3rd Biannual Newsletter

CHIC one year later….

The Clean Hydrogen In European Cities Project was officially launch in November 2010, and more than a year later the project has seen extensive progress in each of the cities and regions involved. Public transport operations of Fuel Cell Hydrogen (FCH) Buses commenced in Cologne, Hamburg, and London. While Oslo and Aargau have begun testing their first buses, Milan is expecting their first buses delivered before the end of 2011.

The CHIC project has established an important milestone for hydrogen infrastructure developments within the past year. Although a few cities are able to utilize existing refuelling facilities, new hydrogen stations have been completed and in service in Cologne and London; progress is being seen on the building of new hydrogen stations and production facilities in Hamburg, Oslo, Aargau, Milan, and Bolzano/Bozen. Let us not forget our transatlantic friends in Whistler, Canada who have continued and improved their fleet of 20 FCH buses in regular operation.

New cities and regions that have interests in hydrogen bus deployment are also able to contact the CHIC project to learn more on the steps and integration of Clean Hydrogen In their European City through the Phase 2 help-line.

2011 has been a productive and exciting year for the CHIC project. As we step into 2012, CHIC will be taking clean public transport a few steps further one bus stop at a time.

Milan Hydrogen Buses “Green” Design

All new buses in Milan have been given a sleek new “Green” look! The CHIC FCH Buses will be part of the city’s Green ambitions, with the evident H2 Logo on the side, these buses will be put into regular public service in February 2012.  

The Green Look of Milan’s new fleet is meant to signify the steps the city is taking to deploy cleaner buses which emit less CO2 then the conventional fleets.
This month, December 2011, the first CHIC buses supplied by bus manufacturer Daimler EvoBus will arrive in Milan. The hydrogen fuelled into the buses will be produced in a large part from solar energy. The refuelling station will be facilitated by Hydrogen supplier, Linde.

First Oslo Bus in Testing

The first prototype of the CHIC FCH bus for Oslo is being testing in Belgium by Van Hool Bus Manufacturer.

Buses for the CHIC cities are supplied by bus manufacturers (Daimler EvoBus and WrightBus, and Van Hool) which build each bus to fit the requirements for the operations within the city/region of the CHIC project.  The Oslo buses are custom built for the deployment in the regular public transport fleet in Oslo with length of 13 meters long and fitting 37 seated passengers.

All 5 Oslo buses will be delivered to Oslo in March 2012. Residents will start to see the buses in regular transport service in the Spring 2012 in time for summer.

Behind the Wheel of a Fuel Cell Hydrogen Bus

In November 2011, Aargau’s first Fuel Cell Hydrogen Bus was delivered and began driver testing and training. 

During the test drives the drivers experienced the FCH bus for the first time, with the opportunity, the CHIC dissemination team took the time to get to know the drivers and their first impressions of the new bus, the driving method, and what they think of the CHIC project in Switzerland.

In an interview with the Mr. Tom Krieger, PostBus driver Mr. Krieger responds on his first impressions of driving the hydrogen bus, “It is a very nice ride,  because it is does not have the vibrations and shakes of the combustion engine. It is much more powerful than I expected from an electric vehicle.”

Bolzano/Bozen Hydrogen Production Plant in Progress

The first renewable hydrogen production plant in Bolzano/Bozen is being built!

The production plant will use renewable hydro-power to produce hydrogen via electrolysis. The renewable hydrogen produced in this plant will be used to refuel the 5 CHIC Fuel Cell Hydrogen (FCH) buses other hydrogen vehicles deployed in the region.

Built by the Brenner Highway Company A22, operation of the plant will begin in 2012. the Institute for Innovative Technologies (IIT) will be responsible for the procurement, and operation of the production equipment and refuelling station. Financial support for the production plant and is received from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Handover Ceremony of the European Green Capital

On 15 December, 2011, the European Commission officially hand over the “European Green Capital” title from Hamburg, Germany to Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, further promoting sustainable transport initiatives throughout Europe. During the Ceremony EU Commissioner for Environment Janez Potocnik passes the “Green Book” from Michael Sachs of Hamburg, to Javier Maroto Aranzabal.

This exciting event marks the third year of the European Green Capital initiative, which recognises the important position local authorities play in improving the environment. With four out of five people living in urban areas throughout Europe today, promoting and showcasing best practice in cities is an excellent way to exchange ideas, strike up “friendly competition” and provide inspiration for green growth.