The innovations shortlisted this year focus on sectors where the use of clean energy can make the greatest difference to Europe’s climate targets: railways, ports and automotive transport. Work continues on improving the performance of the fuel cell itself and finding innovative hydrogen storage solutions. The importance of sustainable and circular approaches to hydrogen technologies is also showcased this year.
Voting is now closed.
Setting the standard for underground storage
Partners leading the innovation: The University of Edinburgh and the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO), on behalf of the consortium
Hydrogen storage is critical for a secure energy supply. The amount of energy that can be stored in underground reservoirs is important to determine the viability of using them. HyUsPRe developed an advanced method for assessing underground reservoirs when they are converted to storing hydrogen instead of natural gas.

Hydrogen power systems are on track for success
Partners leading the innovation: Centro Nacional de Experimentacion de Tecnologias de Hidrogeno y Pilas de Combustible Consorcio and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A., on behalf of the consortium
To ensure that diesel trains can be retrofitted to run on hydrogen, FCH2RAIL has developed a testing system that does not require the use of a real train. The tests can determine the performance and operation of the individual parts of a fuel cell hybrid power pack or of the complete system.

Calculating the costs and benefits of clean energy
Partners leading the innovation: GREENDELTA GMBH on behalf of the consortium
Decision-makers need to determine if fuel cell and hydrogen systems meet sustainability targets during their production, use and disposal. The open-access software tool developed by SH2E provides a framework to calculate the environmental, economic and social impacts of the technology.

Reaching new heights with hydrogen
Partners leading the innovation: Hyster-Yale Nederland BV and Atena SCARL – Distretto Alta Tecnologia Energia Ambiente on behalf of the consortium
To reduce diesel emissions at ports, a fuel-cell-powered reach stacker is being used to move and stack shipping containers at the port of Valencia, Spain. Testing the hydrogen fuel cell hybrid electric power system during demanding 24-hour operations will help to prove that the technology is up to the task.

Driving fuel cell performance for cars
Partners leading the innovation: Comissariat a L’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Deutches Zentrum fur Luft – und Raumfahrt EV and Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, on behalf of the consortium
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells hold the promise of delivering clean automotive transport, but their performance and durability need to be improved and their cost reduced. FURTHER-FC studied the catalyst layer at the positive electrode, or cathode, to better understand how it affects the fuel cell’s performance.

Making the switch to flexible hydrogen production
Partners leading the innovation: Fondazione Bruno Kessler, SolydEra SpA and HYGEAR BV, on behalf of the consortium
Zero-emission mobility needs refuelling stations that provide a cost-effective, continuous energy supply. The modular and reversible SWITCH system allows for the production of green hydrogen when renewable electricity is available or the simultaneous production of electricity and hydrogen the rest of the time, allowing the recharging and refuelling of vehicles.
