Is it feasible and sustainable to use hydrogen gensets to improve the environmental footprint of cities? If so, in what capacity and which conditions need to be met to make hydrogen a viable alternative for cities? ICLEI, together with partners and city practitioners involved in the EVERYWH2ERE project, developed a Practical Check for local governments and stakeholders considering the application of fuel cell hydrogen gensets to achieve local sustainability targets in their cities.

Construction sites, festivals, markets, and harbours are part of Europe’s urban life. Many such activities, however, rely on external power delivery, mostly through fuel-based generators, with negative impacts not only on the urban environment, but on urban air quality and noise pollution levels. Finding more sustainable solutions to power these events is therefore a necessity for local governments seeking to achieve their energy and climate targets while maintaining city life. Hydrogen has been debated for many years as a potentially promising alternative energy carrier and has grown in prominence also among local governments and officials. In this practical check and guide, ICLEI and partners provide a comprehensive and practical assessment of the hydrogen conversation and the framework conditions that need to be in place to make it a viable solution for local energy transitions.

The guide provides an assessment of the European policy framework around emissions stemming from the use of Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) before conveying an understanding of the feasibility and sustainability of using hydrogen to power such applications. It enables local governments to place the use of fuel cell gensets for such events within the larger debate on hydrogen and relevant EU support policies and outlines the role of sustainable public procurement for the uptake of innovative solutions, such as hydrogen gensets.

Access the full resource “Practical Check! Considering the application of fuel cell hydrogen gensets in cities” here.