Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HYGHER (HYdroGen High pressure supply chain for innovative and cost Efficient distRibution)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2025-06-30
HYGHER aims to improve gaseous hydrogen delivery infrastructure for hydrogen mobility, developing innovative solutions and integrating them optimally along the supply chain steps. These include an innovative filling center able to compress and fill over 2t/day of H2 from green electrolysis, two new high pressure trailers (featuring novel cascading concepts for optimized filling/ unloading) each able to transport 1.25 tons of H2 at 500 bar, and HRS adaptations for full valorization of high pressure H2, increasing economic and technical advantages. The long-term demonstration will take place in the region of Paris and beyond, reinforcing EU H2 infrastructure along TEN-T corridors. A strong reduction in CAPEX, OPEX and footprint will be demonstrated, thus reducing the price of hydrogen at the nozzle.
Throughout the project, a future upscale of the solution to higher pressures and capacities will be prepared and all requirements regarding design, safety, economic, and regulatory aspects identified. Safety will play a central role, through the involvement of H2 safety experts. Circularity aspects will be studied and applied to progress toward a sustainable supply chain. Related requirements and challenges will be discussed with an Advisory Committee and with a wide panel of stakeholders. This will strengthen collaboration, raise awareness about potentials and benefits of the high pressure HYGHER solution, and accelerate replication and scale-up. To foster market uptake, replications will be initiated in the scope of the project. HYGHER will accelerate the development of 3 SMEs, thus contributing to consolidation of EU leadership in H2 technologies.
Throughout the project, a future upscale of the solution to higher pressures and capacities will be prepared and all requirements regarding design, safety, economic, and regulatory aspects identified. Safety will play a central role, through the involvement of H2 safety experts. Circularity aspects will be studied and applied to progress toward a sustainable supply chain. Related requirements and challenges will be discussed with an Advisory Committee and with a wide panel of stakeholders. This will strengthen collaboration, raise awareness about potentials and benefits of the high pressure HYGHER solution, and accelerate replication and scale-up. To foster market uptake, replications will be initiated in the scope of the project. HYGHER will accelerate the development of 3 SMEs, thus contributing to consolidation of EU leadership in H2 technologies.
During the first period of the project, the consortium focused its efforts on the following activities:
-Definition of specifications: The technical specifications for the overall high-pressure value chain were defined, establishing the scope for seamless integration of all components along the hydrogen distribution chain.
- Safety and permitting: A robust safety plan was developed, establishing a joint safety approach across all developments. An initial Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) was performed, covering all system parts — the metal hydride compressor (MHC), trailer, mechanical compressor, buffer tanks, high-pressure compressor, and the various supply infrastructures. These analyses involved working sessions with 13 experts from different project partners. More than 70 safety scenarios were reviewed. Comprehensive safety studies covering all project components were also launched, providing the foundation for detailed HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) studies at subsystem level, which are currently underway. The HAZOP for the MHC has already been completed. In parallel, administrative procedures for demonstration site permitting have been launched which led to the selection of a suitable site.
- Subsystem design: The design of the HYGHER value chain subsystems has advanced, including the innovative metal hydride compressor, two high-pressure trailers, and the filling center. A key achievement of Period 1 is the completed design of the high-pressure trailers. In addition, laboratory benchmarking was carried out to optimize the MHC design, and a manufacturing plan was developed to enable efficient assembly in Period 2.
- Common assumptions and models: Extensive collaborative work was undertaken to establish common assumptions, scope, and models for the various analyses within the project (e.g. circularity, life-cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis). This included the collection of state-of-the-art information and partner data, particularly concerning the most innovative components of the high-pressure value chain. A major achievement was the successful completion of Milestone 11: “Circularity strategies established for three subsystems.”
- Communication, dissemination, and networking: The consortium created a project identity and defined an overarching strategy for communication, dissemination, and exploitation. Networking activities included participation in trade fairs and exchanges with the advisory committee.
-Definition of specifications: The technical specifications for the overall high-pressure value chain were defined, establishing the scope for seamless integration of all components along the hydrogen distribution chain.
- Safety and permitting: A robust safety plan was developed, establishing a joint safety approach across all developments. An initial Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) was performed, covering all system parts — the metal hydride compressor (MHC), trailer, mechanical compressor, buffer tanks, high-pressure compressor, and the various supply infrastructures. These analyses involved working sessions with 13 experts from different project partners. More than 70 safety scenarios were reviewed. Comprehensive safety studies covering all project components were also launched, providing the foundation for detailed HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) studies at subsystem level, which are currently underway. The HAZOP for the MHC has already been completed. In parallel, administrative procedures for demonstration site permitting have been launched which led to the selection of a suitable site.
- Subsystem design: The design of the HYGHER value chain subsystems has advanced, including the innovative metal hydride compressor, two high-pressure trailers, and the filling center. A key achievement of Period 1 is the completed design of the high-pressure trailers. In addition, laboratory benchmarking was carried out to optimize the MHC design, and a manufacturing plan was developed to enable efficient assembly in Period 2.
- Common assumptions and models: Extensive collaborative work was undertaken to establish common assumptions, scope, and models for the various analyses within the project (e.g. circularity, life-cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis). This included the collection of state-of-the-art information and partner data, particularly concerning the most innovative components of the high-pressure value chain. A major achievement was the successful completion of Milestone 11: “Circularity strategies established for three subsystems.”
- Communication, dissemination, and networking: The consortium created a project identity and defined an overarching strategy for communication, dissemination, and exploitation. Networking activities included participation in trade fairs and exchanges with the advisory committee.
As the project is still at the design and prototyping stage, the preliminary results are still not allowing to reach the technical targets expected from the project but the design and all testing and modelling activities will contribute to go beyond the state-of-the art at the end of the project for the trailers, Filling Center & the remote HRS.
Based on those advances , 4 main exploitable results are expected from the project, that are all integrated to form a flexible high pressure H2 supply chain:
- High-performance CE certified new MHC
- CE certified, high capacity (2.15 t/d) 500 bar H2 filling center equipped with MHC,
- CE certified, high-pressure trailer equipped with type IV vessels for transporting 1.25 t H2 at 500bar
- Modified HRS, adapted for full valorization of 500 bar trailers
To prepare for market introduction, the consortium developed an IP management plan and exploitation strategy, including further research for additional use cases. In parallel with technical progress, replication and market-entry measures are underway, such as market trend analyses, increased visibility towards potential customers, and assessments of barriers and competition. The project also advances industrialisation planning, including the identification of financial resources.
Through active partner involvement in standardization committees, project recommendations on safety and regulations can shape future standards for the high-pressure hydrogen value chain.
Based on its results, the project will deliver significant economic, scientific, and societal impacts. Economically, it will lower hydrogen costs at refuelling stations, strengthen industrial partners, and create sustainable jobs. Scientifically, it will reinforce EU research leadership through new knowledge and operational data. Societally, it will enhance circularity and reduce critical raw material use. Finally, HYGHER will cut CO2 emissions from hydrogen compression and transport while accelerating hydrogen uptake in other applications.
Based on those advances , 4 main exploitable results are expected from the project, that are all integrated to form a flexible high pressure H2 supply chain:
- High-performance CE certified new MHC
- CE certified, high capacity (2.15 t/d) 500 bar H2 filling center equipped with MHC,
- CE certified, high-pressure trailer equipped with type IV vessels for transporting 1.25 t H2 at 500bar
- Modified HRS, adapted for full valorization of 500 bar trailers
To prepare for market introduction, the consortium developed an IP management plan and exploitation strategy, including further research for additional use cases. In parallel with technical progress, replication and market-entry measures are underway, such as market trend analyses, increased visibility towards potential customers, and assessments of barriers and competition. The project also advances industrialisation planning, including the identification of financial resources.
Through active partner involvement in standardization committees, project recommendations on safety and regulations can shape future standards for the high-pressure hydrogen value chain.
Based on its results, the project will deliver significant economic, scientific, and societal impacts. Economically, it will lower hydrogen costs at refuelling stations, strengthen industrial partners, and create sustainable jobs. Scientifically, it will reinforce EU research leadership through new knowledge and operational data. Societally, it will enhance circularity and reduce critical raw material use. Finally, HYGHER will cut CO2 emissions from hydrogen compression and transport while accelerating hydrogen uptake in other applications.