ADD2085 Participation in EU funded project, HyLAW.

Section 2.2 of DD2014 (re. Hydrogen London Partnership Budget and Expenditure 2016/17) outlines that Hydrogen London occasionally needs to respond to new opportunities and the HyLAW bid was identified as an important funding call that links to hydrogen & fuel cell technology in London & Europe. Staff time will not be impacted on 2016-17 planned projects and future commitments to the project will be formally outlined in the Directors Decision relating to 2017-18. The work is aligned with wider Hydrogen London Partnership activities.

The GLA will receive an income of approximately £24,000 (28,750 Euros) over two years in return for GLA staff time and expenses. This project will require no further expenditure from GLA funds.

By identifying legal rules and administrative processes and barriers relating to Fuel Cell and Hydrogen technologies’ deployment, highlighting good practice and advocating the removal of hurdles, HyLAW will enable increased development of hydrogen fuel cell technologies (HFC) technology across the EU, the UK - and more specifically London - bringing with it the associated environmental and economic benefits to the capital.

The fuel cells and hydrogen (FCH) industry has made considerable progress toward market deployment. However existing legal framework and administrative processes– covering areas such as planning, safety, installation and operation – only reflect use of incumbent technologies. The limited awareness of FCH technologies in Legal Administrative Processes (LAPs), the lack of informed national and local administrations and the uncertainty on the legislation applicable to FCH technologies elicit delays and extra-costs, when they do not deter investors or clients.

The project will focus on five core objectives:

CREATE: a coherent database (on an external website established by project co-ordinators, Hydrogen Europe) covering 17 Member States (MS) and 1 associated State to be built as an EU benchmark reflecting the current status of Legal Administrative Processes (LAPs) for deployment, installation and operation for each of the key fuel cell and hydrogen domains, namely mobility, stationary fuel cells and hydrogen generation / storage / distribution and network integration – covering interface with renewable energy systems for H2 generation and network interface for the distribution of H2, energy and electro-chemical by products such as heat and cooling

MEASURE: utilise the database details collected to assess the impact of delays in deployment caused through LAPs as a means to also identify significant variations and ‘best practice’ approaches implemented locally, regionally or/and nationally

INFORM: provide accessibility via a single portal to information about FCH technologies already deployed and how regulatory and LAP arrangements were addressed – ensuring relevance to the different parties involved (installers, users, operators, planners, related agencies) and act as the basis for national policy papers

COMPARE: ensure interaction and understanding of FCH technologies and FCH products - reactive experience with products and LAPs to underline the fact that solutions can and have been found in the EC (and potentially elsewhere – Japan, USA) and to reinforce the commercial readiness of the sector with products that are currently entering the market and which need amendments, addendums and best practice recognition
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COMMUNICATE AND DISSEMINATE: provide a coherent communication strategy and meet the dissemination needs of different FCH sectors and different member states. Given the diversity of audience interests and responsibilities (covering FCH technology installers, users, operators, planners, related agencies and authorities), it is essential to effectively communicate the right messages to the right recipients. This may require different communication and dissemination strategies across the FCH technology sectors and for different interests in different Member States.

Outcomes of the project:
1. A unique online database allowing easy identification, description and assessment of LAPs by country and FCH application.
2. Policy papers by applications and by country with identification of best practice and recommendations for adapting LAP.
3. A series of national and European workshops with public authorities and investors.
4. Increased engagement with leaders in the HFC sector in Europe

No special gender, religion or sex orientation equality issue is expected to arise as a result of taking part in this project. If any issue will arise, it will be promptly resolved at as a part of the daily project management.

a) key risks and issues

Due to the scale of the HyLAW project, the fact that GLA staff time will be financed by the FCH-JU and that the work is aligned with the GLA and the Hydrogen London Partnership no risks or issues are identified.

b) links to Mayoral strategies and priorities

The Mayor has highlighted that tackling air quality is a key priority to “Restore London’s air quality to legal and safe levels, with action to make travel greener and this will be outlined in the London Environment Strategy (draft consultation expected in May).

Working to encourage the continued development of Hydrogen & Fuel Cell technology will enable increased technology options to provide zero and ultra-low emission solutions for transport, portable energy and the built environment.

c) impact assessments and consultations

Not applicable due to the scale of this project

5.1 There will be no GLA net cash contribution to this project. The GLA will receive funding of income of approximately £24,000 (28,750 Euros) (in return for GLA staff time and expenses (including travel to key European Events and meetings) in 2016/17 and 2017/18.