The thrust behind Prepar-H2 is driven by a study-matrix composed in Hy-Approval and HyFLEET:CUTE which revealed that social studies carried out in context with hydrogen demonstrations often lacked substantiation and consisted of preset and repetitive questionnaires than revealing dialogues. Often technical and demonstration projects, like some of the national projects referenced here, use vast resources for hardware while neglecting the human interface and cultural variations of both public and private perceptions as well as economic aspects. Integrating lessons learned from these H2 projects, Prepar-H2 will upgrade the social matrix through progressive interviews from a cross-disciplinary approach by involving all stakeholders throughout the entire duration of the project. Applying the same method and having accessibility to others who are involved with other alternative fuels, Prepar-H2 will simultaneously provide an economic comparison between H2, other alternative fuels and conventional fossil fuel. The final outcome will be systematic social and economic data sets providing grounds for accompanying measures in future hydrogen lighthouse projects. More importantly, findings from Prepar-H2 will not only be applicable to future lighthouse projects but also have the flexibility to be applied to other H2 projects thereby successfully promoting H2 in societies through a thorough social and economic understanding of all stakeholders’ perceptions, attitudes and actions.
Involved in this project are five partners, including Icelandic New Energy, who will be acting at the coordinator. The others include:
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Stiftelsen for Industriell og Forskning ved Norges Tekniske Hogskole (SINTEF)
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Berlin University of Technology (TUB)
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H2-LINK Denmark Association (H2 Link)
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National Agency for New Technologies and the Environment (ENEA)
The duration of the projects is expected to be 18 months.
