hydrogen and fuel cell
2 7
N O . 1 2 0 2 3
I N T E R V I E W
with Jorgo
Chatzimarkakis,
CEO of Hydrogen
Europe
focus: What role will hydro-
gen play in Europe’s 2050 net-ze-
ro emissions targets and where do
you see its biggest potential?
Chatzimarkakis: Renewable and
low-carbon hydrogen is on track
to play a significant role in meet-
ing Europe’s 2050 net-zero targets.
The REPowerEU plan aims for 10
Mt of domestically produced green
hydrogen and 10 Mt of imported
green hydrogen by 2030. This will
safeguard and diversify Europe’s
energy supply by replacing fossil
fuels as well as rare raw materials.
Hydrogen’s most important ap-
plications are in the power sector,
in decarbonizing industrial sec-
tors such as steel and cement, and
in heavy-duty transport by road,
rail, sea, and air. And there are oth-
er ways hydrogen can contribute to
net-zero, too.
focus: What is your perspective on
current and future developments
of the hydrogen market and what
is Hydrogen Europe‘s role?
Chatzimarkakis: Our role is to pro-
mote policies and initiatives that
strengthen the development of
European and global hydrogen
technologies and clean hydrogen
markets, and to coordinate the ad-
vancement of research, develop-
ment, and innovation in hydrogen
technology.
Europe could be the birthplace
of the global hydrogen economy,
where hydrogen is traded across
borders and seas via pipelines and
ships. The EU is a global leader in
hydrogen technology and European
companies are driving innovation.
That said, if Europe wants to re-
main at the forefront of the global
hydrogen sector, it must act to fi-
nalize regulation and provide cer-
tainty to investors. Proactive and
timely action will ensure our com-
petitive edge over countries like
China or the US, the latter having
passed incentive schemes for hy-
drogen under its Inflation Reduc-
tion Act.
focus: What impact will the AVL
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Test Cen-
ter have on the industrialization of
hydrogen and fuel cell technology?
Chatzimarkakis: The new AVL center
is one of the largest and most ad-
vanced test sites for fuel cells and
electrolysis systems in the world. It
can test a number of components
along the hydrogen value chain
and can therefore provide urgent-
ly needed test capacity to the whole
industry. �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
• 600 m² facility with a maximum allocation of
20 testbeds
• Total capacity of up to 2 MW
• Testing of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)
systems with an output of up to 400 kilowatts
• System, subsystem, and component testing for
solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), solid oxide
electrolysis cells (SOEC) and PEM electrolysis
activities for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicle ap-
plications, as well as stationary power generation systems.
It is futureproof and adaptable to tomorrow’s demands.
The facility has a control and service area, with au-
tomated, remotely controlled testbeds. These run
on the AVL PUMA 2™ automation system, ensur-
ing accurate testing, safety, reliability, and repeatabil-
ity. The facility covers all development-related test
procedures, from performance characterization and
model validation to durability tests, and controls op-
timization. This is managed with AVL CAMEO™.
COMMITTING TO THE FUTURE
With this center we are committing to the application of
these new technologies for many sectors, including ma-
rine, rail, aviation, stationary power generation, and effi-
cient hydrogen production. With its large hydrogen infra-
structure, it will also be used to advance hydrogen supply
techniques and technologies.
While this facility represents one of our most ambitious
construction projects, it is just the latest development of
this kind in our global network. We also run a newly built
fuel cell test center in Canada, and another fuel cell test
center is under construction in Hungary. ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
AVL Hydrogen and Fuel Cell
Test Center facts:
© Hydrogen Europe