The HYDEA project kicks off with the first meeting of the consortium in the Port of Vigo. This project, led by the EnergyLab Technology Centre, will carry out pilot tests for the application of hydrogen and methanol as an energy alternative in the fleet and vehicles of the ports of the Atlantic area, to achieve the integration of marine technologies and renewable energies in the maritime sector. It is made up of 11 partners from different public and private entities from Spain, France, Ireland, and Portugal, which are part of the transport and bioenergy ecosystem.
The HYDEA project was created to accelerate the development and application of technologies based on the use of green hydrogen as an energy alternative in different types of fleets and vehicles, thus taking another step forward in research for the development and application of alternatives to current energy sources. Green hydrogen comes from renewable energies with zero CO2 emissions, which makes it a clean, sustainable fuel with a zero-pollution index, making it a key agent for the decarbonisation of society in general, and ports in particular.
The main objective of the project is to assess, develop and promote the use of technologies based on green hydrogen from renewables like marine energy in Atlantic Area ports. This is articulated through the achievement of several specific objectives, which will address the following challenges:
- Promoting a clear role of hydrogen in the strategic energy plans of ports.
- Increasing knowledge on various hydrogen production technologies that are viable for use in ports.
- Implementing technology demonstrators to attract investor interest in viable business models.
The HYDEA project consortium, funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area 2021-2027 programme, brings together entities from Spain, France, Portugal and Ireland under the leadership of the EnergyLab Technology Centre, with the active participation of 4 ports – Port Authority of Vigo, Port Authority of Seville, Brest Brittany Port Company and Administration of the Ports of Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo-, 1 technology centre – France Energies Marines -, 2 universities – University of Galway and University of Porto – and 3 companies – Hive Hydrogen, Automotive Synergy Evolution, and Energy Observer Developments -. All of them will also have the support of 13 associated entities: 7 Atlantic port authorities and 6 entities promoting clean energies.
Furthermore, it is worth highlighting the creation of the HYDEA Community, which will be coordinated by the Port Authority of Vigo, and which will integrate entities from the entire hydrogen value chain from the tertiary sector, academics or industry, as well as from the public administrations. This Community aims to be an international forum for sharing experiences, good practices and, in general, disseminating the potential of hydrogen for the sustainable development of communities and for achieving the decarbonisation of society in general, and of ports in particular.
