Ain Laidoja

Estonian Hydrogen Days started on the 5th of July with Conference and Expo day, which followed with a day of Science in the University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry.

Video Recordings:

• Conference Day
• Hydrogen in Aviation
• Day of Science

Expo

To warm up the visitors of the conference 4 hydrogen cars were presented to start with. It’s nothing new about using hydrogen in Estonia. The most experienced and oldest car was presented by Estonian hydrogen and electric vehicles enthusiast Enn Siemann. This 15 years car is still in service and has a notable tiny hydrogen consumption of 0.2 g hydrogen per 100 km travelled. Hydrogen equipment installed is delivered from Ecomotus and is one of the 30’th similar installations/retrofits of the vehicles on Estonian roads today.

Another 2 Mirais and also portable Hydrogen Refuelling Station was presented by Atrado. The latest state of the art technology Toyota Mirai 2021 was of great interest to visitors.

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Collection of hydrogen technologies got an addition when the Deputy Mayor of the City of Tartu / Hydrogen mayor of Estonia arrived by a Hydrogen Bicycle. A Hydrogen drone by SKYCORP was landed next to the European Space Agency (ESA) rocket in the centre of the exhibition area. It had also received an update, apparently a world’s first, since it was also able to act as an off-grid generator (at the event, used to charge phones)

PowerUp Energy Technologies showcased actual hydrogen-powered off-grid generators meant to replace polluting and noisy diesel generators.

An unknown hydrogen device was also introduced, and the organizers are asking for help in identifying the device. It is said to be a hydrogen burner, but explanatory information is welcome 😏.

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Conference

Welcome from Policy

The conference was opened by an opening speech Deputy Mayor City of Tartu – Mr. Raimond Tamm and TEN-T policy, European Coordinator for the North Sea–Baltic core network corridor – Mrs. Catherine Trautmann.

European Hydrogen policy, Hydrogen Europe –Mr. Grzegors Pawelec and State of play of FCH JU Activity, Executive. Director FCH JU – Mr. Bart Biebuyck encouraged Estonians to dive into the hydrogen economy.

Mrs. Liis Kasemets from the Ministry of Environment told us about the Role of Hydrogen in achieving climate goals. The subject was complemented by an energy Estonian Energy Policy and Hydrogen, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications – Mr. Jaanus Uiga. Estonian value chains for green Hydrogen, Estonian Hydrogen Cluster – Mr. Sven Parkel.

World’s First Autonomous Hydrogen Bus

In the city centre at the same time Kersti Kaljulaid, the President of Estonia lifted the covers to introduce the shuttle powered by clean hydrogen.
She was also the very first passenger on the hydrogen vehicle. “Today is definitely a significant day for the whole world but we still have so much energy, so that for us it is just a landmark on our long journey.”

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Hydrogen development plans in Estonia

Hydrogen Valleys, New Energy Coalition,  Mr. Patrick Cnubben
Hydrogen Valley Roadmap – Tartu,  Estiko Energia – Mr. Ain Tammvere
Role of Energy Cooperatives, Tartu Regional Energy Agency – Mr. Martin Kikas
Converting ambitions into action, Port of Tallinn – Mrs. Hele-Mai Metsal
From Innovation to International Cooperation, NeptHyne – Mr. Tomasz Pelc
Space for Green Applications, Tartu Science Park/ESA  – Mr. Andrus Kurvits
Alexela project pipeline,  Alexela  – Mr. Aivo Adamson
Hydrogen Refueling Stations in Estonia, Tartu Terminal – Mr. Jörgen Õigus
Self-Driving H2 Bus,  AuveTech – Mr. Johannes Mossov
Hydrogen in Transport, University of Tartu – Mr. Enn Lust
Hydrogen Backbone,  Elering – Mr. Karl Kivinurm
Hydrogen refuelling opportunities in Estonia, Atrado – Mr. Erik Kuus
Supercaps in renewables and transport, Skeleton – Mr. Egert Valmra 
CO2-free pyrolysis as an alternative to electrolysis,  – Mr. Illimar Parts

Roundtable discussion – What could be the Estonian solution?

Estonian solution, from where hydrogen is coming from and in which sector consumed.
For what we need hydrogen at all was the first question asked by moderator Tanel Talve.

Topics like Climate, transport on road and railway was discussed, but also aviation.
How to attract the private sector to get involved in Hydrogen Business?

Aviation

Aviation in Europe, DG MOVE – Mr. Henrik Hololei.
Estonia – future for aviation?,
Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology – Mr. Andres Sutt.
Aviation is one of the sectors difficult to decarbonise and using batteries to power aircraft is a real challenge. Hydrogen is foreseen as the solution provider for aviation by proposing hydrogen as a light energy carrier. “By 2035, aircraft with highly efficient propulsion systems and 30% less fuel consumption, could become available” was noted by Jan Palmer, CEO of Xfly.

Climate Neutral Aviation Roadmap, Estonian Aviation Cluster – Mr. Kristo Reinsalu.
Hydrogen Aviation, Xfly – Mr. Jan Palmer.
Dutch experience, &Flux – Mr. Petrus Postma.
Enabling Growth, Estonian Aviation Academy – Mr. Karl-Eerik Unt.

Day of Science

Opening remarks – Rector Toomas Asser
Hydrogen technologies development in Europe, Japan and USA – Mr. Enn Lust
Synthesis of carbon materials and development of supercapacitors in UT – Ph.D Thomas Thomberg
Novel Na-ion batteries based on Estonian peat derived carbons – M.Sc. Anu Adamson
Thin-film hydrogen storage materials development in UT – Ph.D. Rasmus Palm
Development of PEM FC materials and devices – Ph.D. Jaak Nerut
Development of solid oxide fuel cell materials – Ph.D. Gunnar Nurk 
Investigation of solid oxide electrolysis cell materials and single cells – Ph.D. Martin Maide
Development of first Estonian FC Car Iseauto and energy storage demo complex in Chemicum – Ph.D. student Rait Kanarbik

Panel Discussion

If you, thought that scientists always agree with each other, then you are wrong.
Should we ban Internal Combustion Engines and gas turbines even for peak shaving in electricity networks?
Is a hydrogen-powered vehicle better and greener than Battery one ?
Hydrogen to balance electricity system and what is the cost of transporting hydrogen in the gas grid.

Tour of the demo centre and  laboratories

Batteries, Supecaps, fuel cells and electrolyser cells were found in labs.
No secrets, tonnes of questions were asked (both, wise and foolish ones ), proper science-based answers were delivered in return.
But that’s not all. For enthusiasts were given a guide to making fuel cells at home (DIY).

Day 1: Seminar and Expo day. Let’s show, not just tell and let’s matchmake!

This will also include a world’s first – guess what 😉

Day 2: Science day – Tartu University will cover all topics and also show a full hydrogen value chain. 😳

Estonian Hydrogen Days will be celebrated in Tartu with a multi-day program. The webinars on the 5^th and 6^th of July are open to all interested parties.

The two-day event aims to highlight hydrogen as the fuel of the future and discuss Estonia’s position in the development of hydrogen as an energy carrier. There are practical, political and scientific topics on the table. Discussions include environmental issues and how energy companies, governments and European institutions can contribute to the development of hydrogen technologies.

Amongst others Catherine Trautmann, Coordinator for the North Sea-Baltic core network (TEN-T), Grzegors Pawelec from Hydrogen Europe and Bart Biebuyck from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) will present the European Union’s trends in hydrogen deployment. Patrick Cnubben of New Energy Coalition from The Netherlands shares his practical experience in creating Hydrogen Valleys. Henrik Hololei, Director-General for Mobility and Transport, will give an overview of hydrogen in aviation.

The agenda can be found at: www.tartuvesinik.wixsite.com/hydrogendays2021.

The first day will take place at the Ahhaa Science Center and the second day at the University of Tartu Institute of Chemistry.

All interested parties are welcome to take part in the event online on both days. You can register here: https://tartuvesinik.wixsite.com/hydrogendays2021. The discussions will take part in English.

Please follow us – First-day broadcast and Second-day broadcast:
 
In addition, hydrogen-powered vehicles will be shown in front of the Ahha Science Center on the 5th of July. There are hydrogen-powered cars, a hydrogen bicycle, the world’s first self-driving hydrogen bus, hydrogen drones and off-grid generators.

The Estonian Hydrogen Days are celebrated for the first time and are organised by the City of Tartu, the University of Tartu and the Estonian Association of Hydrogen Technologies. The event is supported and sponsored by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Estonia, Enterprise Estonia, Invest Estonia, Estiko AS, SA Environmental Investment Center, SKYCORP OÜ, Ahhaa Center, Tartu Terminal AS and Linde Gas AS.
 
Additional information: Jaanus Tamm, Project Manager, Department of Urban Economy, mob. +372 5850 6742

Rutt Ernits-Sups Public relations department Communications specialist

+372 5554 0731

Estonia receives 23 hydrogen project applications in IPCEI call with the total value of € 1.5 billion.

Despite the fact that the IPCEI call was open with very short notice only for 3 weeks, a lot of local interest was shown up by the Estonian private sector and industry.

List of projects.

Among many others Port of Tallinn foresees itself as a part of the green economy, proposing to develop a Hydrogen Hub in Port of Paldiski. Location is superior, connecting railway and the main road and also next to existing natural gas pipeline Baltic Connector (3400 MW) and HVDC interconnection to Finland (Estlink). About 13 GW Off-Shore wind parks have been proposed by developers, and the port could be the perfect place to accommodate construction and service points for wind parks.

Estonian Hydrogen IPCEI press announcement.

Hydrogen economy development is on the horizon, and 55 MEUR funding to start with from the government expected to be announced during this summer.

Selected projects from Estonia

Project developer	Project Description	Investment (MEUR)
Alexela / PowerUP Energy Technologies	Develop and implement automated, multipurpose and universal H2 refuelling and cylinder exchange stations which could be used by full vertical of consumers, from small scale to the large-scale customers	15
Eesti Energia / Alexela	Establishing a hydrogen production facility at Pakri peninsula and a logistics system (incl. road transport of hydrogen and hydrogen refueling stations in several locations)	75
Elcogen	1. Developing Nickel (Ni) and Cobalt (Co) free cells together with optimised stack able to operate in reversible SOFC/SOEC mode (4th generation of SOCs). 2. Optimising manufacturing process for SOC mass production through new manufacturing processes combined with AI and Industry 4.0 implementation.	30
ESTIKO Energia OÜ	Transform Raadi into a regional Hydrogen Hub, HyRaadi, which successfully applies hydrogen in a number of different capacities, providing a blueprint for other smaller regional areas in Europe to develop similar hydrogen hubs	120
LTH-Baas	The main product to be developed in this project is an alkaline electrolyzer system with a best-inclass electricity-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency	150
Stargate Hydrogen Solutions	The main product to be developed in this project is an alkaline electrolyzer system with a best-inclass electricity-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency	40
Port of Sillamäe	Establishing green hydrogen and ammonia production plant, that will use electricity from renewable sources of the local biofuel CHP and from electricity grid system connection	40
Skeleton Technologies	* Integration of Superbattery technology as a standard component into fuel cell drivetrains, exemplified by applications in stationary energy storage systems, automotive applications and rail transport * Development and scaled production of Superbattery systems designed for fuel cell support applications, as product group “Fuel Cell Boost”	30
Port of Tallinn	Building of : 1. On-shore-power supply for cruise vessels at Old City Harbour 2. The ice-class ferry on hydrogen 3. Hydrogen export-import terminal in Pakriranna, Paldiski 4. large-scale hydrogen refuelling station (HRS)	635
Hydrogen Technologies	Development and construction of hydrogen production plant/refueling station using plasma-chemical production method, to supply hydrogen to the road transport sector Development and construction of SAF (e-kerosene) fuel production plant, using plasma-chemical method to produce hydrogen and carbon black as vital components for e-Fuels such as e-kerosene. o Establishment of a pan-European network for the implementation of plasma-chemical methodologies for Hydrogen production and the exchange of knowledge	12

on April 14, 2021 at 10:00 – 12:40 (EEST) in Zoom – Register here

Many countries and organisations are in the middle of defining their hydrogen policies, roadmaps and strategies. Expectations are high that this old but newly re-discovered renewable energy carrier will play an important role in reaching the climate targets and it seems to be inevitable that hydrogen will shape our future energy sector. The question is: who will be the first to mobilise their forces and what happens to those who will not come along?

Read more

The IPCEI call was launched on 08^th March 2021 by Enterprise Estonia.
The deadline for proposals is 30^th March 2021.
Template for applications.

Want to know more, join the webinar on 18^th March 2021.

Hydrogen technologies, instead of catenary electrification need to be developed for our railway.

The Estonian Association of Hydrogen Technologies proposes to take up hydrogen technologies instead of catenary electrification. Hydrogen technologies would save €350 million for the state and compared to catenary electrification allows reaching Estonia’s climate goals by 3 times and renewable energy targets 6 times cheaper.

In the proposal sent to the ministries and parliament it is recommended to hold plans for electrification until a result is achieved on the deployment of hydrogen technologies on rail.

Reducing the carbon footprint in transportation and rail is one of the key challenges for Estonia in the coming years. The current plan is to achieve renewable energy goals by electrifying rail and it is expected to cost €428 million. The government made this principle decision in the summer of 2019 and Estonian Railways announced the procurement of design work in May this year.

It is now the last chance to make a strategic decision to adopt hydrogen technologies on rail, make Estonia lead the world in this field of technology, save €350 million for other projects and help us reach climate- and renewable energy goals times cheaper. The failure to make forward-looking decisions now would mean decades-long entanglement with yesterday’s wasteful technologies and an aggravation of the development gap. However, the savings effect of the introduction of next generation technologies would provide an additional opportunity to make additional investments in railways, such as achieving the speed of passenger traffic suitable for a modern European country.

By implementing these proposals, perhaps by 2030 it will be possible to travel from Tallinn to Tartu by a more efficient, cleaner hydrogen train instead of a diesel. With the money saved, opportunities could be created to improve the railway in the direction of Narva and Tartu, perhaps even allowing passenger trains at speeds beyond the current ambition of 135 km/h but also allowing for more efficient services, additional trains and smarter systems.”

The proposals also indicate that hydrogen production based on rail transport can be further developed to include hydrogen for road vehicles. With the introduction of hydrogen technology on the railway, it is possible to create preconditions for covering the whole of Estonia with universal hydrogen infrastructure.

Added 2020-07-03

Estonian Public Broadcasting:
“Tallinn-Viljandi line suitable for hydrogen powered train pilot section“.

Estonian Ministry of Environment initiated the hydrogen working group on 25^th October 2019. The goal is to analyze and set up The Hydrogen Roadmap for Estonia. Usage of hydrogen and fuel cell technology are the key elements guiding Estonia to the carbon-neutral economy to achieve climate targets.

The current meeting was to follow up Hydrogen Initiative signed by Estonia 2018 in Linz (Austria). Estonian Climate and Energy committee, which is led by prime minister analyzed the climate and economic impacts to achieve EU climate neutrality by 2050.
On the 03^rd of October 2019 Estonia joined long term vision of EU climate neutrality 2050.

On kick-off meeting the first goal was set up, which is to issue Hydrogen Roadmap for Estonia. Next hydrogen working group meeting is scheduled in early November, where we are planning to discuss more specifically policy and technical measures to be considered.

Institute of Chemistry at the University of Tartu is hosting 7th Baltic Electrochemistry Conference.

November 4-7, 2018.

Confererence program.  The  Book of Abstracts of BEChem 2018.