The JP Clean Hydrogen is organised in six sub-programmes, each with specific research objectives, but working strongly together.
Sub-programmes
SP 1 Development of electrochemical processes for production and/or use of hydrogen
Coordinator: Marie-Laure Fontaine (SINTEF)
(Marie-Laure.Fontaine@sintef.no)
Cost-effective hydrogen technologies that can contribute to the decarbonisation of the global energy system require significant further advances in electrochemical processes. These include innovations in materials for electrocatalysts, membranes, electrolytes, cells and stacks. In addition, new processes for the manufacture and application of these materials, as well as device innovations that optimise their potential, are required. The key challenge in electrochemical materials development is improving performance and durability while ensuring material circularity and scalability. Given the expected growth in demand for electrochemical hydrogen technologies, high-performance materials must also be abundant, environmentally sustainable, and compatible with mass production. Further research is needed to increase the operational flexibility of electrochemical technologies (e.g. reversibility, coupling with intermittent energy sources) to enhance availability and reduce costs. Rapid upscaling and implementation require harmonised, application-relevant testing protocols to establish operational windows, optimise control strategies, and identify degradation mechanisms. The electrochemical processes developed are intended to significantly improve performance (e.g. overall system efficiency, power density, and durability) and reduce costs for electrolysis, fuel cell, and electrochemical pump technologies. Areas of innovation include materials, processes, and devices for the direct electrochemical charging and discharging of hydrogen carriers (e.g. MeOH, NH₃, LOHC systems), as well as for the direct electrochemical synthesis of e-fuels through co-electrolysis technologies.
SP Coordinator Contacts:
Dr. Marie-Laure Fontaine
Research Manager, Chief Scientist SINTEF AS
Te: +47 93479555
SP 2 Development of other processes for alternative production of hydrogen
Coordinator: Josemaria Sanchez Hervas (CIEMAT)
In the future, hydrogen production using electricity will increasingly compete with other electricity uses, such as data centres, heat pumps, and battery electric vehicles. This makes alternative, non-electrochemical hydrogen supply pathways particularly relevant. This SP focuses on the development of materials, processes, and devices for non-electrolytic clean hydrogen production. It covers solar and thermochemical routes for hydrogen production, as well as technologies that produce hydrogen from biomass gasification and methane or biomethane pyrolysis/reforming while avoiding fossil CO₂ emissions. The production of valuable carbon products via methane pyrolysis is also considered. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies are not within the scope of this SP. Areas of innovation include technologies for the exploration, purification, and utilisation of geological hydrogen, as well as other emerging technologies for the non-electrochemical supply of clean hydrogen.
SP Coordinator Contacts:
SP 3 Handling, transport and storage of hydrogen
Coordinator: Jose Bellosta von Colbe (Helmholtz)
(jose.bellostavoncolbe@hereon.de)
Cost-efficient technologies for hydrogen handling, transport, and storage are essential to link renewable energy-rich periods and locations with hydrogen demand, thereby supporting the scale-up of Europe’s hydrogen economy. This SP includes physical hydrogen storage and transport, such as the improvement and development of liquefaction and compression (including underground storage), as well as chemical storage and transport pathways, in particular the synthesis and use of hydrogen derivatives (ammonia, methanol, dimethyl ether, e-fuels), liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) systems, and metal hydrides. Advances in this Sub-Programme require an integrated, multi-scale R&D approach, encompassing atomic and molecular (catalytic interfaces, coatings), material (pellets, cellular and reinforced structures), reactor/device, and plant/system scales. The overall performance of a given technology (including safety, cost, and sustainability) is determined by phenomena across these scales and their interactions. For example, improved catalysts in chemical hydrogen storage enable enhanced processes, while process innovations drive further catalyst development. Process optimisation must ensure the required durability by mitigating material degradation mechanisms through precise control of operational windows at plant level.
Dr. José Maria Bellosta von Colbe
System design for mobility
Scientist
Phone: +49 (4152) 87-2554
SP 4 Hydrogen use and sector coupling
Coordinator: Marcin Błesznowski (IEN)
The utilisation of hydrogen spans applications ranging from its role as a key reactant in the chemical and process industries, to an energy buffer for storage, and as a fuel for power and heat generation. This Sub-Programme focuses on materials, processes, and technologies for non-electrochemical hydrogen applications, including catalytic and non-catalytic hydrogen combustion for process heat provision, hydrogen engines, hydrogen turbines, technologies for the reduction of metal oxides with hydrogen, and other hard-to-abate or hydrogen-based material processing and chemical conversion processes. Among these, chemical conversion processes that support a circular economy by using biomass, plastic waste, or CO₂ as feedstock, are of particular relevance.
SP Coordinator Contacts:
Modelling and digitalization
Coordinator: Mathias Gérard (CEA)
(mathias.gerard@cea.fr)
This SP5, Modelling and digitization, addresses research and development in modelling, numerical simulation, data mining and AI, which are of direct relevance for the future utilisation of hydrogen technologies in Europe. It covers all relevant spatial and temporal scales, from modelling material interfaces at the nanometre scale to plant design, and from fast surface reaction processes to lifetime predictions over extended operational periods. The SP focuses on innovations in codes, models, and methodologies, and provides a research network for developing theoretical tools for materials optimisation, stack and system design, process integration, and scale-up challenges (design, flowsheet, application, etc.). By harmonising software tools and codes, the aim is to enable improved data exchange and sharing within the European research community, thereby promoting scientific collaboration and accelerating development. The SP also promotes open-source codes, supporting open science approaches that leverage recent advances in AI.
SP Coordinator Contact:
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Mathias GERARD, PhD - HDR Division manager Hydrogen Technology (STH2) DTCH Département Thermique, Conversion et Hydrogène Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives 17 rue des martyrs F-38054 Grenoble phone: +33 4 38 78 50 49 cellphone: +33 6 79 97 00 94 |
SP 6 Environmental, Social, Economic, Regulatory and Safety aspects
Coordinator: Fionn Iversen (NORCE)
(fiiv@norceresearch.no)
This Sub-Programme addresses all key sustainability aspects of a future hydrogen economy in Europe, including recycling, the management of critical raw materials, the replacement of problematic materials, and hydrogen emissions to the atmosphere. Based on scientific insights into sustainable business models, infrastructure development needs, techno-economic analysis, social aspects, and safety, it aims to inform hydrogen-related policies and regulations in Europe. The Sub-Programme brings together experts across these disciplines and collaborates closely with other Joint Programmes in related fields, such as the Joint Programme “Clean Energy Transition for Sustainable Society (e3s)”
SP Coordinator Contact:
Fionn Iversen
phone: +47 51 87 56 22