Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research for Future Markets

The hydrogen economy is regarded as a vector to increase energy and environmental security. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies could be an element of a coherent energy strategy. Industrial competitiveness could be achieved by investing in these technologies. A possible shift to hydrogen as an energy carrier in addition to the presently used electricity, heat, natural gas, gasoline or diesel needs strong efforts by the private and public sectors in research, development, demonstration and market introduction measures to achieve at a competitive market share. The paper describes future market expectations and national, European and international programmes and initiatives to fulfill such expectations.