EveryWh2ere award

The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Undertaking (FCH JU) presented the 2020 FCH JU Awards at the first European Hydrogen Week. Winning projects simplify and facilitate maintenance, speed up manufacturing and deploy clean fuel-cell technologies to the public to drive forward the energy transition. In addition, Hydrogen Europe Research have recognised talented young scientists for expanding access to sustainable, efficient fuel-cell technology for a wide range of high-impact applications.The Awards were presented online on 24 November 2020, with more than 1000 attendees signed up to applaud the strength and diversity of European fuel-cell innovation.

The first two awards — the Best Success Story and Best Innovation — were chosen by public vote from 21 nominees. 

On-site generation features in the Best Outreach award, which went to EVERYWH2ERE. The project has designed mobile fuel-cell generators that can power festivals, events and construction sites safely without the noise and pollution of diesel generators. Eight of the plug-and-play generators, built entirely from European components, are being trialled across Europe at events such as the Berlinale and Cannes Film Festival before commercialisation in 2025.

“This is a project that has made an exceptional effort in communication and outreach,” said Bart Biebuyck, Executive Director, FCH JU, who handed over the award. “EVERYWH2ERE will make hydrogen affordable to operate everywhere in European cities.”

“Hydrogen can be a key technology to reduce the impact of generators on construction sites and other temporary power in our cities. We spent a lot of time contacting stakeholders — not only at music events but at congresses and workshops,” added Stefano Barberis of RINA Consulting on behalf of the project. The consortium expects to use the generators at music events in 2021 and is contacting city stakeholders to validate the technology in urban environments.