BH2C and BASQUENERGY Cluster organise a scientific-technological meeting to promote connections between green hydrogen R&D ecosystems in the Basque Country and Catalonia.
On 26 September, the BASQUENERGY Cluster and the BH2C, in collaboration with H2CAT and FI Group, organised a scientific-technological meeting to bring together R&D players and projects with common interests, with a view to identifying synergies and acting as a starting point for collaboration on joint projects. During the event, 85 representatives from R&D and business circles in the Basque Country and Catalonia discussed the technological advances and challenges of electrolysis, underground storage and synthetic fuels in both regions.
In the first part of the meeting, representatives from both the Basque Country and Catalonia showcased their considerable capabilities and experience in the research and development of hydrogen technologies. In addition, FI Group provided an overview of funding programmes for hydrogen and derivative fuel projects. Later, in the second part of the meeting, those present were divided into three breakout groups, where a total of eight research projects were presented on three main topics: electrolysis, underground storage and synthetic fuels.
The group on electrolysis consisted of 29 people and was chaired by BASQUENERGY Cluster. In this session, the HIDRURA, IRAUNKOR and H2SIN projects were presented, addressing topics such as decoupled electrolysis, seawater electrolysis and pyrolysis; the degradation of components in alkaline, PEM and AEM technologies; and new models of AEM electrolysers without noble or critical metals. A discussion was also held between the speakers on the viability of membrane electrolysis technologies and the challenges posed by the durability of the latter.
The group on underground storage consisted of 16 people and was chaired by FI Group. Representatives from the H2SALT and Hydra projects presented analyses and results in terms of general design parameters, geological structure, injection and extraction systems, and auxiliary systems such as surface storage and cooling; and diagnostic tools and risk protocols to speed up the underground storage of hydrogen.
The group on synthetic fuels consisted of 34 people and was chaired by H2CAT. Representatives from the SINTETIK, CIUDENOL and FUELPHORIA projects addressed topics related to advanced reactors for the generation of syngas, methane, methanol and ammonia conversion from renewable sources, the synthesis of methanol from CO2 through selective adsorption enhanced reaction processes (SERP) and the sustainable production of advanced biofuels and RFNBO.
All the group meetings included an open forum for sharing knowledge and exploring potential opportunities for collaboration between the two regions.
Source: BASQUENERGY Cluster
