Spatial Planning Toolkit to assist stakeholders in planning HRS / Possible collaboration between HyTruck and Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP)

The breakfast briefing started with a presentation of the Spatial Planning Toolkit developed by Tartu University and aimed at optimizing the placement of hydrogen fuel stations in the Baltic Sea region. The toolkit, presented by Alexander Kmoch from the University of Tartu, is designed to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding the spatial allocation of these stations. The Spatial Planning Toolkit utilizes a multi-criteria geospatial analysis approach, integrating various factors such as proximity to urban centers, water availability, and terrain suitability. The analysis is conducted on a grid system with a resolution of approximately one kilometer, allowing for detailed suitability assessments of potential locations for hydrogen fuel stations. The toolkit incorporates stakeholder feedback and scientific literature to establish criteria and weightings for the analysis.

Key functionalities of the toolkit include the ability to visualize suitability scores for different locations, access auxiliary data layers such as power stations and renewable energy sources, and customize weighting parameters based on user preferences. The application has transitioned to an open-access model, enhancing user experience and allowing broader participation in the planning process. The presentation also highlighted the importance of aligning the placement of hydrogen fuel stations with European directives like AFIR, ensuring that no location is more than 200 kilometers apart along key transport corridors. The toolkit aims to identify gaps in current infrastructure and propose optimal locations for new stations, thereby facilitating the clean energy transition in the region. Overall, the initiative represents a collaborative effort to leverage geospatial technology for sustainable energy planning.

The second part titled “CETP Impact Network Connections session” aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders involved in the clean energy transition, particularly focusing on the HyTruck consortium. Moderated by Tanja Suni, the workshop included representatives from various Transition Initiatives (TRIs) related to hydrogen, renewable fuels, storage technologies, and integrated energy systems.

The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) is a co-funded initiative under Horizon Europe, designed to accelerate the clean energy transition across Europe and beyond. It involves over 30 countries and approximately 50 public funders, pooling resources to support innovation in clean energy. The partnership opens annual calls for funding, amounting to €100 – €140 million, which supports around 50 to 60 projects each year. The CETP operates through seven modules, with TRI 3, TRI 5, and TRI 6 being particularly relevant to the discussions, focusing on hydrogen technologies, alternative fuels, integrated regional energy systems, and industrial energy systems. The CETP impact and exploitation team is dedicated to enhancing the market readiness of projects through various resources, including an impact network map and impact library that provides methodologies and best practices for stakeholder engagement, commercialization, and sustainability. The team also organizes events to facilitate dialogue among key sectors, aiming to accelerate the transition to clean energy systems.

During the session, participants engaged in a brainstorming activity to identify potential synergies between HyTruck use cases and CETP technologies. The discussion centered on the development of hydrogen refueling stations and the role of CETP in supporting hydrogen truck initiatives and regional hydrogen initiatives. Key insights included the importance of addressing practical challenges such as storage safety and societal impacts, as well as the need for funding and policy alignment to support regional hydrogen infrastructure development. The discussion highlighted the potential for collaboration in market shaping events to address barriers to the hydrogen economy, emphasizing the necessity of integrating societal readiness and environmental considerations into the development of hydrogen economy.

In this sense, the potential for regional pilots in various countries was discussed as a starting point for transitioning to a hydrogen economy. However, it was noted that many CETP projects are still at low technology readiness levels (TRL), which limits their immediate applicability for piloting. The conversation also highlighted the significance of test beds and living labs in validating technologies related to hydrogen trucks. Stakeholder engagement was emphasized as crucial for understanding technological challenges and ensuring safe supply and storage of hydrogen. The need for a consistent regulatory framework across countries was highlighted as essential for the success of large international hydrogen projects.

The discussion underscored the importance of long-term national plans for hydrogen infrastructure development, particularly considering funding challenges and the need for government support to make green hydrogen economically viable. Overall, the workshop served as a platform for networking and exploring collaborative opportunities, concluding with an invitation for participants to engage further with CETP initiatives and explore collaborative opportunities, with a focus on leveraging shared interests and resources to advance the clean energy transition.

Downloads:

• Presentation about the Spatial Development Toolkit by Alexander Kmoch, University of Tartu
• Presentation about the Clean Energy Transition initiative by Tanja Suni, CLIC Innovation Ltd

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