Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TRIERES (Towards the development of a hydRogen valley demonstratIng applications in an intEgRated EcoSystem in Greece)
Reporting period: 2023-07-01 to 2024-12-31
Greece is taking centre stage in the global shift to sustainable innovation. A convergence of industry, academia and research, technology providers, and public authorities has resulted in the TRIĒRĒS Hydrogen Valley, which is anchored around the Motor Oil Corinth Refinery complex as a future hydrogen generator. The EU-funded TRIĒRĒS project will support this endeavour: from short-sea vessels to public transport buses and passenger cars, it will showcase hydrogen's potential in mobility, complemented by collaborative efforts in the energy and industry sectors. The TRIĒRĒS valley is not confined by geographic limitations, revealing a dynamic perspective for supra-state and regional growth and versatility in end uses. The source of inspiration was the consortium's vision of transforming a fossil-fuel dependent economy through a cutting-edge energy and hydrogen ecosystem. TRIĒRĒS has the following key objectives:
• A preliminary safety framework for the small-scale Hydrogen Valley in Corinth has been finalized, establishing comprehensive risk management guidelines, ensuring compliance with safety standards and facilitating the smooth operation of hydrogen-related activities.
• The planning for green hydrogen supply successfully concluded. Additionally, a first version for the exploration of alternative green H2 production technologies has been compiled.
• Three (3) tube trailers for the virtual hydrogen pipeline have been procured. These trailers, with a capacity of ~990 kg of hydrogen at 380 bars and a loading time of 10-11 hours, enable efficient road-based hydrogen distribution to Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) and industrial end-users. Concurrent efforts are focused on optimizing scheduling, logistics models, and operational efficiency.
• Two (2) Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) are under construction—one near the refinery at Ag. Theodoroi and another in Akrata—while three additional stations are in the planning phase to support the deployment of hydrogen vehicles.
• OSY has defined technical requirements for two (2) hydrogen buses.
• HYDRUS has initiated feasibility studies for retrofitting a short-sea vessel to use green hydrogen.
• A feasibility study for a hydrogen pipeline to supply FULGOR is ongoing.
• LPC is finalizing approvals for green hydrogen integration into lubricant production.
• The pipeline from the electrolyzer to MOH’s refinery has also been certified, facilitating the transition from grey to green hydrogen in refining operations.
• The planning for green hydrogen supply successfully concluded. Additionally, a first version for the exploration of alternative green H2 production technologies has been compiled.
• Three (3) tube trailers for the virtual hydrogen pipeline have been procured. These trailers, with a capacity of ~990 kg of hydrogen at 380 bars and a loading time of 10-11 hours, enable efficient road-based hydrogen distribution to Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) and industrial end-users. Concurrent efforts are focused on optimizing scheduling, logistics models, and operational efficiency.
• Two (2) Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) are under construction—one near the refinery at Ag. Theodoroi and another in Akrata—while three additional stations are in the planning phase to support the deployment of hydrogen vehicles.
• OSY has defined technical requirements for two (2) hydrogen buses.
• HYDRUS has initiated feasibility studies for retrofitting a short-sea vessel to use green hydrogen.
• A feasibility study for a hydrogen pipeline to supply FULGOR is ongoing.
• LPC is finalizing approvals for green hydrogen integration into lubricant production.
• The pipeline from the electrolyzer to MOH’s refinery has also been certified, facilitating the transition from grey to green hydrogen in refining operations.
• The TRIĒRĒS Valley will be supplied with 2,410 tons of hydrogen per year from a 30 MW alkaline electrolysis system under the EPHYRA project (HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022-2). NTUA’s techno-economic analysis tool optimizes hydrogen production from Renewable Energy Sources (RES), identifying electricity costs and electrolyser CAPEX as key cost factors. The Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) ranges from €3.04 to €6.21 per kg, informing investment decisions.
• Hydrogen distribution infrastructure is progressing, with Motor Oil acquiring three 380-bar hydrogen tube trailers (~1 ton each), forming a virtual pipeline to facilitate the projected demand from LPC and PPA. AVINOIL completed the first draft of the virtual pipeline planning.
• Road Mobility: The project is in talks with manufacturers for two hydrogen passenger cars and three fuel cell urban buses, expected by M36 and M42, consuming up to 25 tons of hydrogen per year. Two hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) are under construction, co-funded by CEF T AFIF, EIB, private banks, and equity.
• Maritime Mobility: A 200 kW fuel cell retrofit for a short-sea vessel is in progress, expected to consume 66 tons of hydrogen per year. MOH and HYDRUS initiated preliminary retrofit studies, securing indicative budgetary offers for key equipment. Studies on hydrogen applications at Piraeus Port (D4.3) and potential vessel designs (D4.4) are underway, evaluating RoPax ferries, tugboats, and pilot boats with fuel cells and hydrogen combustion engines.
• Industrial Applications: TRIĒRĒS will replace 1,322 tons of fossil-based hydrogen per year with green hydrogen at MOH’s refinery and LPC’s lubricant plant. A pipeline connecting the electrolyzer to the refinery has been certified, and a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study is ongoing. Environmental permitting is progressing with external consultants.
• Energy Applications: A 100 kWe Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit (FC APU) at Piraeus Port will consume 18 tons of hydrogen per year, piloting clean energy for ports and non-interconnected islands.
• A Digital Twin (DT) model is being developed by NOVA to optimize hydrogen distribution and infrastructure scalability. The first version has reached Technology Readiness Level 2 (TRL2), ensuring feasibility.
Hydrogen Logistics and Supply Chain Optimization
• TRIĒRĒS is optimizing hydrogen logistics models, integrating physical and virtual pipelines for efficiency.
• TRIERES co-organized the 3rd JIVE Hydrogen Bus Roadshow with the pioneers EU-wide stakeholders of the successful JIVE1 and JIVE 2 projects. In Greece, it was demonstrated in Thessaloniki, Kozani, Athens, and Patras between May 18 and June 6, 2024. This roadshow emphasized the benefits of hydrogen technology in urban mobility, engaged over 1,500 participants, and included training sessions for local bus operators on the technical and safety aspects of hydrogen bus operation and refueling. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia (CluBE) and Coral Gas, expanded the project’s visibility within Greece and Eastern Europe, while showcasing its contributions to the growth of the hydrogen valley.
• In July 2024, the project participated in the WIVA P&G HyWest Hydrogen Valley Workshop held in Austria, facilitating valuable exchange of knowledge between TRIĒRĒS partners and Austrian collaborators on lessons learnt from the activities developed to form a hydrogen economy in Austria.
• Hydrogen distribution infrastructure is progressing, with Motor Oil acquiring three 380-bar hydrogen tube trailers (~1 ton each), forming a virtual pipeline to facilitate the projected demand from LPC and PPA. AVINOIL completed the first draft of the virtual pipeline planning.
• Road Mobility: The project is in talks with manufacturers for two hydrogen passenger cars and three fuel cell urban buses, expected by M36 and M42, consuming up to 25 tons of hydrogen per year. Two hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) are under construction, co-funded by CEF T AFIF, EIB, private banks, and equity.
• Maritime Mobility: A 200 kW fuel cell retrofit for a short-sea vessel is in progress, expected to consume 66 tons of hydrogen per year. MOH and HYDRUS initiated preliminary retrofit studies, securing indicative budgetary offers for key equipment. Studies on hydrogen applications at Piraeus Port (D4.3) and potential vessel designs (D4.4) are underway, evaluating RoPax ferries, tugboats, and pilot boats with fuel cells and hydrogen combustion engines.
• Industrial Applications: TRIĒRĒS will replace 1,322 tons of fossil-based hydrogen per year with green hydrogen at MOH’s refinery and LPC’s lubricant plant. A pipeline connecting the electrolyzer to the refinery has been certified, and a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study is ongoing. Environmental permitting is progressing with external consultants.
• Energy Applications: A 100 kWe Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit (FC APU) at Piraeus Port will consume 18 tons of hydrogen per year, piloting clean energy for ports and non-interconnected islands.
• A Digital Twin (DT) model is being developed by NOVA to optimize hydrogen distribution and infrastructure scalability. The first version has reached Technology Readiness Level 2 (TRL2), ensuring feasibility.
Hydrogen Logistics and Supply Chain Optimization
• TRIĒRĒS is optimizing hydrogen logistics models, integrating physical and virtual pipelines for efficiency.
• TRIERES co-organized the 3rd JIVE Hydrogen Bus Roadshow with the pioneers EU-wide stakeholders of the successful JIVE1 and JIVE 2 projects. In Greece, it was demonstrated in Thessaloniki, Kozani, Athens, and Patras between May 18 and June 6, 2024. This roadshow emphasized the benefits of hydrogen technology in urban mobility, engaged over 1,500 participants, and included training sessions for local bus operators on the technical and safety aspects of hydrogen bus operation and refueling. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia (CluBE) and Coral Gas, expanded the project’s visibility within Greece and Eastern Europe, while showcasing its contributions to the growth of the hydrogen valley.
• In July 2024, the project participated in the WIVA P&G HyWest Hydrogen Valley Workshop held in Austria, facilitating valuable exchange of knowledge between TRIĒRĒS partners and Austrian collaborators on lessons learnt from the activities developed to form a hydrogen economy in Austria.