-ordinated by TÜV SÜD Akademie, has now kicked off. Eleven officials from Germany's approval and licensing authorities, fire brigade and police academy attended the first training to improve their knowledge of hydrogen and fuel-cell technology, which they need in areas including the approval and licensing of hydrogen refuelling stations.
The first pilot training in the form of a two-day course has just ended in Munich. The officials benefited from the expertise of the TÜV SÜD trainers and lecturers. According to the participants' feedback, they will be able to use the knowledge gained in the course directly in their everyday practical work. The next training courses within the scope of the HyFacts EU project will take place in Belfast and Italy. For further information go to www.hyfacts.eu or www.tuev-sued.de/akademie/hochvolt.
Europe – a pioneer of "clean" technologies
Around 220 hydrogen refuelling stations are currently in operation worldwide, 15 of them in Germany. Within the scope of grid upgrade plans, the German government and industry decided to establish another 35 hydrogen refuelling stations by 2015. Based on its national "Electromobility Strategy", the German government anticipates 1 million electric cars on German roads by 2020. This number also includes cars powered by fuel cells and hydrogen. The EU Commission aims for Europe to become a global trailblazer and achieve market penetration for fuel-cell and hydrogen technology.
"The HyFacts project is important for achieving these goals" says Brigitte Hanemann, project leader, at TÜV SÜD Akademie. "By providing training courses on hydrogen to approval and licensing authorities and decision-makers in the fire brigade and police, we ensure a uniform level of knowledge on hydrogen safety among European officials."