Decarbonising islands using renewable energies and hydrogen - H2 Islands

The project should cover the following main objectives:

• Showcase the ability of hydrogen and its associated technologies to decarbonize islands in EU and worldwide through this renewable hydrogen flagship project. For this reason, the project should be implemented in a location with high communication visibility;
• Cover the complete value chain of H2 from production to distribution, storage and end-use in order to decarbonize islands with restricted connections and indigenous energy sources and with significant fluctuations in seasonal energy demand. The proposed solution should provide energy flexibility and improve the island’s system resilience through the use of renewable hydrogen, acting as a buffer;
• Demonstrate how hydrogen enables sector coupling and allows large integration of renewable energy on the selected island;
• Develop and promote the use of renewable hydrogen, energy efficiency and sectoral integration in applications related to intensive tourism

  Islands and island regions are confronted with a number of energy challenges due to their specific geographic and climatic conditions. In addition, islands’ economy is often largely based on tourism, which results in unbalanced seasonal energy demand, which puts a strain on natural resources and infrastructures. At the same time, these challenges represent great opportunities for EU Islands and island communities to showcase innovative solutions for the clean energy transition. Against this backdrop the European Commission, together with 14 Member States, signed the ""Political Declaration on Clean Energy For EU Islands"" [69] under the Maltese Presidency.

  Hydrogen and its associated technologies have the potential to support islands in addressing a number of challenges related to energy. Previous years’ initiatives, as Hydrogen Valleys in the FCH 2 JU call 2019, were focused on defined geographical areas where several hydrogen applications were integrated within an FCH ecosystem. Although

  Depending on the chosen applications, KPIs should be defined and aligned with the Multi Annual Working Plan (MAWP) 2024 targets [74]. The project should also address the techno-economic objectives as defined in the MAWP and in particular:

  • Showcase the versatility of hydrogen in the frame of the clean energy transition and as an enabler to sectoral integration within the island geographical area;
  • Show evidences of the GHG reduction potential in the islands and identify the contribution of such concept in the EU 2030 GHG reduction targets;
  • Showcase an unprecedented scale of H2 Islands’ concept in the EU, and demonstrate the sustainability of the solutions proposed and of the business model associated;
  • Demonstrate the replicability of the solutions proposed to other islands in EU and worldwide;
  • Promote ‘green tourism’ concept by providing green energy supplies and balancing seasonal imbalances;
  • Develop synergies and promote further de