Second Roundtable of the BASREHRT project took place on the 28th of April 2022. It was also organized via web. The TEAMS session consisted of two parts; it started with a 90 minutes discussion by four experts in hydrogen and energetics sectors and followed by switching over to participate in the international off-shore wind energy event, hybrid conference WindWorks. Rethinking Energy in Riga. Off-shore wind-based electricity generation is seen as one major source of renewable energy giving also a good basis for green hydrogen production. Off-shore wind potential has been the topic of the first roundtable in Estonia. This time the scope has widened to collaboration between Estonia and Latvia, two partners in the frame of cooperation project BASREHRT.
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Project tHrive
Estonia was selected amongst the first group of Project tHrive regions
Last year, over 1000 projects were submitted to the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance (ECH2A) pipeline and as the map shows, Estonian stakeholders were very active from production to consumption. This was further bolstered by the Estonian hydrogen IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) submissions.
BASREHRT 1
Swedish Hydrogen Association Vätgas Sverige, Estonian Association of Hydrogen Technologies – EAHT and Latvian Hydrogen Association built up the first Round Table in the frame of BASREHRT project granted by the Swedish Institute on the 9th of February. Björn Aronson, the managing director of Vätgas Sverige opened the common TEAMS session with an introduction about the project’s general idea and principles of involving major actors in three countries around the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Experts Roundtable is devoted to initiating a common platform to work with top-level, highly qualified experts in the field of renewable energy sources and hydrogen. The work is aimed towards climate mitigation via decarbonisation of the economies by introducing innovative technologies,efficient energy carrier, hydrogen, and building common infrastructure for wider deployment of wind and solar energy.
Cooperation project BASREHRT
The plan to reach carbon neutrality or at least to move towards the significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 has been accepted in most of European countries around. Hydrogen has its’ certain role to play in achieving this quite an ambitious goal. Constituent step-wise transfer from fossil fuels to carbon free renewable energy sources like wind, solar, hydro, biomass, is no doubt, one of the most significant alternatives on the road to economy with smaller carbon content. The states around the Baltic Sea highly prioritize this alternative in climate mitigation and emphasize on wider deployment of green hydrogen as an efficient energy carrier worked out from renewable energy sources.
Estonian Government backs Hydrogen IPCEI
Estonia received 23 hydrogen project applications in IPCEI call with the total value of € 1.5 billion.
Three Estonian companies got the government support to develop of hydrogen IPCEI projects:
Government Press release.
Coverage from the Estonian Hydrogen Days 2021
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:
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.
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 😏.
Hydrogen Bicycle by Pragma Industries 
Unknown Hydrogen Device (UHD) 
Hydrogen Powered Drone by SKYCORP
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.”
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).
Estonian Hydrogen Week
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 5th and 6th 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 |
Estonian Hydrogen IPCEI
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.
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 |
Webinar “Hydrogen – Driver of the Estonian (green) future”
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?
Hydrogen IPCEI call
The IPCEI call was launched on 08th March 2021 by Enterprise Estonia.
The deadline for proposals is 30th March 2021.
Template for applications.
Want to know more, join the webinar on 18th March 2021.