Latvian advancements in hydrogen technology

Highlights of the Breakfast Briefing

1. Green Hydrogen Buses in Latvia (H2Value Project):
   Aivars Starikovs, representing Latvia’s Hydrogen Association, introduced the pilot project for green hydrogen buses, highlighting their role in transitioning to sustainable public transportation. The project aims to test hydrogen buses in Riga and other regions, setting a benchmark for scalability in the Baltic Sea area.
2. Riga Airport’s Hydrogen Initiatives (BSR HyAirport Project):
   Mārtins Grels from Riga Airport discussed their position as the first regional airport to incorporate hydrogen buses in their operations. He shared plans for upcoming hydrogen-powered test flights, emphasizing Riga Airport’s commitment to innovation in sustainable aviation.
3. Naco Technologies – A Latvian success story:
   Raivis Ņikitins detailed the contributions of Naco Technologies, a Latvian company with a strong focus on hydrogen innovation since 2020. The company has developed advanced materials and components that enable the integration of hydrogen solutions in various sectors, showcasing Latvia’s technological leadership.

Key discussion points

• Hydrogen Use Cases in Jelgava (H2Value):
  Aivars Ositis from AI Cooperation provided insights into Jelgava’s activities within the H2Value project. These include hydrogen use cases for public transport and municipal applications, laying a foundation for future regional expansion.
• Aviation and Hydrogen Technology:
  Discussions centered on the unique requirements of hydrogen technology in aviation, where lightweight materials such as aluminum are crucial. It was noted that while liquid hydrogen is expected to dominate aviation fuel solutions, power management and efficiency remain critical areas of focus.
• Collaborative opportunities:
  The session underscored the importance of cooperation between governments, private companies, and research institutions in overcoming challenges and driving innovation in hydrogen technology.

Outcomes and next steps

• The importance of sharing results from pilot projects, such as Riga Airport’s hydrogen buses, to inform best practices and scalability strategies was highlighted.
• Participants were encouraged to attend the upcoming Clean Hydrogen Partnership event in Latvia to stay engaged with ongoing developments in the hydrogen ecosystem.
• Collaboration among stakeholders remains essential to foster innovation and build sustainable hydrogen infrastructure in the Baltic region.

The session concluded with thanks to all participants and presenters, along with a call to action to continue knowledge-sharing and follow up on discussed topics.

Download presentations

• Green Hydrogen Buses in Latvia (H2Value Project)
• Riga Airport’s Hydrogen Initiatives (BSR HyAirport Project)
• Naco Technologies

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