PHYrene project aims to support the development and strengthening of the hydrogen value chain in the Pyrenean border regions, promoting synergies between companies, institutions and researchers to boost the energy transition in the area. It focuses on low-carbon technologies and seeks to boost all aspects related to hydrogen, from research to its use, taking advantage of cross-border capacities. It is also aligned with the priorities of the strategy, including the energy transition of industry, heavy hydrogen mobility and support for innovation and human capital formation. We are proud to present our ambitious Action Plan for the creation of a ‘hydrogen valley’ in our region. This comprehensive project will cover everything from production and transport to storage and industrial uses of hydrogen, with a commitment to clean and sustainable energy. The PHYrene project not only shares this vision, but also seeks to extend its impact to the entire cross-border area, promoting collaboration and technological development beyond our borders: together we can build a greener and more efficient future! At the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation we play a crucial role in assessing opportunities and challenges in various sectors. We will carry out a comprehensive diagnosis of the training needs in the region, in order to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the training of the workforce is in line with the objectives of the sector. In addition, we will carry out a detailed analysis of the hydrogen production segment, exploring the region's potential to become a production hub, considering the strategic connections with Spain and Northern Europe.   &n

CANDHy project started in September 2023 and plans to complete its work in August 2026. Less than a year after its inception, CANDHy organised its first workshop, with the aim of bringing together and highlighting projects that have been born with similar purposes. The OPTHYCS, PilgrHYm, THOTH2 and SHIMMER projects were invited to this first event. Aragon Hydrogen Foundation coordinates CANDHy and is a partner of the other projects. During the workshop, Vanesa Gil Hernández, ARAID researcher at FHa, highlighted that in the course of the project, research is carried out on the reactions that occur when hydrogen (H2) is injected into the natural gas network. In addition, he mentioned that within the project work is being carried out in four test facilities: H2TestLab facility, HIGGS test platform, RICE facility and DeltaH. CANDHy will consolidate and produce comprehensive data to enable safe distribution of hydrogen in the low pressure gas network, in particular for non-steel metallic materials.

OPTHYCS, PilgrHYm, THOTH2 and SHIMMER: novel methodologies for mixing, measurement and safety

On the other hand, the THOTH2 project, in similarity to CANDHy, focuses on the design of novel methodologies and measurement testing of natural gas and hydrogen mixtures, among other things. THOTH2 partners are fully aware that, to date, H2 blending is limited, due to the uncertainty of the impact on the devices installed in the gas value chain. Another important fact to take into account is that the regulatory framework is still under construction, so there is a long way to go. On another front, the OPTHYCS project is developing new sensor technology to enhance the safety level of H2 applications, both in new infrastructures, working with pure H2, and in reused natural gas plants and pipelines. Its contribution will also be based on a safe and economically viable application of H2 production, transport and storage processes. In addition, OPTHYCS, like CANDHy, has validation centres. In this case there are three locations: one at the Enagas facilities, Zaragoza; the other will be located at GRTgaz and the third at the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation. To continue with safety issues in the applications, SHIMMER's intention is to enable greater integration and safer management of hydrogen injection in multi-gas networks, improving the understanding of hydrogen projects, their risks and opportunities. Last but not least, PilgrHYm comes with pre-normative research on hydrogen reused gas pipeline integrity assessment protocols and mitigation guidelines. During the workshop they showed the first results obtained so far: they have achieved the collection of data from Transmission System Operators (TSO), the selection and analysis of materials, and the definition of the harmonised test matrix. While technicians and specialists investigate, meanings are being woven. The wait for hydrogen projects continues to raise questions, but during this time of research and results, hope is grow

Several experts gathered for a webinar to explore innovative solutions for energy storage and management, especially in island and...

Aragon Hydrogen Complementary Plan continues to make steady progress! The third technical follow-up meeting of the H2 Renewable Energy Complementary Plan was held at the facilities of the Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón ITA. "The technical activity is at its peak, and this is demonstrated by the work of the researchers of ITA, University of Zaragoza and Aragon Hydrogen Foundation", said María García Camprubí, Scientific Coordinator of the Aragon Hydrogen Complementary Plan. García Camprubí stressed that "major investments are already being made to launch the pilot plants at ITA and the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation". With one year left for the completion of the project, the experimental tests and demonstrations needed to validate and verify hydrogen technologies for the decarbonisation of heavy transport and industry are expected to start soon. In addition, more basic research and development initiatives are also showing promising results. Proof of this is the publication of a scientific paper by UNIZAR and several contributions to international conferences by UNIZAR and ITA. The excellence of the work has been recognised with prizes, such as the "Best Poster" award given to ITA at the EFCF2024 congress. The future of hydrogen in Aragon looks bright! From the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation, we are pleased to announce that we have started electrolysis tests to optimise the production of renewable hydrogen. We are using different electrolysis technologies (AEL, PEM, AEM) to compare their efficiency and performance. We have also completed the installation of new components in our hydrogen plant, making it suitable for 700 bar supply. During the summer, we will carry out the necessary tests and verifications, with the aim of having it fully operational by September 2024. We continue to move towards a more sustainable fut