Are pipelines ready for hydrogen? Aragon’s Response at WHEC 2026

Can we reuse the current gas network for the fuel of the future? This is the big question facing the energy sector, and the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation (FHa) provided an answer at the 2026 World Hydrogen Energy Conference. Through the European CANDHy project, Aragonese researchers demonstrated at the world’s largest global showcase how to successfully assess the safety and resilience of infrastructure to truly accelerate decarbonization.

Success of the CANDHy Project in the Gas Distribution Network

One of the cornerstones of Aragón’s participation was the presentation of the results from the Round Robin (RR) testing campaign of the CANDHy project, coordinated directly by the FHa. This project marks a key milestone in assessing the impact of hydrogen on metallic materials in existing gas infrastructure.

The presentation, led by Lidia Martínez Izquierdo, R&D Coordinator at the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation, detailed the inventory of non-steel materials in the European network (thicknesses, diameters, and fittings) and analyzed the behavior of 132 ductile iron test specimens when exposed to hydrogen. Thanks to the collaboration of partners such as SIDSA, RINA, NaTran, and TECNALIA, CANDHy provides a solid scientific foundation for ensuring the safety of hydrogen and natural gas mixture transportation.

Vanesa Gil Showcases Aragon’s Potential Through Five Cutting-Edge Initiatives

The Foundation’s international leadership at WHEC 2026 was solidified thanks to the outstanding presentation by Vanesa Gil, a key and highly influential figure within the organization, who took on the responsibility of highlighting the technical potential of Aragon’s research to the global scientific community. With a strategic and cross-cutting vision, she outlined the progress and roadmap of the other four leading European projects that the FHa leads or participates in.

Through a presentation with a broad focus, she shared concrete examples of the results achieved in projects that have already been completed, while also revealing the ambitious goals of the initiatives recently integrated into the Foundation’s ecosystem, demonstrating the organization’s strong continuity and real impact on the sector.

Beyond Infrastructure: A Comprehensive European Portfolio

Through its joint presentation at the conference, the Foundation demonstrated its ability to address the entire value chain of hydrogen technologies through its project portfolio:

CANDHy: Infrastructure, logistics, and material compatibility for safe grid transportation.

GreenlifTech, 4AirCRAFT, +C2FUe-LS, and Hy+4SAF: Cutting-edge initiatives presented by Vanesa Gil, focused on the production of sustainable fuels, the decarbonization of heavy industry, and clean energy solutions for strategic and complex sectors such as aviation.

Interview with Lidia Martínez Izquierdo (FHa): Highlights of WHEC 2026

To understand the impact of this global event, we share the insights of the Foundation’s R&D coordinator following her return from the conference:

Why was it important to attend WHEC 2026?

“Attending WHEC 2026 was a strategic opportunity to learn firsthand about the latest technological, scientific, and industrial advances in hydrogen for the energy transition. In addition to updating our knowledge, the conference allowed us to exchange experiences with researchers, companies, and institutions from around the world, identify new avenues for collaboration, and anticipate the trends that will shape the sector’s development in the coming years.”

What exactly did you present at the conference?

“We presented the latest progress from the CANDHy project, which we coordinate through the Aragón Hydrogen Foundation. We detailed the project’s strategic objectives, the experimental methodology used in the various laboratories, and the main results obtained to date regarding material compatibility.”

What did you take away from the event?

“The experience has been extremely enriching, both from a technical and professional standpoint. I’ve gained a much more comprehensive understanding of the real challenges and opportunities involved in the large-scale deployment of hydrogen, as well as new ideas for future projects and a network of key contacts with professionals who will lead to future collaborations.”

Why is this event so crucial for the hydrogen sector?

“The WHEC is one of the premier international conferences. It brings together the entire ecosystem: the scientific community, industry, government agencies, and technology centers. This event not only facilitates the dissemination of the latest advances but also drives cross-sector collaboration and accelerates the development of key technologies for the decarbonization of industry, transportation, and power generation.”

With this initiative, the Foundation not only demonstrates its technical capabilities but also positions Aragonese research as an indispensable pillar in Europe’s roadmap toward climate neutrality.