Making hydrogen affordable to sustainably operate Everywhere in European cities

Project Information

EVERYWH2ERE

Grant agreement ID: 779606

DOI

10.3030/779606

Project closed

EC signature date 1 December 2017

Start date 1 February 2018

End date 31 December 2023

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 6 770 248,74

EU contribution

€ 4 999 945,76

Coordinated by

RINA CONSULTING SPA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - EVERYWH2ERE (Making hydrogen affordable to sustainably operate Everywhere in European cities)

Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

European cities can become living lab for the demonstration of Fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, starting from their use in niche, but everyday applications such as temporary gensets to be used in construction sites, music festivals and temporary events. Leveraging EU excellent knowledge from consortium partners in FC application for automotive and telecom backup power solutions, EVERYWH2ERE project integrated already demonstrated robust PEMFC stacks and low weight intrinsically safe pressurized hydrogen technologies into easy to install, easy to transport FC based transportable gensets. 6 FC containered “plug and play” gensets were developed and tested through a pan-European demonstration campaign in a demonstration to market approach. The prototypes were demonstrated in construction sites, temporary events and cold ironing applications all around Europe, demonstrating their flexibility and their enlarged lifetime. Demonstration results were capitalized towards the redaction of replicability studies for the use of the gensets in new contexts such as emergency and reconstruction sites and for the definition of a commercial roadmap and suitable business models for the complete marketability of the gensets within 2025. A detailed logistic and environmental analysis allows to study the complete techno-economic viability of the gensets and ensure the solution will be environmentally sustainable. In this sense a decision support tool has been realized to support end-users in future replicability. According to the crucial role of cities to promote through policies and dedicated regulatory framework the spreading of FC gensets, local authorities were involved in the project since its beginning. A strong dissemination and communication campaign was conducted particularly during "demonstration events" (more than 25 festivals involved) in order to increase public audience awareness about FCH technologies.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

EVERYWH2ERE was a 71 months project. At M71, the project ended after having demonstrated 3 batches of FC based gensets of 25 kW and 100 kW.
Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the achievement of the project objectives was in line with the expectation.
In particular, the activities until M71 concurred to the achievement of project main objective were:
1. Realization and validation of three batches of FC based gensets of 25 kW and 100 kW
2. Implementation of the San Sebastian demo in Spain targeting construction sites, Tenerife demo in Spain targeting cold ironing application, several demonstration in temporary events across Europe
3. Investigation of the regulatory framework and declaration of conformity for the 100kW Genset
4. Development and test of 2nd and 3rd batch of gensets
5. Engagement of demonstration stakeholders in ports, music festivals, cities etc.
6. First LCA analysis of the EVERYWH2ERE Gensets compared with traditional diesel fueled gensets
7. Mapping of hydrogen supply points in EU and preliminary logistic aspects analysis
8. Definition of contractual models to be proposed to engaged demosites and identification of short term rental as the most relevant market for EVERYWH2ERE gensets
9. Definition of potential Business models
10. Definition of EVERYWH2ERE Gensets Replication Strategy
11. Robust dissemination campaign to engage music festivals and temporary events organizers as well as cities to the project. Identification of film industry as a potential further interested sector for EVERYWH2ERE gensets demonstration.
12. Identification of the project Key Exploitable Results (KERs) and analysis of partners exploitation intentions as well as of IPR framework
An effective and proper Project Communication has been performed through website, social media, flyers and posters, dedicated events. A strong effort has been made in order to reach the maximum industrial actors, potential end-users and general public who can be interested in EVERYWH2ERE solutions. Such efforts brought the EVERYWH2ERE consortium to be acknowledged via three relevant FCH JU Awards:
• FCH JU Best Outreach Award 2020
• FCH JU Best Innovation Award 2021
• Atlantic Project Award 2023

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

EVERYWH2ERE brought the concept of fuel cell systems one step beyond, testing 6 containerized solutions not in stationary application, demonstrating their easy transport and installation, with a specific logistic analysis and a detailed research about the permitting and installation authorization framework. In particular, the gensets were demonstrated in temporary events, construction sites and cold ironing applications around Europe.
Currently, temporary and transportable power market based on fuel cell technology have experienced a significant surge in interest because they offer technical and environmental benefits.
As a “demonstration to market project”, all objectives and impact of EVERYWH2ERE project where achieved thanks to the development of new business models and a clear exploitation strategy shared by the consortium.
The potential cost of EVERYWH2ERE genset to be launched on the market has been identified as well as the relevance of short term rental market for their business entry, particularly for temporary events where green hydrogen fueling seems to be the most relevant option to gain a robust commercial interest.
EVERYWH2ERE outcomes are expected to reduce the technical and financial risks by creating new niche markets for FCH companies and promote innovative business models that will give confidence to investors in large scale replication.
Thanks to a robust dissemination, communication and stakeholders’ engagement campaign, EVERYWH2ERE project has been properly promoted among industrial stakeholders and potential demonstrators.

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