Clean Hydrogen Partnership celebrates Europe’s hydrogen leaders

The Clean Hydrogen Partnership honoured Europe’s top hydrogen innovators at the 2025 Awards ceremony in Brussels on 24 November. The event spotlighted outstanding achievements in hydrogen research and innovation, recognising projects and individuals driving the continent’s clean energy transition.

The 2025 Awards, now at their 5th edition, celebrated excellence in five categories: Best Success Story, Best Innovation, Best Outreach, European H2 Valley of the Year, and Women in H2 Innovation Award.

Best Success Story – HELIOS and FLEX4H2 

HELIOS and FLEX4H2 shared the Best Success Story Award for their breakthroughs in hydrogen combustion technology. HELIOS developed a retrofittable hydrogen gas turbine using the FlameSheet™ platform, achieving 100% hydrogen operation. FLEX4H2 created a fuel-flexible combustor capable of handling up to 100% hydrogen in natural gas, enabling clean, dispatchable power generation.

“Hydrogen deployment in gas turbines will be a key enabler for clean electricity production and future grid stability. This achievement reflects the strength of a committed team that brings together scientific, technical, and industrial expertise” said Andrea Ciani, Project Coordinator FLEX4H2, Hydrogen Combustion Technology Manager Ansaldo Energia.

“The award affirms that we are on the right track in the race to deliver innovative solutions for a sustainable future energy system”, added Roy Hermann, Project Coordinator HELIOS, Eindhoven University of Technology

Best Innovation – HyP3D

HyP3D won the Best Innovation Award for its use of 3D printing to create advanced solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOCs). These cells improve efficiency and durability, featuring corrugated electrolytes and embedded gas channels for lighter, simpler designs.

“Disruptive technologies like 3D printing can advance efficient hydrogen solutions such as high-temperature electrolysis. Thank you for believing in our vision for a cleaner and more innovative future” said Albert Tarancón Rubio, Professor & Head of Department, Catalonia Institute for Energy Research-IREC

Best Outreach – COSMHYC Project Series

From innovation, the ceremony shifted focus to the crucial role of communication and public engagement. The COSMHYC Project Series earned the Best Outreach Award for its innovative hydrogen compression solution, validated at a public refuelling station. The project’s dissemination efforts boosted visibility and supported the commercialisation of thermochemical compressors.

“This award recognizes the long-term vision of the COSMHYC project series not only to develop a new technology, but to also implement it in real-world industrial use-cases; communication supported the early steps towards commercialisation and industrialisation;” underlined Rami Chahrouri, COSMHYC’s Project Coordinator from EIFER.

European H2 Valley of the Year – BalticSeaH2

BalticSeaH2 received the European H2 Valley of the Year Award for its ambitious hydrogen ecosystem spanning southern Finland and Estonia. With 40 partners from nine countries, the initiative aims to create one of Europe’s largest interregional hydrogen networks.

Europe’s hydrogen economy will be cross-border - like BalticSeaH2.”
— Jatta Jussila, CEO of CLIC Innovation, Project Coordinator BalticSeaH2

Women in H2 Innovation Award – Julie Mougin

Julie Mougin, Deputy Director for Hydrogen Technologies at CEA, was recognised with the Women in H2 Innovation Award for her 20-year contribution to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, including advancements in high-temperature electrolysis.

“I can see the many achievements obtained since the beginning, on this technology of course but more generally in the field of hydrogen. I am very happy and proud to be part of this ecosystem, and to see that many women are acting at various levels to develop and deploy these technologies everywhere in the world” said Julie Mougin.

Hydrogen Europe Research - Young Scientist Award 2025

Hydrogen Europe Research have presented their Young Scientist Award 2025 rewarding young researchers who have personally contributed to hydrogen-related projects. This competition revolves around four pillars, reflecting the structure of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. To discover more about this year’s and past winners, please visit the Hydrogen Europea Research website.

For more information about the awards, please visit the Clean Hydrogen Partnership website.