Designing a competitive bidding tool to fund hydrogen innovation: stakeholder consultation

The European Commission’s Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for low-carbon energy technologies. On top of the Innovation Fund’s current grants programme, we are developing a new way to raise funds for innovation in the hydrogen sector: competitive bidding (also known as auctioning). We want to consult the industry to help design this new tool. Specifically, we will discuss the potential of Contracts for Difference and Carbon Contracts for Difference.

If your industry is involved with hydrogen (e.g. steel manufacturing, chemicals, synthetic fuels, hydrogen project developers...) this event is for you. Register today.

This is a hybrid event. While virtual participation is unlimited, please be aware that in-person places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.  A recording of the event will also be made available for those who could not attend. Please register by 17 November 2022.

Programme:

09:00 - 09:15 : Welcome by DG CLIMA

09:15 - 09:30 :  Why Competitive Bidding? Rationale under REPowerEU and fit with the existing public funding landscape

• Presentation by DG CLIMA

09:30 - 10:15 : Competitive bidding mechanisms under the IF: design possibilities and options currently considered

• Presentation by the Project Team
• Q&A

10:15 - 10:30 : Coffee break

10:30 - 10:50 : Potential design of a hydrogen supply-side auction for a Contract-for-Difference

• Presentation by the Project Team

10:50 - 10:00 : Q&A

11:00 - 13:15 : Discussion on key design elements

• Key pre-qualifications criteria on product and bidders, how to set the system boundaries
• Choice of technology basket: overview and competitiveness of electrolysis technologies
• Choice of reference price and indexation, are there complementary price-hedging tools?
• Application of a ceiling price
• Role of offtake agreements
• Ensuring level playing field and the necessary level of competition
• Other relevant issues

13:15 - 14:30 : Lunch break

14:30 - 15:15 : Potential implementation of a demand-side hydrogen auction for a Carbon Contract-for-Difference (CCfD)

• Presentation by the Project Team
• Q&A

15:15 - 15:30 : Coffee break

15:30 - 17:30 : Discussion on key elements of design

• Key pre-qualifications criteria on product and bidders, how to set the system boundaries
• Choice of technology basket: overview and competitiveness of electrolysis technologies
• Choice of reference price and indexation, are there complementary price-hedging tools?
• Application of ceiling price
• Role of offtake agreements
• Ensuring level playing field and the necessary level of competition
• Other relevant issues

This event is organised by the European Commission, with speakers from Fraunhofer ISI, Guidehouse, and ICF.

Documents:

• Slides
• Poll results