Large-scale Hydrogen Valley

The scope of this flagship topic is to develop and demonstrate a large-scale Hydrogen Valley. It could demonstrate a combination of technologies either in existing and/or new markets for clean hydrogen, especially when applications are used in symbiose with each other.

This topic should demonstrate innovative approaches at system level: global and synergetic integration of hydrogen production, distribution and end-uses technologies. It should also seek integration within a broader energy system, considering elements such as renewable energy production, gas and electricity grid, digitalisation, etc. Technologies demonstrated should be state of the art following technology development previously funded by (but not limited to) the JU.

Proposals should respond to the following technical requirements:

• Showcase the ability of hydrogen and its associated technologies to decarbonise different sectors in EU;
• Demonstrate how hydrogen enables sector coupling and allows large integration of renewable energy[[In line with the definitions provided in the Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001/EU]];
• Cover the complete value chain of hydrogen from production to distribution, storage and end-use in order to decarbonise regions by harnessing renewables and/or low-carbon energy sources. The proposed solution should provide energy flexibility and improve the regions’ system resilience through the use of renewable hydrogen[[Please refer to the paragraph Rationale for support of the section 3.7 of the SRIA of the Clean Hydrogen JU]];
• Demonstrate a clear pathway for massive GHG reduction, in view for the valley to be further scaled up using (but not limited to) further funding tools dedicated to deployment.
• Produce at least 4,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen[[As defined in the SRIA of the Clean Hydrogen JU]] per year using new hydrogen production capacity. Due to the large volumes of hydrogen involved, production plants may be distributed across the territories involved;
• At least two hydrogen applications from at least two different sectors should be part of the project, with a clear focus on energy, industry and transport sectors.

Moreover, it is encouraged to develop proposals in the following areas (but not limited to):

• Multi-modal transport platforms, port and airport eco-systems incl. import/ interconnection (and cooperate with global and EU ports coalition);
• Major urban areas with large fleets of public vehicles (e.g. buses, refuse collection trucks, vans, passenger cars and other LDVs, etc.) with associated multi-modal refuelling stations (i.e. 350 & 700 bar, liquid, etc.);
• Integration of renewables into hard to abate industrial sector via coupling of electrolysis and responsive bulk hydrogen storage;
• Pipeline-based, multi-user hydrogen system;
• Hydrogen from intermittent and inflexible electricity sources;
• Integration of a multi-MW second generation electrolysis in the chemical industry for chemical or thermal processes;
• Offshore hydrogen production.

Volumes of hydrogen produced and distributed for the different end uses should be consistent with the amount of investment considered.

It is expected that the proposals will demonstrate as follows the impact and replicability:

• Clearly and coherently present the Hydrogen Valley beyond the investments/actions to be supported directly by this topic;
• Demonstrate how all actors, public and private, at EU, national and regional level will work together, across the entire value chain, to build a dynamic hydrogen ecosystem in the Member States (or Associated Countries)/Regions involved. In particular, proposals should demonstrate how the Hydrogen Valley development will be accompanied by economic growth, skills development and job creation;
• Develop a long-term vision on how the Hydrogen Valley developed is expected to grow also in view of its potential role in an existing or future IPCEI[[Two waves of IPCEIs related with clean hydrogen have been approved by the EC: IPCEI Hy2Tech on 15/07/2022 - https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_22_4549 ; and IPCEI Hy2Use on 21/09/2022 - https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5676]];
• Demonstrate the replicability and scalability of the concept with the aim of facilitating further deployments of Hydrogen Valleys in other locations/clusters/hubs in Europe (in line with the additional valleys to be initiated as a result of the project activities – see above). Proposals should therefore address efforts to provide and transfer the learnings on how to best scale-up and transfer the solutions investigated within the selected territory to other interested areas. Proposals are therefore expected to develop a clear replication strategy of the ecosystem concept and to engage with other regions in Europe, e.g. peer-to-peer exchange activities, to foster replication already during the duration of the project, with special attention placed on projects including EU regions where Hydrogen Valleys concepts may be less developed at present. In doing this, proposals should address technical and economic feasibility and also aspects related to RCS. Learnings from previous supported projects (e.g. projects BIG-HIT[[https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/700092]], HEAVENN[[https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/875090]] and GreenHysland[[https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101007201]]) should be used in view of standardising impact and replicability aspects. The availability of modelling tools and the different scenarios developed in the previous supported projects should ease the replicability assessment. Proposals should demonstrate how they intend to create links with other Hydrogen Valleys initiatives in Europe (e.g. S3 Hydrogen Valleys Platform[[https://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/hydrogen-valleys]], HyLand Regions in Germany), but also internationally (e.g. Mission Innovation 2.0 - Clean Hydrogen Mission[[http://mission-innovation.net/missions/hydrogen/]]);
• Demonstrate how collaboration and synergies with other Hydrogen Valleys supported by the Clean Hydrogen JU will be implemented;
• Include significant communication activities and dissemination campaigns with the aim to reach to local citizens and increase public engagement of hydrogen ecosystems. Given the flagship nature of this topic, the proposals are expected to pay attention to this aspect and to demonstrate how this would be professionally addressed, including clear, measurable and ambitious KPIs.

Proposals should:

• Contain a clear calendar defining the key phases of the implementation of the action (i.e. preparation of the specifications of equipment, manufacturing, permitting, deployment and operation) and their duration;
• Foresee enough time for monitoring and assessment including at least 2 years of operations. The monitoring strategy should as a minimum allow to assess compliance with the KPIs of the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA [[https://www.clean-hydrogen.europa.eu/about-us/key-documents/strategic-research-and-innovation-agenda_en]] for each of the technologies covered.

Applicants should provide a funding plan to ensure implementation of the project in synergies with other sources of funding. If no other sources of funding will be required, this should be stated clearly in the proposal, with a commitment from the partners to provide own funding. If additional sources of funding will be required, proposals should present a clear plan on which funding programmes at either EU (e.g. Structural Funds, Just Transition Fund, Innovation Fund, Connecting Europe Facility, etc.) or national levels will be targeted[[Including applications for funding planned, applications for funding submitted and funding awarded]]. In these cases, applicants should present a credible planning that includes forecasted funding programmes and their expected time of commitment.

Evidence of the commitment and role of public authorities (Member States, Regions and Cities) and of any other necessary stakeholders at least in the form of Letters of Intent (LOI) should be provided. The practical implementation of these LOI will be followed during the Grant Agreement implementation.

Costs of renewable energy plants (e.g. PV or wind plant) or related costs for operation of the Hydrogen Valley (e.g. electricity for electrolyser) are not eligible for funding.

This topic is expected to contribute to EU competitiveness and industrial leadership by supporting a European value chain for hydrogen and fuel cell systems and components.

It is expected that Guarantees of origin (GOs) will be used to prove the renewable character of the hydrogen that is produced. In this respect consortium may seek out the issuance and subsequent cancellation of GOs from the relevant Member State issuing body and if that is not yet available the consortium may proceed with the issuance and cancellation of non-governmental certificates (e.g CertifHy[[https://www.certifhy.eu]]).

Proposals should provide a preliminary draft on ‘hydrogen safety planning and management’ at the project level, which will be further updated during project implementation.

Proposals are expected to contribute towards the activities of the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, Mission Innovation 2.0 - Clean Hydrogen Mission and the H2V platform. Cooperation with entities from Clean Hydrogen Mission member countries, which are neither EU Member States nor Horizon Europe Associated countries, is encouraged (see section 2.2.6.7 International Cooperation).

The TRL of the applications in the project should be at least 6 at the beginning of the project while the overall concept should target a TRL 8 at the end of the project - see General Annex B.

At least one partner in the consortium must be a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research.

The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 20.00 million – proposals requesting Clean Hydrogen JU contributions above this amount will not be evaluated.

Purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets used for the action must be declared as depreciation costs. However, for the following equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action (or developed as part of the action tasks): hydrogen production plant, distribution and storage infrastructure and hydrogen end-uses, costs may exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs.

The conditions related to this topic are provided in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2023 Annual Work Plan and in the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023–2024 which apply mutatis mutandis.