The aim of this cooperation is to prepare and implement activities advancing the comprehensive utilisation of hydrogen in the Ústí Region, especially of hydrogen created during technological processes of the local firms. Hydrogen will be processed, distributed and widely used in the region as a pure, zero carbon source of energy (e.g. to develop zero-emission transport in the Ústí Region). And it is namely the closed loop of generation, distribution and utilisation of hydrogen why this project is absolutely unique in the Czech Republic.

 

“Chemistry and energy have always been strong pillars of the Ústí Region’s economy, driving all the innovations. Today, we are again building on these pillars, with the environment and clean energy being at the forefront of our interest. Hydrogen-based energy seems to be one of the most environmentally friendly sources of energy. We see it both as an opportunity and as energy of the future,” First Deputy Regional Governor Martin Klika noted on the plan.

 

“This decision not only has a highly positive environmental potential, but it also creates significant economic benefits for companies in the Ústí Region,” adds Martin Mata, Director of the Innovation Centre of the Ústí Region.

 

Hydrogen is very likely to be first applied in the regional capital’s transport services. “In 2019, the Ministry of Regional Development offered almost CZK 2 billion as part of the specific calls within the Integrated Regional Operational Programme initiated by the RE:START strategy for the purchase of low-emission vehicles for public transport, i.e. also the ones powered by hydrogen drives. But the potential of the hydrogen use is much wider and is one of the key projects that will once entirely change the Ústí Region,” says Gabriela Nekolová, Chairwoman of the Economic and Social Council of the Ústí Region.

 

But collaboration related to hydrogen-based energy and economy will also take place in research. “Hydrogen has a great potential and its application brings major research challenges. That is why we will among others focus on basic research targeting safe hydrogen storage in cooperation with the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, Czech Technical University and other institutions of higher education. We are also working to establish a specialty as part of the study field of Energy which will focus on clean energy,” explains Martin Balej, Rector of Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí and Labem.