A truly resilient mobility network must function as an integrated multimodal ecosystem, and Green Hydrogen represents an essential pillar in the architecture of the decarbonization process of sectors that are difficult to mitigate, said Vlad Stoicescu, President of the Association for Sustainable Fuels (ASC) & CEO of VoltVert, during the seventh interregional meeting of the European project EMBRACER.
What should a truly resilient mobility network look like from your perspective and what examples of good practices inspire you in this regard?
A truly resilient mobility network must function as an integrated multimodal ecosystem, capable of absorbing operational shocks through the diversification of energy sources and the deep digitalization of data flows. This is based on interoperability and convergence between energy and transport networks, moving from simple physical infrastructure to complex cyber-physical systems. Resilience is no longer just about redundancy, but about predictability and dynamic optimization, thus discussing ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) and Digital Twins. Examples of good practices that inspire us are the Dutch model, by integrating high-power recharging stations with advanced grid management algorithms, and the “H2 Valleys” initiatives (Germany) that demonstrate perfect sectoral coupling, where hydrogen is not just a fuel, but a storage vector that links industrial production to heavy logistics. At the national level, the Petrobrazi multimodal energy hub is a project that marks the historic transition from traditional refining to the production of green molecules (SAF and HVO). It is an example of industrial scalability for South-Eastern Europe, demonstrating how a fossil asset can be converted into a resilience hub for advanced biofuels, essential for regional security of supply in the context of geopolitical volatility.
To what extent can green hydrogen strategically contribute to the transition to sustainable mobility?
Green hydrogen represents an essential pillar in the architecture of the decarbonisation process of hard-to-abate sectors, contributing strategically through its high energy density and its ability to support long-distance heavy transport. Within a framework defined by Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR – Alternative Fuels Regulation), hydrogen is not only an energy vector, but a systemic resilience solution that allows the integration of intermittent renewable energy surplus through the Power-to-X process. From a strategic perspective, the implementation of hydrogen infrastructure on the TEN-T corridors transforms Romania from a marginal consumer into a European logistics hub for clean molecules, supporting the achievement of RED III objectives and reducing dependence on fossil hydrocarbon imports.
What are the challenges that Bucharest faces when it comes to connecting with periurban areas?
Connecting the Bucharest-Ilfov metropolitan area faces a paradox: although the demand for mobility is growing exponentially, the systemic response is hampered by a historical administrative fragmentation and a deficit in service quality at the intersection point between transport modes. A major structural barrier is the management of the infrastructure by different entities with misaligned agendas. Although there is progress in common ticketing, the lack of a single coordination delays the rapid reaction to periurban commuter flows. Also, beyond the availability of vehicles, a critical rejection factor is the poor quality of the physical transfer. For public transport to become a real alternative to the personal car, the citizen must not experience major discomfort (dirt, degraded pedestrian infrastructure, lack of shelter) when changing from the metro to the tram or periurban bus. If the “last-meter experience” at the station involves the risk of compromising one’s appearance or safety, the Bucharester will perceive the personal car as the only viable option, regardless of the cost of fuel or traffic. Let’s not forget that pedestrians spend more time at traffic lights than drivers. As routine traffic (classic commuting) undergoes mutations, we observe an increase in business traffic and urban logistics (courier, Just-in-Time supply, services). The current infrastructure cannot manage these complex flows without digitalization. We urgently need Digital Twins technologies to model and determine traffic loads in real time. Without digital monitoring that integrates infrastructure data with payment systems and fleet management, we cannot optimize traffic light times nor can we effectively prioritize public transport. A positive, but still insufficient, note is the tendency to “let public transport breathe” by implementing single lanes. This is the only physical solution to guarantee the predictability of travel time. Their extension to the peri-urban entrances is essential to discourage private cars from entering the central ring. The challenge is not just to put more buses on the route, but to create an integrated, clean and digitalized mobility ecosystem, where the transfer between modes is as comfortable and efficient as using your own vehicle.
What are the key areas in which ACS and its members have had outstanding initiatives and results given the scope of action they target?
The Sustainable Fuels Association (ACS) does not function only as an advocacy body, but as an accelerator of industrial ecosystems, evolving from the role of observer to that of technical partner. Through the structured dialogue facilitated by the Department for Sustainable Development (DDD), ACS provides industry data and pre-feasibility studies (e.g. multimodal hubs), ensuring that the legislation is not only EU compliant, but also economically feasible for private operators in Romania. ACS has consolidated integrated hydrogen ecosystems, facilitating strategic partnerships for the decentralized production of green hydrogen and the development of the first municipal hydrogen fleets. The organization is also affiliated with the implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy. In parallel, ACS members have advanced innovative solutions in green logistics (green cold chain), sustainable biofuels and ESG standardization, through the protocol with RENAR, strengthening the national accreditation infrastructure and positioning Romania as a relevant actor in the regional energy transition.
