Battey Manufacturing Workshop – 25 April 2024
After Executive VP Maroš Šefčovič announced €3 billion in funding for EU battery value chains, H2IF attended a stakeholder workshop on battery manufacturing recently, focused on the possible funding instruments to be made available. Three possible instruments were discussed in the workshop: collaboration with the EIB, a dedicated auction, and a call for the Innovation Fund. Every route has advantages and disadvantages, such as variations in funding coverage and application intensity. The DG CLIMA team gathered input from the industry and distributed a survey to InnovFund battery stakeholders in order to identify common application barriers. Presentations from specialists and InnovFund winners were given at the event, providing insightful information on financing for batteries.
Stakeholder workshop – 11 June 2024
H2IF partners EASE, CLERENS, and Zabala Innovation Europe were present at the stakeholders’ consultation for the IF24 call for proposals today, held by the Innovation Fund (IF). An overview of the most recent IF Call and Auction results kicked off the event. Presentations on cutting-edge mechanisms like grant-as-a-service and auction-as-a-service, as well as the Open PDA for a quicker application process, came next. Through votes and open questions, participants offered their opinions on possible simplifications to the IF application process, award criteria, and GHG methodology.
During the Cleantech Manufacturing, Renewable Energy Use, and Energy Storage sessions that H2IF attended, Patrick Clerens of EASE shared his insights from the H2 and ES sectors. Options for implementing the Resilience criterion in Innovation Fund (IF) applications were examined in another battery manufacturing session. The perspectives of hydrogen and energy storage were actively shared during the discussions by H2IF partners. The organisation of the event and the facilitation of significant contributions to the IF 2024 application process were commended.
European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) – 11-13 June 2024
H2IF attended sessions on energy storage, sustainable finance, innovative sustainable energy solutions, and energy renovation during the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW2024) in Brussels in mid-June. Notably, Deputy Director General for Energy Mechthild Wörsdörfer was interviewed during a session that was introduced by Doriana Forleo, from CLERENS. The occasion gave EU-funded projects, associations, and other organisations a great chance to network and showcase their work and outcomes. In addition to anticipating EUSEW2025, H2IF concentrated on establishing and enhancing relationships with partners.
