At the National Green Hydrogen Congress held in the Casa Colón Conference Centre, the Centro Nacional del Hidrógeno (CNH2) led a pivotal workshop under the HYPOP project, titled “Abordando las barreras en el sector del hidrógeno” (“Tackling barriers in the hydrogen sector”). The session, part of the European HYPOP initiative, aimed to dissect and address key barriers hindering hydrogen development across Europe.
Hosted by CNH2 experts Gema Rodado and María Panadero, the 45-minute session used an interactive format to maximize engagement. Attendees participated through live responses via QR-linked forms, allowing real-time input and feedback across six structured questions addressing core challenges in hydrogen permitting, security, and certification.
Exploring the HYPOP Project
The session kicked off with an overview of the HYPOP project, outlining its objectives, consortium composition, and project phases. Emphasis was placed on the project’s role in mapping regulatory, safety, and certification frameworks for hydrogen technologies within Spain and beyond.
Regulatory Complexities and Stakeholder Perspectives
One of the main highlights was the discussion on permitting, security, and certification—identified as critical hurdles in hydrogen deployment. The workshop revealed considerable disparity in regulations across European nations, underlining the need for harmonized frameworks. Audience feedback spotlighted regulatory ambiguity, lack of certifying authorities, and the need for improved training among officials.
Survey Insights: Sector-Wide Barriers
The live survey, completed by 33 participants, uncovered valuable insights:
- Value Chain Diversity: Respondents came from varied backgrounds, including electrolysis, storage, permitting, engineering, emergency services, and academia.
- Authorities and Responsibilities: There was confusion about which bodies were responsible for hydrogen project approvals, highlighting governance complexity at national, regional, and local levels.
- Key Challenges: Issues such as lack of standardized certification protocols, safety risks (e.g., H2 flammability), and economic concerns (e.g., funding and market demand) were prominent.
CertifHy and ISO/SAE standards were among the few known guidelines, suggesting limited awareness of existing certification frameworks.
Open Dialogue and Community Building
The session closed with an open floor discussion. Stakeholders voiced concerns over fragmented governmental coordination and the difficulty in securing qualified certification bodies. Importantly, a call was made for better public awareness campaigns and unified communication strategies to promote hydrogen safety and viability.
To continue the dialogue, CNH2 promoted the HYPOP online community, encouraging stakeholders to stay connected and informed.
A Path Forward
With over 50 participants, including representatives from public authorities, private companies, academia, and international associations, the workshop underscored the critical importance of collaboration. The HYPOP project stands as a key initiative in bridging gaps and driving forward Europe’s hydrogen ambitions through shared knowledge, regulatory alignment, and capacity building.
For more, the full recording of the session is available on YouTube and highlights can be seen on LinkedIn.
