Clean Hydrogen Partnership Awards winners

This sixth edition of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership Awards was presented in Brussels on Wednesday, 22 November 2023, celebrates how European research and innovation continue to drive the clean energy revolution further and higher.

Best Innovation Award: emission-free aviation goes to HEAVEN

The winner, HEAVEN, represents the first application of liquid hydrogen storage technology in aviation. The innovation was integrated with a hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system in a light demonstrator aircraft that seats up to four people.

The award was handed over to numerous representatives of the project consortium by Dr Bernd Biervert, Head of Clean Energy Transition Unit in DG Research & Innovation.

Rosalinde van der Vlies, Clean Planet Director, DG RTD, European Commission said:

“The HEAVEN project shows what European innovators can achieve by joining their forces. I wish to congratulate the winning team for their outstanding achievement. Their solutions will bring us a step closer to a resilient and sustainable energy system in which renewable hydrogen plays a leading role.”

European H2 Valley of the Year goes to Green Hysland

Three hydrogen valley projects received this year’s award for their outstanding efforts to develop integrated systems of hydrogen production, supply, storage and use in multiple sectors: Hydrogen Hub Noord-Holland, WIVA P&G in Austria, and Green Hysland on Mallorca, Spain.

Green Hysland aims to become Europe’s first hydrogen island and a blueprint for other areas in Europe. Its consortium of 30 partners from 11 countries is producing green hydrogen from solar energy.

“Together we are shaping a sustainable future, harnessing the power of clean hydrogen to propel us towards a greener and more resilient Europe,” said project coordinator Victor Encinas Sanchez.

“Thank you to the Clean Hydrogen Partnership for recognising our joint commitment to innovation and sustainability. Without the funding of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, this would not have happened,” he added.

The project’s pilot sites are a green hydrogen plant in Lloseta; a pressure-reducing station to inject hydrogen into the local gas grid; three fuel cell systems to provide heat and power to a sports centre in Lloseta, a hotel, and a ferry terminal in Palma; fuel-cell buses and a hydrogen refuelling station, along with distribution infrastructure.

Photography by https://www.clean-hydrogen.europa.eu/