Recent years have represented a pivotal moment for hydrogen technologies, marking their transition from pilot-scale experimentation to early commercial deployment. Globally, around 95 hydrogen supply projects reached Final Investment Decision (FID), according to the Global Hydrogen Review 2025, corresponding to nearly 1 Mtpa of potential low-emissions hydrogen production capacity. More than 50 projects entered operation during this period, while the total number of projects under construction rose to 340 worldwide. Global spending was estimated at USD 4.3 billion in 2024, representing an 80% increase compared to 2023, and reached nearly USD 8 billion in 2025, driven by larger project scales and higher capital intensity.

In Europe, the REPowerEU framework has translated strategic plans into concrete outcomes, including the commissioning of renewable hydrogen production facilities, the expansion of electrolyser manufacturing capacity, and the deployment of operational hydrogen applications across industry and transport. Investments have focused primarily on electrolysis-based projects, particularly in Europe and China, while in the United States a larger share has been directed toward CCUS-equipped hydrogen production. By end use, hydrogen production for refineries and industrial facilities accounted for more than 50% of total investment, followed by hydrogen-based fuels (~25%) and road transport applications (~10%).

Despite this progress, the current phase of deployment has clearly demonstrated that substantial research and innovation efforts remain essential to enable hydrogen systems that are scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable. While fuel cell technologies have achieved significant advances in efficiency, durability, and operational reliability, further research is required on materials, lifetime performance, degradation mechanisms, and recyclability, particularly for heavy-duty and continuous-operation applications. Similarly, electrolyser technologies demand continued investigation into large-scale performance, dynamic operation under variable renewable inputs, critical raw material reduction, and advanced manufacturing processes.

This period has also highlighted the central role of system integration as a key research challenge. Hydrogen is no longer viewed as a standalone energy vector, but rather as a fundamental component of hybrid and sector-coupled energy systems, integrating renewable electricity, storage, power electronics, digital control, and end-use technologies. Real-world demonstrations in transport, ports, airports, and industrial energy supply have revealed critical research gaps related to infrastructure design, safety and certification frameworks, control strategies, and operational optimization under real duty cycles.

In this context, EFCH2 2026 aims to provide a high-level scientific and technological forum to address these open challenges. The conference will place strong emphasis on research-driven solutions, bridging fundamental science, applied engineering, and large-scale demonstration activities. By fostering dialogue among academia, research organizations, industry, and policymakers, EFCH2 2026 will contribute to shaping the next generation of hydrogen technologies, supporting their transition from early deployment to robust, scalable, and economically viable solutions for the energy transition.

The 12th edition of the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Piero Lunghi Conference (EFCH2 2026) will take place in Italy, in the unique setting of Capri, and is recognized as one of the most important international conferences in the field of hydrogen technologies and fuel cells. EFCH2 2026 provides a unique opportunity to showcase the latest scientific and technological advancements, establish new collaborations, and promote the exchange of technical, industrial, and commercial knowledge.

The event will bring together academics, researchers, industry professionals, and public-sector representatives to share research results and operational experiences covering all aspects of hydrogen technologies, fuel cells, and clean energy systems. It serves as a premier interdisciplinary forum for discussing cutting-edge innovations, emerging trends, and critical challenges, while highlighting practical solutions already being implemented. By promoting the exchange of ideas and strategies, EFCH2 2026 fosters collaboration aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges of the energy transition.

Organized by ATENA (High Technology District in the field of Energy and Environment), ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), University “Parthenope” of Naples and University of California, Irvine, the conference builds on a long-standing tradition dating back to its first edition in 2005.

Authors and speakers are enthusiastically invited to engage in this event to promote international collaboration, enhance comprehension, and drive advancements in hydrogen technologies. The sharing of knowledge through presentations of research outcomes, current innovations, cutting-edge developments, and new concepts will serve as core aspect of the conference framework.

If you have any inquiries or concerns regarding the submission process, or if you would like to propose a topic not included int he list, please reach out to info@europeanfuelcells.com.

A variety of presentation sessions will be available to offer flexibility for authors. All sessions will preserve the highest standards of quality.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE
This event welcomes everyone with a passion for hydrogen technologies, fuel cells, and clean energy. Whether you represent political influence, academia, research, industry, or the public sector, or if you're simply eager to explore cleaner, greener energy solutions, EFCH₂ 2026 promises cutting-edge insights and invaluable connections.

Join us for a unique opportunity to enhance international collaboration, expand perspectives, and drive initiatives within the fields of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The sharing of knowledge through presentations of research findings, pioneering breakthroughs, and innovative concepts will be the driving force behind the conference program.

Don't miss your chance to be part of this exciting journey toward a sustainable energy future!

CONFERENCE SCOPE
‍The European Fuel Cells Technology & Applications - Piero Lunghi Conference is dedicated to exploring the international landscape of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The conference aims to provide updates on short, medium, and long-term R&D efforts, highlighting current advancements and critical areas for future exploration; identify emerging applications and potential markets for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across various sectors, including transportation and energy storage; discuss the influence of government initiatives and international agreements on the growth and adoption of these technologies, emphasizing the need for a supportive policy environment. Last but not least, it aspires to analyze pathways to decarbonization and the role of hydrogen in future energy systems, encouraging forward-thinking discussions on climate goals.

Overall, it serves as a collaborative platform for experts, industry leaders, and policymakers to share knowledge, inspire innovation, and shape the future of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

AREAS OF INTEREST
The Symposium will address various topics related to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, with a strong emphasis on their applications.

Topics surround all aspects of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, emphasizing their applications. The list below outlines the main themes but is not intended to be exhaustive.

The conference will cover abroad spectrum of hydrogen, fuel cell, and electrolysis-related topics, from production technologies to cutting-edge applications across sectors.

Key areas of focus include, but are not limited to, materials innovation, advanced component manufacturing, numerical modelling, system integration, safety protocols, policy frameworks, and comprehensive market and environmental analyses.

We welcome submissions that present groundbreaking research, innovative solutions, transformative technologies, and forward-thinking perspectives and analyses that will shape the hydrogen economy of the future.

1. Hydrogen Production
1.1. Electrolysis (PEM, Alkaline, AEM, SOEC, PCC, MCEC)
1.2. Thermochemical & Photochemical Processes
1.3. Biological Hydrogen Production
1.4. Low carbon hydrogen (e.g., SMR with CCUS, Nuclear Hydrogen, etc.)
1.5. Hydrogen from Biomass and Waste
1.6. Water Use and Low Quality Water Electrolysis (e.g. Sea-Water)

2. Hydrogen Storage and Distribution
2.1. Solid Hydrogen Storage (e.g. metal hydrides, MOFs and others)
2.2. Gaseous Hydrogen Storage
2.3. Liquid and Cryo-Compressed Hydrogen Storage
2.4. Hydrogen Infrastructure (Pipelines, Tankers, Trucks)
2.5. Hydrogen Blending in Natural Gas Grids
2.6. Natural Gas Grid Transformation
2.7. Hydrogen Derivatives and Carriers (e.g., ammonia, LOHC, methanol)
2.8. Hydrogen Refilling Stations
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3. Fuel Cells technologies
3.1. Fuel Cells: components, stack, system (PEMFC, SOFC, AFC, MCFC)
3.2. Fuel Cells for Transportation (Cars, Buses, Trucks)
3.3. Fuel Cells for Heavy Duty & Freight Transport (Trains, Aircraft, Marine)
3.4. Fuel Cells for Stationary Power Generation
3.5. Portable and Backup Power Applications

4. Hydrogen End-Use applications
4.1. Hydrogen for Industrial Processes (Steel, Cement, Chemicals)
4.2. Hydrogen as Energy Storage Medium (e.g. Hybrid Systems with Renewable Energy)
4.3. Sector Coupling and Power-to-X
4.4. Next-Generation Hydrogen Fuels (Power-to-fuel)
4.5. Hydrogen as a Decarbonization Pathway

5. Hydrogen Economy and Sustainability
5.1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Social LCA
5.2. Techno-economic assessment (TEA)
5.3. Green Hydrogen and Carbon-Free Technologies
5.4. Hydrogen’s Role in Achieving Climate Targets (Net-Zero Goals)
5.5. Hydrogen Hubs and International Trade
5.6. Hydrogen Valleys

6. Hydrogen Policy, Market, and Business Models
6.1. National and Regional Hydrogen Strategies
6.2. Global Hydrogen Supply Chains
6.3. Economic Analysis and Market Forecasts
6.4. Hydrogen Pricing and Incentives
6.5. Hydrogen Safety Codes and Standards

7. Hydrogen Innovation and Future Trends
7.1. Emerging Hydrogen Technologies
7.2. Breakthroughs in Catalysts, Electrodes, Membranes
7.3. Innovative Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Artificial Intelligence Tools in Hydrogen Systems
7.4. Microbial and Bioelectrochemical Technologies