Guidelines for the assessment of lighthouse projects

Lighthouse projects bridge the gap between research/development and later markets. They are germ cells for subsequent broad commercialisation and they are to both initiate and prepare for this process.

They also serve to make hydrogen and fuel cell products and services known to the wider public, obtain initial practical experiences with these products and services, build the trust of future users and suppliers, in particular SMEs, as well as strengthen infrastructures and marketing and distribution systems.

Lighthouse projects have a high profile in the technological and geographical sense. They define the image of the innovative power of German industry at a crucial point and actively promote it.

In lighthouse projects, funding from the public sector, private investors and users are concentrated in such a way as to achieve the minimum level of technological competence and financial performance necessary for efficient research and development as well as successful demonstration. In this way, a good cost/effect ratio can be achieved for the German economy. For this reason, synergy potential is exploited and interdisciplinary cooperation promoted.

Die Projektinhalte müssen sich an den obigen Zielsetzungen ausrichten. Es ist zwischen technologischen, sozioökonomischen, ökologischen sowie infrastrukturellen Inhalten zu unterscheiden. Leuchtturm-Projekte sollen nach Möglichkeit aus allen Inhaltsgruppen Bestandteile angemessen integrieren.

The technologies must have a level of maturity that enables use under typical conditions by the user. They should be used by regular users without prolonged operation by experts. Operation takes place under the regular legal and licensing framework conditions, as is the case for conventional technologies. 
Unique models are not appropriate for the technologies – a number of manufactured products capable of reproduction should be used in order to be able to draw statistically meaningful conclusions about performance and reliability.

By means of accompanying R&D, the potential for improvement and optimisation should be identified for use in the design of the next generation of product. Tapping the potential for improvement will in most cases however, happen outside the lighthouse projects.

Results are to be communicated in such a way as to safeguard trade secrets. The recovery obligation must be observed in the public sector funding of the technologies developed in order to pursue an appropriate level of value added in Germany for the implementation of technologies.

The building and use of required infrastructure and logistics, e.g. supplying users and operators with fuel cells under acceptable conditions. The integration of existing infrastructures (energy grids, fuelling stations) should be tested and optimised. Training and further education for all groups participating in use/operation and maintenance.

Participation in RCS activities (regulations, codes & standards) for market preparation and the speedy and broad market introduction of the technologies.

Public relations work to promote acceptance of the new technologies.

Development and implementation of market introduction instruments parallel to the lighthouse projects.

The ecological contents take into account the Federal Government’s objectives regarding increasing energy efficiency, preserving resources and climate protection.

Projects are in line with the Kyoto Protocol, the climate protection commitments and the climate protection programme of the Federal Government, the Energy-Saving Ordinance, the building refurbishment programme and the goals of CHP law as well as Renewable Energy Sources Act.

Concepts on the construction of closed-loop systems for evaluating components, materials, recyclable materials from the lighthouse projects.

Subsequent commercialisation needs the participation of a private sector organisation, which develops and supplies the products upon successful testing.

Lighthouse projects require efficient management. In special areas of application a regional bundling of activities is needed for the efficient use of resources, better public awareness, etc. Where possible, an already existing infrastructure (e.g. fuelling stations, maintenance building, etc.) should be used and further developed.

Where practicable, all actors in the entire innovation process (supply industry, manufacturers, users, licensing authorities, state authorities, etc.) are to participate in the lighthouse projects. Pilot, demonstration and lighthouse projects should be designed by as many participants of the value chain as feasible (suppliers, manufacturers, users/operators, service providers) with an appropriate share of German value added.