Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMAGHyNE (IMAGHYNE: INVESTMENT TO MAXIMISE THE AMBITION FOR GREEN HYDROGEN IN EUROPE)
Période du rapport: 2024-01-01 au 2025-06-30
IMAGHyNE will pave the way for the deployment of a large-scale renewable hydrogen (H2) economy in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, fully integrated in the energy system and addressing the needs of high emitting sectors.
The objectives will be to:
1) Deploy 57 MW of new electrolysis capacity
2) Implement a flexible H2 supply chain combining underground storage and tube-trailer deliveries
3) Deploy 13 multi-modal H2 refuelling stations,
4) Deploy 191 on-road fuel cell vehicles,
5) Deploy 63 off-road fuel cell vehicles and stationary equipment,
6) Strengthen the robustness of the energy and H2 supply chain by integrating a flexible industrial player
7) Design an efficient pipeline-based multi-user H2 ecosystem,
8) Prepare for additional large-scale deployment
9) Disseminate and communicate the results
The objectives will be to:
1) Deploy 57 MW of new electrolysis capacity
2) Implement a flexible H2 supply chain combining underground storage and tube-trailer deliveries
3) Deploy 13 multi-modal H2 refuelling stations,
4) Deploy 191 on-road fuel cell vehicles,
5) Deploy 63 off-road fuel cell vehicles and stationary equipment,
6) Strengthen the robustness of the energy and H2 supply chain by integrating a flexible industrial player
7) Design an efficient pipeline-based multi-user H2 ecosystem,
8) Prepare for additional large-scale deployment
9) Disseminate and communicate the results
WP1: Coordination
The coordination team of the IMAGHyNE project is composed of AURA, supported by ERM. In P1, they have completed the following actions:
- Implement a series of coordination tools to monitor the advancements of the project
- A collaborative platform has been created on an AURA dedicated Sharepoint
- Regular meetings within the Coordination team and with the project Partners are organised
- Bi-monthly meetings are organized with the CH JU project officer for IMAGHyNE.
WP2 – Renewable hydrogen (H2) production
• Aéroport de Lyon (ADL)
During the summer of 2024, ADL completed all the studies required to publish the call for tenders for the concession of the project known as “MOBHYLYS”. These studies concluded with the submission of an environmental authorization application and a building permit application on Sept. 2, 2024.
At the same time, ADL submitted a grant application to the CEF-AFIF program in the fall of 2024, and its status as a successful applicant was confirmed in Feb. 2025.
The tender for the concession will be launched in summer 2025.
• Lhyfe
Lhyfe initially planned a 5 MW electrolyser in Le Cheylas, but the partner now aims to expand the project to 10 MW. By the end of P1, final on-site studies were completed, the land lease signed (August 2024), and the construction permit obtained (April 2024). Construction began in fall 2024, with commissioning set for Feb. 2026 and commercial operations planned for Sept. 2026.
• Vensolair/CNR-ENGIE
The original proposal foresaw the deployment of a 15MW electrolyser equipped with a 0.8 km pipeline for a direct connection to the Pierre-Bénite dam. This setup conflicted with RED II’s renewable H2 criteria, so the site was abandoned.
Currently, both partners have confirmed their will to remain in the IMAGHyNE project; are identifying new sites; and revising their scope.
WP3 – Transport, distribution, and storage of H2
• ADL
ADL is developing a project focused on the production and distribution of H2 at the airport for mobility purposes.
ADL is involved in WP3 due to future links to other H2 infrastructures and has engaged with partners to enable this connection.
• Storengy
The project aims to develop commercial H2 storage services using facilities from the HyPSTER pilot, partly funded by the CH JU. The HyPSTER demonstrator is located in Étrez – Bresse Vallons, about 70 km north of Lyon. Storengy SAS have focused on developing the Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED) of the project in P1.
• Hympulsion
Hympulsion is currently continuing the construction and commissioning of the second wave of 7 stations, each with a daily dispensing capacity of 1 ton. These stations are not financed through the IMAGHyNE project.
As part of IMAGHyNE, Hympulsion is leasing H2 trailers to supply stations, aiming for a fleet of 20 units (40 ft, 350 bar). As of July 2025, 12 trailers (20 ft, 350 bar) are in use and gradually being replaced by 40-foot models.
• GRDF:
Key achievements include 2 techno-economic feasibility studies (currently confidential). For both studies, GRDF has mapped routes, pre-sized networks, estimated CAPEX/OPEX, and developed provisional timelines. In parallel, GRDF advanced strategic enablers in 2024.
• NaTran
As part of the WP3, NaTran will specifically study the connection of the Hy-Fen pipeline to the "Vallée de la Chimie" Hydrogen Hub, on a route passing by the Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport.
These pipeline feasibility studies are ongoing and the engineering part was achieved.
WP4 – Hydrogen (H2) end-uses
- Hyliko successfully homologated its first H2 fuel cell heavy-duty trucks. The company also opened a retrofit and maintenance facility in Saint-Priest.
- Région AURA initiated deployment with 16 retrofitted H2 coaches
- Keolis began passenger service with 4 retrofitted peri-urban buses.
- PUM received its first H2 truck from Hyundai, now undergoing final preparations for road use.
- ADL advanced feasibility studies for H2 vehicle integration and backup generator replacement.
WP5 – Monitoring, studies, and replication
• Monitoring performance
o CEA prepared data collection templates based on the performance parameters required and engaged with AURA and KEOLIS for access to monitoring systems deployed in coaches and buses respectively, as these are the 1st applications already deployed in the project.
o INERIS started data collection regarding safety information of H2 projects involved in IMAGHyNE.
• Prospective studies
o Together with TENERRDIS, NOMADS and INERIS, CEA started to organize the definition of scenarios through interviews with H2 stakeholders, literature review and analysis of regional energy demand in industry.
o CEA released in June 2025 the open-source version of CAIRN optimization platform, a tool used to analyze regional H2 deployment scenarios.
• Replication tasks
o FHA developed the HTP tool to be used to facilitate the analysis and configuration of future H2 valleys.
o A workshop about interconnexion with existing H2 valleys was organized on March 11th, 2025 (Zaragoza).
o The work performed by POLITO in P1 has been focused on 2 main topics: the qualitative risk assessment of the deployment of H2 in tunnels and the experimental setup for testing H2 release consequences in tunnels.
WP6 – Communication and dissemination
- Communication materials have been developed
- 2 sectorial workshops have been organized, for a total of 86 participants.
- The project was also represented at 14 conferences/workshops.
The coordination team of the IMAGHyNE project is composed of AURA, supported by ERM. In P1, they have completed the following actions:
- Implement a series of coordination tools to monitor the advancements of the project
- A collaborative platform has been created on an AURA dedicated Sharepoint
- Regular meetings within the Coordination team and with the project Partners are organised
- Bi-monthly meetings are organized with the CH JU project officer for IMAGHyNE.
WP2 – Renewable hydrogen (H2) production
• Aéroport de Lyon (ADL)
During the summer of 2024, ADL completed all the studies required to publish the call for tenders for the concession of the project known as “MOBHYLYS”. These studies concluded with the submission of an environmental authorization application and a building permit application on Sept. 2, 2024.
At the same time, ADL submitted a grant application to the CEF-AFIF program in the fall of 2024, and its status as a successful applicant was confirmed in Feb. 2025.
The tender for the concession will be launched in summer 2025.
• Lhyfe
Lhyfe initially planned a 5 MW electrolyser in Le Cheylas, but the partner now aims to expand the project to 10 MW. By the end of P1, final on-site studies were completed, the land lease signed (August 2024), and the construction permit obtained (April 2024). Construction began in fall 2024, with commissioning set for Feb. 2026 and commercial operations planned for Sept. 2026.
• Vensolair/CNR-ENGIE
The original proposal foresaw the deployment of a 15MW electrolyser equipped with a 0.8 km pipeline for a direct connection to the Pierre-Bénite dam. This setup conflicted with RED II’s renewable H2 criteria, so the site was abandoned.
Currently, both partners have confirmed their will to remain in the IMAGHyNE project; are identifying new sites; and revising their scope.
WP3 – Transport, distribution, and storage of H2
• ADL
ADL is developing a project focused on the production and distribution of H2 at the airport for mobility purposes.
ADL is involved in WP3 due to future links to other H2 infrastructures and has engaged with partners to enable this connection.
• Storengy
The project aims to develop commercial H2 storage services using facilities from the HyPSTER pilot, partly funded by the CH JU. The HyPSTER demonstrator is located in Étrez – Bresse Vallons, about 70 km north of Lyon. Storengy SAS have focused on developing the Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED) of the project in P1.
• Hympulsion
Hympulsion is currently continuing the construction and commissioning of the second wave of 7 stations, each with a daily dispensing capacity of 1 ton. These stations are not financed through the IMAGHyNE project.
As part of IMAGHyNE, Hympulsion is leasing H2 trailers to supply stations, aiming for a fleet of 20 units (40 ft, 350 bar). As of July 2025, 12 trailers (20 ft, 350 bar) are in use and gradually being replaced by 40-foot models.
• GRDF:
Key achievements include 2 techno-economic feasibility studies (currently confidential). For both studies, GRDF has mapped routes, pre-sized networks, estimated CAPEX/OPEX, and developed provisional timelines. In parallel, GRDF advanced strategic enablers in 2024.
• NaTran
As part of the WP3, NaTran will specifically study the connection of the Hy-Fen pipeline to the "Vallée de la Chimie" Hydrogen Hub, on a route passing by the Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport.
These pipeline feasibility studies are ongoing and the engineering part was achieved.
WP4 – Hydrogen (H2) end-uses
- Hyliko successfully homologated its first H2 fuel cell heavy-duty trucks. The company also opened a retrofit and maintenance facility in Saint-Priest.
- Région AURA initiated deployment with 16 retrofitted H2 coaches
- Keolis began passenger service with 4 retrofitted peri-urban buses.
- PUM received its first H2 truck from Hyundai, now undergoing final preparations for road use.
- ADL advanced feasibility studies for H2 vehicle integration and backup generator replacement.
WP5 – Monitoring, studies, and replication
• Monitoring performance
o CEA prepared data collection templates based on the performance parameters required and engaged with AURA and KEOLIS for access to monitoring systems deployed in coaches and buses respectively, as these are the 1st applications already deployed in the project.
o INERIS started data collection regarding safety information of H2 projects involved in IMAGHyNE.
• Prospective studies
o Together with TENERRDIS, NOMADS and INERIS, CEA started to organize the definition of scenarios through interviews with H2 stakeholders, literature review and analysis of regional energy demand in industry.
o CEA released in June 2025 the open-source version of CAIRN optimization platform, a tool used to analyze regional H2 deployment scenarios.
• Replication tasks
o FHA developed the HTP tool to be used to facilitate the analysis and configuration of future H2 valleys.
o A workshop about interconnexion with existing H2 valleys was organized on March 11th, 2025 (Zaragoza).
o The work performed by POLITO in P1 has been focused on 2 main topics: the qualitative risk assessment of the deployment of H2 in tunnels and the experimental setup for testing H2 release consequences in tunnels.
WP6 – Communication and dissemination
- Communication materials have been developed
- 2 sectorial workshops have been organized, for a total of 86 participants.
- The project was also represented at 14 conferences/workshops.
The following results took place during P1:
WP1
o The IMAGHyNE Kick-off meeting took place on Feb. 12th, 2024 in Lyon
o 3 General Assemblies were carried out
WP2
o Lhyfe celebrated laying the 1st foundation stone of the H2 production site of Le Cheylas.
WP3
o Hympulsion acquired 12 trailers (20 feet, 350 bar)
WP4
o AURA deployed 6 retrofitted 2 coaches
o Keolis deployed 4 retrofitted peri-urban buses
o PUM received its first H2 truck from Hyundai
WP5
o Preliminary work and templates for Data analysis and safety analysis were prepared
o CEA released in June 2025 the open-source version of CAIRN optimization platform.
WP6
o All social media & online resources have been published
o 2 sectorial workshops were organized
WP1
o The IMAGHyNE Kick-off meeting took place on Feb. 12th, 2024 in Lyon
o 3 General Assemblies were carried out
WP2
o Lhyfe celebrated laying the 1st foundation stone of the H2 production site of Le Cheylas.
WP3
o Hympulsion acquired 12 trailers (20 feet, 350 bar)
WP4
o AURA deployed 6 retrofitted 2 coaches
o Keolis deployed 4 retrofitted peri-urban buses
o PUM received its first H2 truck from Hyundai
WP5
o Preliminary work and templates for Data analysis and safety analysis were prepared
o CEA released in June 2025 the open-source version of CAIRN optimization platform.
WP6
o All social media & online resources have been published
o 2 sectorial workshops were organized