What is the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance?

The world’s only not-for-profit organization dedicated to renewable hydrogen and mobility

The Monaco Hydrogen Alliance is a not-for-profit Association under Monegasque law to promote the use of renewable hydrogen in land, air, and maritime transportation. Alliance members include key public and private hydrogen operators, as well as transportation & mobility industrial leaders and policy makers coming from all over the world. It is anchored in the Principality of Monaco, a European state that has long championed the need for a cleaner nature-centered world.

What does the Alliance do?

Moving the world with renewable hydrogen

The Monaco Hydrogen Alliance, and its annual flagship event the Monaco Hydrogen Forum, are dedicated to promoting sustainable mobility through renewable hydrogen. To do so, they feature and accelerate emerging solutions, facilitating cross-sector adoption of renewable hydrogen innovations – particularly for maritime mobility.

Catalyze: The Monaco Hydrogen Alliance gathers stakeholders from the public and private sectors, young innovators and thought leaders in thematic task forces, delivering recommendations and working on joint-projects on a year-round basis Convene: The Monaco Hydrogen Alliance hosts the Monaco Hydrogen Forum to accelerate innovation across the hydrogen value chain for key public and private hydrogen operators, as well as transportation & mobility industrial leaders and policy makers coming from all over the world. The Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Mobility is awarded during the event. Curate: The Monaco Hydrogen Alliance curates essential information related to green hydrogen and mobility developments through its newsletters and its webinar series. They allow topic experts, business leaders, policy makers as well as a general audience to immerse themselves into the potential of green hydrogen to move the world.

Why the focus on renewable hydrogen?

A global need to decarbonize mobility

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are higher — and rising faster than ever before, with transportation alone accounting for nearly 25% of all global emissions. Hydrogen, particularly renewable hydrogen, can and must play a critical role in global and national decarbonization strategies going forward.
Renewable hydrogen can be critical to help transform mass transit, long-haul vehicles, heavy duty vehicles and machinery, shipping, aviation, industry, and other massively carbon emitting activities. While hydrogen will never be the exclusive element of any national decarbonization strategy, this zero-emission energy source produced without also creating greenhouse gases will have an enormous role to play going forward.

With such great momentum and with so much at stake, it is critically important to bring all stakeholders to the table. Roadmaps must be transformed into action; innovation must be incentivized for business; test-cases piloted; cross-geography collaboration enhanced, and finance harnessed into vehicles that can accelerate the transition.

Why Monaco?

Building on Monaco’s leadership in Energy Transition

The Principality of Monaco’s leadership in Energy Transition and in the fight against climate change — as well as its preeminent global position in the world of motor sports, global shipping and energy trading — make it an ideal host for a new and important global conversation on Hydrogen and Mobility.

The Alliance team

A team of globally recognized experts in mobility, global affairs and the environment

The Alliance was co-founded and is chaired by John Rossant, who is also Chairman of the New Cities foundation, CEO of Co-Motion and Member of the Advisory Board of NEOM. The Alliance’s Vice Chair is Manfredi Lebfrevre d’Ovidio, also chairman and former owner of Silversea Cruises, chairman of the European Cruise Council and Vice Chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council. Its Secretary General is Alliance’s co-founder Bruno Lavagna, author, professor and also founder of advisory firm Be.Exclusive.

The Alliance works under the guidance of a prestigious Advisory Board, comprising: Obaid Amrane, Director General, Ithmaar Capital, Morocco; Roland Kaeppner, Executive Director, ENOWA, Saudi Arabia; Katsuhiko Hirose, CEO & Chief Consultant, HyWealth Co., Japan; Manawita Mansi Konar, Ocean Economist, United-Kingdom; Florence Lambert, CEO, Genvia, France; David Morant, Managing Director, Scorpio UK, United-Kingdom; Raphael Schoentgen, Founder & CEO, Hydrogen Advisors, France; Stewart Wilkinson, Chairman, Vita Power, Malta.

Who are members?

Leading global players in the emerging ecosystem of hydrogen and mobility

The Alliance’s members includes representatives from leading mobility and hydrogen companies, regulators, financiers, innovators to develop pluri-disciplinary conversations dedicated to develop roadmaps to advance the adoption of renewable hydrogen across all mobility sectors. To facilitate a diverse and inclusive representation, the Alliance has developed several membership offers. To join and discover our membership options, as well as to benefit from possibilities best adapted to your needs, please contact our team at info@monacoh2.org for additional information.

Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Transportation

The Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Transportation provides recognition and access to innovative solutions in the field of mobility. In 2022, the Prize will focus on solutions which can positively impact the maritime mobility value chain. The Prize is enabled by NEOM’s ENOWA- the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance 2022 Strategic Partner.

 

Who can participate?

We believe innovation happens everywhere. Entrepreneurs and innovative start-ups, solution-focused projects within multinational forms, inventive policy frameworks and solutions from around the globe are encouraged to apply for the Prize.
The Monaco Prize application is free of charge; participation to the Monaco Hydrogen Forum will be free of charge for finalists. Upon review of personal circumstances, the Alliance could help cover travel and accommodation fees in Monaco for young, innovative entrepreneurial projects.

 

How can I submit my application? Can I nominate someone?

To submit an idea or your application, please fill out the dedicated form on our website. Should you have any questions, you may also contact us at prize@monacoh2.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

What is the timeline for selection?

May 2022
Launch of Prize applications

30 September
Selection of top 20 solutions

November
Selection of 5 finalists

The Monaco Prize is awarded during Monaco Hydrogen Forum

 

Who awards the prize? What is the selection process?

The Prize is awarded by the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance. Initial selection rounds will be led virtually by members of the Task Force Transforming the Maritime Value-Chain with Renewable Hydrogen, representatives from relevant expert, founding and strategic partners representatives as well as the MHA Editorial Committee. For the final round, interviews will take place in person – unless sanitary or travel conditions prevent the jury to meet selected solutions. Successful candidates will be informed after each round.

 

How can I attend the prize ceremony?

The Monaco Prize will be awarded during the Monaco Hydrogen Forum Gala dinner. The Gala dinner is upon invitation only. Please contact info@monacoh2.org to request an invitation. Your request will be reviewed by our team, who will share feedback within 10 working days.

Finalists will benefit from an invitation to the Gala dinner.

Monaco Hydrogen Forum

The Monaco Hydrogen Alliance is the world’s leading gathering of stakeholders pioneering the use off renewable hydrogen in mobility. The Forum will be attended by 300+ leaders in the field of renewable hydrogen and mobility, including senior public officials, leading private sector actors, innovators and financiers. Attendance to the Monaco Hydrogen Forum is upon invitation only. Should you wish to attend, please contact our team at info@monacoh2.org; our Editorial Committee will review your application and provide feedback within 3 working days.

 

When is the Monaco Hydrogen Forum?

The Monaco Hydrogen Forum will take place from 21-22 November 2022. It will consist in a 2 day event, starting with private meetings. A gala dinner (upon invitation) will take place on the second day of the Forum to award the Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Mobility.

 

Who speaks?

Speakers of the Monaco Hydrogen Forum correspond to a broad range of mobility and renewable hydrogen disciplines. They include public sector officials, private sector leaders, innovators and investors, all on track to successfully facilitate a transition to renewable hdyrogen in the field of mobilities.

Speakers are chosen by the MHA Editorial Committee upon a rigorous selection process, following suggestions from the Advisory Board, MHA Members and independent research.

 

How can I get an invitation to attend/to speak?

Should you wish to attend the Monaco Hydrogen Forum, please send an email to info@monacoh2.org. Please indicate why you would like to attend and your current contribution to the fields of mobility or renewable hydrogen. Our Editorial Committee will review your application to speak or attend the Monaco Hydrogen Forum, and provide feedback within 3 working days.

 

Themes and Topics

The Monaco Hydrogen Forum will cover a series of topics and themes pertaining to renewable hydrogen and mobility. The Monaco Hydrogen Forum is dedicated to promoting sustainable mobility through renewable hydrogen. To do so, it will advance current debates, feature and accelerate emerging solutions, facilitating cross-sector adoption of renewable hydrogen innovations – particularly for maritime mobility.

 

Partnering with the Forum

Partners of the Monaco Hydrogen Forum play an essential role in the Forum. They benefit from access to a series of private sessions and events, and a dedicated POC to ensure the Forum best serve their needs. Several options exist and our team is at your disposal to explore the partnership option best suited to your organization. Please contact us at info@monacoh2.org for additional information.

Monaco Hydrogen Alliance Task Forces 2022-2023

MHA’s task forces operate on a year-round basis convening their members, private and public sector leaders, innovators, investors, to develop road maps on a specific topic to advance renewable hydrogen in the global mobilities value chains.

 

What are the objectives of MHA’s Task Forces?

Connect
multi-disciplinary and representative stakeholders of the Maritime Value Chain

Foster
conversations, debates, facilitate research and exchanges to drive action on under- addresses questions

Develop
roadmaps and policy recommendations for action

Promote
innovation through helping to identify and assess solutions for the 2022 Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Mobility

 

Who are Task Forces members?

Task Force are led by Chairs, chosen about their members
6-10 international members from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, with an Task Force are led by Chairs, chosen about expertise in renewable hydrogen, mobility or financing and regulation.

 

Task force platforms

  • Private sessions to identify key issues, review solutions and provide a trusted environment to address challenges and Opportunities
  • Research and strategy briefs to accompany the work of the Task Force with concrete facts and analyses
  • Dedicated MHF session to present initial findings and collect further insights
  • Final briefing roundtable to feature all Task Force findings and recommendations

 

How can I join a task force? How can I propose new task forces?

Task Force membership is based on decisions by the MHA Editorial Committee, its Advisory Board and Task Force Chairs. We welcome applications to join Task Forces and new Task Force proposals. Your application and proposals will be reviewed by the MHA Editorial Committee, who will in return provide feedback. If you wish to join a Task Force or propose a new thematic task force, please contact our team at info@monacoh2.org.

 

L’ère de l’hydrogène commence. L’élément le plus abondant de l’univers compte désormais parmi les vecteurs énergétiques les plus prometteurs pour une planète plus propre et plus durable. De vastes pans de l’activité humaine, de la production d’acier à la construction automobile en passant par le chauffage urbain et le stockage de l’énergie, sont en voie d’être décarbonisés grâce à l’utilisation croissante de l’hydrogène dans le monde.

Mais c’est sur le marché mondial des transports que l’utilisation de l’hydrogène – et plus particulièrement de l’hydrogène renouvelable ou vert – peut avoir le plus d’impact. Les voitures, les trains, les camions, les avions et les navires sont responsables de plus de 25 % de toutes les émissions de gaz à effet de serre dans le monde.  Même si l’industrie automobile abandonne les énergies fossiles pour des solutions plus propres, l’aviation et le transport maritime, par exemple, s’engagent à peine dans cette nouvelle mutation. La quasi-totalité du transport maritime utilise encore du diesel et des combustibles de soute qui polluent l’air et endommagent l’environnement marin.

Telle est la mission du Monaco Hydrogen Alliance : contribuer à développer et accélérer l’adoption de l’hydrogène renouvelable tout au long de la chaîne de valeur de la mobilité.  Cette mission est d’une importance capitale si nos sociétés et nos économies veulent vraiment atteindre les objectifs ambitieux de réduction des émissions de CO2 fixés par l’accord de Paris sur le climat. Grâce à une action concertée et un dialogue entre les principaux acteurs de la mobilité et des transports – tant publics que privés – l’Alliance vise à faire progresser et généraliser l’utilisation de l’hydrogène vert et de ses dérivés dans les transports.

La Principauté de Monaco et son chef d’État visionnaire, Son Altesse Sérénissime le Prince Albert II, ont toujours été leaders dans la lutte pour le développement durable de la planète et la préservation des océans.  L’engagement du Prince souverain qui place la Principauté au cœur de nombreux projets internationaux en faveur du développement durable, combiné à la position de Monaco au cœur de l’Europe et au centre de la Méditerranée, font de la Principauté l’hôte et le partenaire idéal pour le Monaco Hydrogen Alliance et le Monaco Hydrogen Forum.

John Rossant

John Rossant

Président, Monaco Hydrogen Alliance

The Age of Hydrogen is upon us. The most abundant element in the universe now holds out the tantalizing promise of being one of the most important keys to a cleaner and more sustainable planet. Vast swaths of human activity, from steel production and car-making to district heating and energy storage, will be decarbonized in the future by the increasing use of hydrogen around the world.

But it is in the global transportation sector where the use of hydrogen — and specifically renewable or green hydrogen — can have the most impact and the greatest promise. Cars, trains, trucks, planes, and ships account for well over 25% of all greenhouse emissions in the world. True, the global automotive industry is now finally shifting away from fossil fuels – but aviation and shipping, for example, have hardly started to move. Almost all maritime transportation still uses diesel and bunker fuel which pollute the air and damage the marine environment.

This is the mission of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance: to help scale and accelerate the adoption of renewable hydrogen throughout the value-chain of mobility. This is critically important if our societies and economies are truly serious about reaching the robust targets of CO2 reduction set by the Paris Climate Agreement. Through common action and dialogue among leading stakeholders in mobility and transportation — both public and private — the Alliance aims to advance the adoption of green hydrogen and green hydrogen derivatives in transportation.

The Principality of Monaco and its visionary head of state, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, have Iong been leaders in the fight for a more sustainable planet and strengthening the health and biodiversity of global oceans. This strong commitment, combined with Monaco’s position in the heart of Europe and in the center of the Mediterranean, makes the Principality the idea host and partner for the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance and the Monaco Hydrogen Forum.

John Rossant

John Rossant

President, Monaco Hydrogen Alliance

Rules for participation

2024 MONACO PRIZE FOR INNOVATION IN RENEWABLE HYDROGEN AND TRANSPORTATION

 

DISCLAIMER

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. The Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Transportation is open to contestants developing an innovative business, technology, policy or investment solution to advance renewable hydrogen in the mobility sectors.
Initial Applications Begin 10:00 a.m. Monaco Time on July 4th; Close 11:59 p.m. Monaco Time on November 5th, 2024. Visit monacoh2/prize for free entry details; Sponsor: Monaco Hydrogen Alliance - 41 Avenue Hector Otto - 98000 MONACO

OFFICIAL RULE

This is a solutions-based competition among contestants developing an innovative business, technology, policy or investment solution to advance renewable hydrogen in the transportation mobility value chain.

1.  Eligibility. Except as provided below, the Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Transportation (the “Contest”) is open worldwide to contestants who are developing or owning innovative solutions to advance renewable hydrogen in the mobility sectors (land, maritime and air). The Contest is sponsored by the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance

2.   

i.  Current employees, shareholders, officers, and representatives of Sponsor are not eligible to participate in the Contest. The above notwithstanding, former employees, clients and other affiliates (members and partners) of the Sponsor may participate in the Contest.

ii.   All Eligible Contestants who are under the legal age of majority in their country, state or province of their primary residence (“Minor”) must get their parent or legal guardian’s written permission to participate in the Contest. The Contest permits Contestants to enter an innovation-focused competition, available through the website monacoh2.org (the “Site”), for a chance at winning a single Prize consisting in the participation in the 2024 Monaco Hydrogen Alliance and its Gala Dinner (Approximate Retail Value “ARV” of Eur. 2,500) and participation in the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance's membership network for a year ("ARV" of Eur. 7,500).

3.   Contest Period. The Contest applications shall begin on July 4th  at 10:00am Monaco Time and shall end on November 5th at 11:59pm Monaco Time (the “Contest Period”). Finalists will be announced in November 2024; the winner will be announced on the occasion of the Monaco Hydrogen Forum in December 2024.

4.   How to Enter. To enter the Contest you must submit an application with all of the required information, a copy of which is available at monacoh2.com/prize, by the end of the Contest Period (“Entry”). All Entries must be submitted using website entry. All eligible Entries will be evaluated in three stages as provided in the next section titled “Winning”.

i.  Contestants may only submit an Entry for a Project that they are in charge of or leading.

ii.   The Project must consist in an innovative technological, business, financial or policy solution to advance renewable hydrogen.

iii.    The Project should be currently running and/or completed between January 2024 and January 2025.

iv.   The Entry must clearly articulate how the Project is innovative and which challenges it addresses.

v.    The Project can have local, regional, and/or global scope and impact, and should demonstrate significant potential to be scaled up and extended.

vi.   Contestants may be asked for references through which the Sponsor can confirm that they, the Contestants, are in in fact in charge of the Project.

vii.    Entries must be received during the Contest Period. The Sponsor’s computer shall be the official clock for all purposes of this Contest. Any attempt to submit an Entry other than as described herein is void.

viii.    The Sponsor shall not cover or reimburse any costs associated with participating in the Contest. On an exceptional basis, and at the discretion of the Sponsor, the Sponsor can cover accommodation costs for top 5 finalists linked to participation in the Monaco Hydrogen Forum and its Gala Dinner.

5.   Winning. Using a selection rubric, the Sponsor, together with partners, members and the Strategic Partner - all selected at the discretion of the Sponsor - will shortlist the qualified applications to a pool of (1st round) 20 quarter-finalists to share with a distinguished international Selection Jury.

Quarter- Finalists will be requested to submit a video answering a few questions about their Projects. This video along with the finalists’ original Entries will be shared with a distinguished international Jury. The Jury will evaluate all Entries using the same rubric and will provide inputs, making its top 10 recommendations. The 10 semi-finalists will present their solution during live video conference calls with members of the Jury. The Jury will evaluate all interviews using the same rubric and will provide inputs, making its top 5 recommendations. The 5 finalists will receive an invitation to attend the Monaco Hydrogen Forum. They will be interviewed in person. The winner will be announced during the Closing session of the Monaco Hydrogen Forum. Special distinctions may be awarded to other solutions.

Projects will be evaluated using a rubric based on the following considerations:

i.  ELIGIBILITY

ii.   RELEVANCE

iii.    IMPACT

iv.   SCALABILITY

v.   VIABILITY

vi.   INNOVATION

In the event of a tie, the Sponsor will score the tied Entries based on a review by the expert selection jury. In the event of a dispute as to an Entry, Sponsor’s determination shall be final. All decisions of the Sponsor are final and not subject to review or appeal. The Winner will be announced at the 2024 Monaco Hydrogen Forum.

6.   Notifications. The Quarter Finalists, Semi Finalists and Finalists will be notified within 10 calendar days after being chosen. The Winner will be informed during the Monaco Hydrogen Forum. The Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify anyone who does not fully comply with these Official Rules or meets the participation criteria. The Winner may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release, and (where legal) a Publicity Release. Alternatively, if the Prize goes unclaimed or is forfeited by the Winner, the Sponsor in its sole discretion may choose not to re-award the Prize. Winner may not assign or transfer the Prize to another person. No Prize substitution or cash alternative is allowed except at the sole discretion of Sponsor, who reserve the right to substitute a prize (or any portion thereof) in its sole discretion. If the Prize cannot be awarded due to circumstances beyond the control of Sponsor, a substitute prize of equal may be awarded. Other restrictions may apply.

7.    Rights of Sponsor. Sponsor, shall have the right, at its sole and absolute discretion to refuse any Entry which it finds to be in violation of these Official Rules, does not fully comply with all of Sponsor’ and/or these Official Rules’ requirements in connection with any and all clearance issues, or which it finds in its sole discretion to be otherwise objectionable for any reason. Sponsor also reserve the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to terminate the Contest for any reason in the event that there is an error, problem or cause that impacts the operation, administration or security of the Contest. If the Contest is terminated by Sponsor as provided above, Sponsor may refrain from selecting a Winner or in the alternate may select a Winner from all eligible Contestants received prior to the action taken or in such manner as deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Should the Quarter Finalists, Semi Finalists and Finalists - or the company/Organisation they belong to - would be subject to criminal proceedings (or to any other proceedings that may affect the reputation of the Sponsor), the Sponsor at its sole and absolute discretion may decide to suspend their application and participation in the Contest.

8.   General Terms And Conditions. By participating, each Contestant agrees that the Sponsor and the Contest Entities are not responsible or liable for, and shall be released and held harmless from: (i) late, lost, delayed, damaged, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, misdirected or otherwise undeliverable mail, email, SMS/MMS, postage-due notices, release forms, affidavits or other correspondence; (ii) telephone, electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties of any kind; (iii) any condition caused by events beyond the control of the Sponsor that may cause the Contest to be disrupted or corrupted; (iv) any printing, human, typographical or other errors or ambiguities in (or involving) any materials associated with the Contest; (v) any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and action of any kind in connection with or resulting from participation in the Contest; (vi) acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any Prize, including, without limitation, personal injury, death and property damage arising there from; and (vii) claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy.

9.  Privacy. Monaco Hydrogen Alliance collects and uses your personal information to operate the Prize site and deliver the services you have requested. Monaco Hydrogen Alliance also uses your personally identifiable information to inform you of other products or services available from Monaco Hydrogen Alliance and its affiliates, such as personalized advertising communications including information on upcoming events. Monaco Hydrogen Alliance may also contact you via surveys to conduct research about your opinion of current services or of potential new services that may be offered. Monaco Hydrogen Alliance does not sell, rent or lease its customer lists to third parties. Monaco Hydrogen Alliance may, from time to time, contact you on behalf of external business partners about a particular offering that may be of interest to you. Contestants can contact the Sponsor to find out more or to ask any questions they may have about the use of their personal data by emailing info@monacoh2.org. Contestant can stop receiving emails or communication from the Sponsor using an unsubscribe link option found on our website or contacting info@monacoh2.org with subject line: unsubscribe.

Building a sustainable and greener future together.
Let’s welcome fresh thinking about Hydrogen and Mobility.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2023!