The international workshop themed “Hydrogen for Clean Power and Mobility” was successfully held at Trakia University in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, on May 28-29, 2026. Initiated by Center of Excellence for Hydrogen Technologies -H2START, a key project funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme, and hosted by Trakia University, the event gathered experts and scholars in hydrogen energy from multiple European countries and China. Three professors from the China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy (ICARE), Huazhong University of Science and Technology, were invited to attend and deliver keynote presentations.
On the morning of May 28, Professor Alain THOREL delivered a presentation titled Why Hydrogen? ID Card and Some Stunning Answers to Rarely asked Questions. Starting with the fundamental properties of hydrogen energy, he analyzed its unique strengths as an energy carrier. With interesting facts and rhetorical questions, he guided the audience to re-examine hydrogen’s strategic role in the energy transition and addressed controversial issues that have drawn attention from both academia and the public. Both informative and academically insightful, his speech was well received.
Associate Professor Li Song presented a report entitled Hydrogen Storage and Transport Technologies: Principles, Development and Recent Progress in China. She systematically explained the principles and application scenarios of mainstream technologies including high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage, cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage and solid-state hydrogen storage, and highlighted the breakthrough achievements China has made in hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure development, materials research and engineering applications. The presentation not only showcased China's technological advances, but also provided useful references for China-EU cooperation in the hydrogen energy supply chain.
On the morning of May 29, Professor Christian BEAUGER delivered a presentation titled PEM Electrolysis: The Catalyst Issue. Focusing on the core material system of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, he thoroughly analyzed the technical bottlenecks of catalysts in terms of activity, stability and cost control. Combining his team's latest research findings, he explored feasible approaches to non-precious metal catalysts and innovative electrode structure designs, offering valuable insights for the production of high-efficiency and low-cost green hydrogen.
The conference built a high-end platform for scholars across Europe and Asia to exchange views on key hydrogen energy technologies. The three professors' presentations fully demonstrated ICARE’s distinctive educational philosophy: integrating Chinese and European resources and combining research with teaching. They also further enhanced the institute's international academic influence in hydrogen energy research. Moving forward, ICARE will continue to advance high-level international research cooperation and contribute expertise to the global green and low-carbon energy transition.
