Regione Toscana: H2 Filiera Idrogeno project

The Region of  Tuscany, for three years, is involved in the “Progetto H2 Filiera Idrogeno” which goal is to achieve a clean and sustainable mobility through the study of hydrogen-powered cars.

CIPE has funded the project, entrusted to the University of Pisa-Faculty of Engineering with the support of the Sant’Anna School, for an amount equal to about 5 million.

The Tuscany Region has been involved in the project, so it was possible to exploit the strengths of the territory (the presence of vast expertise in the field of technological research, large chemical companies, potential producers of hydrogen, the presence of companies related to the production of vehicles and implementation of systems for hydrogen production and distribution and ultimately the availability of local authorities to collaborate in the testing of vehicle fleets and distribution systems) to start a trial of “supply chain”, ie the activation at local scale of all components required by a mobility system based on hydrogen. The project “Progetto H2 Filiera Idrogeno” has, therefore, the ambition to transform this set of assets in a coordinated and efficient territorial system that promotes technologies for the future of mobility.

The Project is being developed through the following phases:

  1. Research and innovation on H2 production, purification, storage and distribution technologies.
  2. Research and innovation on internal combustion engines production for light transport and passenger transport vehicles;
  3. Research and innovation on vehicles production and related components (design, electronics, onboard systems);
  4. Test and verification of proposed solutions;
  5. Analysis of economic and environmental impact;
  6. Analysis, control and contribution to the development of legislation;
  7. Networking and dissemination.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 in Florence, during the conference “Progetto H2 Filiera Idrogeno” were presented the first results of research and practical perspectives. During the meeting the Vice-President of the Tuscany Region with responsibility for research - Stella Targetti - said: ”I hope that, by 2012, at least one hydrogen-powered car, among Region of  Tuscany car service, can circulate in the city”.  In september 2011 will be prototyped a hydrogen zero-emission van, built on the basis of the Piaggio Porter. All components of the propulsion system are ready andcurrently being tested.

For further reading please click here and here.

Source Region of Tuscany