Le Mans University have launched the first edition of its CoLab ‘The future of hydrogen: a societal view’

On September 24 and 25th 2024, the COLOURS European University Alliance partners had the opportunity to discover the legendary Circuit Bugatti, its museum, and the socio-economic and environmental impact that such infrastructure could have on the local area and beyond. The CoLab was a great opportunity to bring together enterprises, local and European stakeholders to have a rich discussion on the challenges that territories face in using hydrogen as one of the means of ecological transition, considering social acceptability and economic challenges.

As part of the Le Mans Hydrogène initiative, the CoLab event brought together local and European stakeholders to address the pressing challenges of ecological transition. With hydrogen as a focal point, the event emphasized its role as a sustainable energy source. Esteemed participants included:

• Fabienne Lagarde, Vice-President for Higher Education, Research, and Innovation at Le Mans Ville et Métropole
• Dr. Fabien Bottini, holder of the 2040 Carbon Neutrality Chair at Le Mans University
• Nuria García from the CNH2 – Spanish National Hydrogen Center
• Industrial leaders such as Stéphane Gervais (IPMD), Philippe Jakubowski (Beeway LMI), and Christian Debowicz (Westfalen Weser)
• Borche Dimitrovski, Secretary of the municipality of Bitola
• Mikto Kostov, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola,
• Lucas Knorr, Research assistant, Paderborn University

The event, moderated by Professor Karim Adil, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on hydrogen’s socio-economic and environmental implications, focusing on its social acceptability and economic feasibility.

Key Insights from the CoLab Event

The CoLab discussions, attended by around 60 participants, including students, academics, and industry professionals, yielded valuable conclusions:

1. Hydrogen as Part of a Broader Solution: Hydrogen is a critical component of the ecological transition but must be complemented by other renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
2. Beyond Mobility: The energy transition extends beyond mobility solutions. Industrial sectors also need to adopt decarbonization measures to achieve significant climate goals.
3. Societal Acceptance: Acceptance of hydrogen as an energy source is crucial. Education and training, particularly at the undergraduate level, are essential to changing societal perceptions and promoting a better understanding of hydrogen’s potential.

The CoLab event also explored groundbreaking solutions in mobility and education. Discussions with Horizon Educational highlighted their innovative approach to teaching renewable energy technology to the next generation. By fostering engineering skills and environmental awareness, they pave the way for a greener future.