The aim of SET4H2 is to provide organisational, logistical and secretarial support to a new Implementation Working Group (IWG) on hydrogen within the revamped European Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan. This includes refining the IWG's mission and identity, finalising the Implementation Plan (IP), and identifying opportunities to collaborate with other SET Plan stakeholders and relevant European and international hydrogen initiatives. The IWG on hydrogen provides a valuable opportunity to maintain the community of researchers, industry representatives, members of the public, administrators and policymakers established during the European Research Area (ERA) pilot initiative entitled 'Agenda Process on Green Hydrogen' (2020–2022). Building on the results of a comprehensive, pan-European strategy-building process, the new IWG can achieve faster progress in implementing the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which was created through close consultation between the European Commission and 30 participating Member States and associated countries. Recognising the systemic role and importance of hydrogen in the future energy system, the IWG aims to establish stronger links between the SET Plan's thematic areas related to hydrogen. The IWG's activities will support research, development and innovation (R&D&I) in hydrogen technologies across the entire value chain, addressing cross-cutting issues. Adopting a long-term research perspective until 2050 for the implementation of funding and support measures will enable the creation of a roadmap for the full transition that encompasses all technology readiness levels and technological approaches to producing, storing, transporting and using renewable hydrogen, even in hard-to-abate sectors. Technological neutrality and diversification are sensible approaches that can increase Europe’s future resilience, providing tailored solutions that achieve high productivity and energy/cost efficiency, as well as sustainability, in different regional contexts.
