Value chain

End to end demonstration: 

HYGHER is pioneering the future of hydrogen distribution with cutting-edge technology. The first phase of the project involves developing and constructing key subsystems, including an innovative metal hydride compressor and two high-pressure trailers, each capable of transporting 1.25 tons of hydrogen at 500 bar.

Designed for seamless integration along the hydrogen distribution value chain, these advanced subcomponents will undergo rigorous joint testing to demonstrate real-world commercial operations. Over a 14-month demonstration period in the Paris region, the Hype fleet of fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) taxis will be supplied with locally produced renewable hydrogen via the HYGHER high pressure solution.

This testing phase is critical to showcase the techno-economic performance of the entire value chain. It will highlight the unique benefits of the HYGHER approach, emphasising safety and sustainability.

HYGHER is pioneering the future of hydrogen distribution with cutting-edge technology. The first phase of the project involves developing and constructing key subsystems, including an innovative metal hydride compressor and two high-pressure trailers, each capable of transporting 1.25 tons of hydrogen at 500 bar.

Designed for seamless integration along the hydrogen distribution value chain, these advanced subcomponents will undergo rigorous joint testing to demonstrate real-world commercial operations. Over a 14-month demonstration period in the Paris region, the Hype fleet of fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) taxis will be supplied with locally produced renewable hydrogen via the HYGHER high pressure solution.

This testing phase is critical to showcase the techno-economic performance of the entire value chain. It will highlight the unique benefits of the HYGHER approach, emphasising safety and sustainability.

Advanced hydrogen compression

Compression plays a major role in the hydrogen value chain. Traditional mechanical compressors, commonly used in refuelling stations, present challenges due to their high capital (CAPEX) and operational expenditures (OPEX), coupled with insufficient reliability. Within the HYGHER project, EIFHYTEC offers an innovative thermochemical compression technology leveraging an absorption/desorption thermochemical principle in metal hydrides. Learn more about how thermochemical compression works by looking at the COSMHYC XL video.

Compression plays a major role in the hydrogen value chain. Traditional mechanical compressors, commonly used in refuelling stations, present challenges due to their high capital (CAPEX) and operational expenditures (OPEX), coupled with insufficient reliability. Within the HYGHER project, EIFHYTEC offers an innovative thermochemical compression technology leveraging an absorption/desorption thermochemical principle in metal hydrides. Learn more about how thermochemical compression works by looking at the COSMHYC XL video.

The metal hydride compressor designated for installation at the HYGHER filling centre is engineered to compress 1.8 tons/day of hydrogen from 25 bar to 500 bar. This solution will be CE certified in the scope of the project, underscoring its compliance with stringent safety and performance standards.

  • Modular design: The system’s modular configuration ensures scalability and flexibility to meet varying hydrogen compression requirements.
  • Reliability & maintenance: The absence of mechanical moving parts significantly enhances system reliability and reduces maintenance costs.
  • Waste Heat Utilization: A standout feature of the metal hydride compressor is its ability to utilise waste heat sources, improving the whole hydrogen value chain efficiency.

High-capacity tube trailers

For high-capacity hydrogen transport, RECOMA will manufacture two innovative high-pressure Multiple-Element Gas Container (MEGC) trailers capable of each transporting 1,250 kg of hydrogen at 500 bar. Leveraging its advanced expertise in MEGC and tube trailer manufacturing and a robust supply chain of cylinders and other components’ producers, RECOMA will design these new MEGC tube trailers with innovative cascading concepts for optimised filling and unloading. The goal is to store and transport the maximum amount of hydrogen safely and efficiently.

  • Multiple-Element Gas Container: The MEGC made with Type IV cylinders and maximising hydrogen load capacity up to 1,250 kg, significantly reducing travel frequency and pollution.
  • Cascading System: The MEGC is divided into independent sections to create a cascade system, ensuring optimal filling and unloading processes.
  • Flexible Chassis: Designed for easy maintenance, the flexible chassis prevents immobilisation, enhancing operational efficiency.

The new MEGC tube trailers will be assembled, rigorously tested, and fully certified at RECOMA´s manufacturing facility in Sermoneta, Italy. Following certification, these trailers will be operated by Hype for the HYGHER demonstration in the Paris Region, France.

The new MEGC tube trailers will be assembled, rigorously tested, and fully certified at RECOMA´s manufacturing facility in Sermoneta, Italy. Following certification, these trailers will be operated by Hype for the HYGHER demonstration in the Paris Region, France.

The new MEGC tube trailers will be assembled, rigorously tested, and fully certified at RECOMA´s manufacturing facility in Sermoneta, Italy. Following certification, these trailers will be operated by Hype for the HYGHER demonstration in the Paris Region, France.

Comprehensive value chain integration

 Strategic Location in the Paris Region: The consortium has strategically chosen two sites in the Paris region for its demonstration, ensuring substantial impact, strong representativeness for future replication, and significant potential for scale-up. Operated by Hype, this demonstration is a key component of its strategic hydrogen ecosystem deployment plan in Paris, exclusively powered by locally produced green hydrogen.

 Strategic Location in the Paris Region: The consortium has strategically chosen two sites in the Paris region for its demonstration, ensuring substantial impact, strong representativeness for future replication, and significant potential for scale-up. Operated by Hype, this demonstration is a key component of its strategic hydrogen ecosystem deployment plan in Paris, exclusively powered by locally produced green hydrogen.

HYGHER Filling Centre: A cornerstone of this project is the new HYGHER filling centre, which will be developed and operated by Hype. The operation relies on the development of a 5 MW electrolysis unit, collocated with a 1 ton/day refuelling station. Key features include:

  • Innovative Compression Technology: Utilising EIFHYTEC’s advanced compressor, the filling centre will facilitate high-flow and high-pressure filling.
  • Optimised Trailer Interface: RECOMA’s new tuber trailers will enhance loading/unloading efficiency, enable hydrogen tracking and improve safety.

New HYGHER Refuelling Station: In addition to the filling centre, a separate refuelling station will be constructed and adapted to accommodate HYGHER’s high-pressure trailers. This station will increase capacity and efficiency by valorising the full range of the supplied high-pressure hydrogen, by

  • Enhanced Piping and Compression: Adapting supply piping and designing compressors for a 500 bar inlet pressure.
  • Implementing by-pass options to minimize compression needs.
  • Seamless Communication: Establishing interfaces between the refuelling station and trailers for a cascading effect during offloading.

HYGHER Filling Centre: A cornerstone of this project is the new HYGHER filling centre, which will be developed and operated by Hype. The operation relies on the development of a 5 MW electrolysis unit, collocated with a 1 ton/day refuelling station. Key features include:

  • Innovative Compression Technology: Utilising EIFHYTEC’s advanced compressor, the filling centre will facilitate high-flow and high-pressure filling.
  • Optimised Trailer Interface: RECOMA’s new tuber trailers will enhance loading/unloading efficiency, enable hydrogen tracking and improve safety.

New HYGHER Refuelling Station: In addition to the filling centre, a separate refuelling station will be constructed and adapted to accommodate HYGHER’s high-pressure trailers. This station will increase capacity and efficiency by valorising the full range of the supplied high-pressure hydrogen, by

  • Enhanced Piping and Compression: Adapting supply piping and designing compressors for a 500 bar inlet pressure.
  • Implementing by-pass options to minimize compression needs.
  • Seamless Communication: Establishing interfaces between the refuelling station and trailers for a cascading effect during offloading.

Strategic Positioning Both the filling centre and the new refuelling station are located a few kilometres from TEN-T corridors, reinforcing the European hydrogen infrastructure. The distance between the sites is optimal for demonstrating the interoperability of the filling centre and refuelling station, showcasing the HYGHER distribution logistics at a relevant scale.

Strategic Positioning Both the filling centre and the new refuelling station are located a few kilometres from TEN-T corridors, reinforcing the European hydrogen infrastructure. The distance between the sites is optimal for demonstrating the interoperability of the filling centre and refuelling station, showcasing the HYGHER distribution logistics at a relevant scale.

Safety in HYGHER

Commitment to Safety: The safe operation of high-pressure hydrogen technologies throughout the supply chain is crucial for gaining social acceptance and accelerating the deployment of hydrogen mobility. The HYGHER consortium is dedicated to this mission, incorporating hydrogen safety professionals to oversee the entire safety and regulatory landscape, from manufacturer obligations to the comprehensive supply chain concept.

Commitment to Safety: The safe operation of high-pressure hydrogen technologies throughout the supply chain is crucial for gaining social acceptance and accelerating the deployment of hydrogen mobility. The HYGHER consortium is dedicated to this mission, incorporating hydrogen safety professionals to oversee the entire safety and regulatory landscape, from manufacturer obligations to the comprehensive supply chain concept.

Safety plan: A meticulous safety plan will be developed, serving as a guideline for all project phases. Key elements include:

  • Ensuring all manufacturers comply with stringent safety requirements.
  • Compliance to all European and national regulations, codes, and standards.
  • Thorough Safety Studies for all developed subsystems and detailed safety assessments at all demonstration sites.

A Safety Blueprint will be prepared to provide a global perspective on the hydrogen supply chain. This overarching approach will integrate all safety aspects into a cohesive overall safety concept and focuses on potential interactions and interdependencies between individual subsystems and sites.

This supply chain safety concept will facilitate the sharing of best practices within the hydrogen industry and provide recommendations to support the broader deployment of high-pressure hydrogen supply.

Sustainable innovation

HYGHER is dedicated to enhancing the sustainability and resilience of the EU hydrogen supply chain through improved efficiency, circularity approaches, and reduced reliance on critical raw materials. The project ensures the sustainability of its innovative value chain by conducting environmental Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and exploring circularity strategies such as material choices, recyclability, and second-life applications. Key contributions to sustainability and resilience:

  • Whole Value Chain free of Critical Raw Materials: The metal hydrides developed by EIFHYTEC are free of rare earths, ensuring geopolitical independence and supply chain resilience.
  • Reduced Standard Materials: Enhanced kinetics and composition of hydrides minimise the use of steel and metal alloys in compressor construction. Additionally, refuelling stations capable of using 500-bar trailers as storage directly connected to dispensers optimise steel usage for storage.
  • Second-Life Strategies for Trailers: Exploring opportunities to re-qualify and repurpose trailers for other applications, promoting sustainability through extended product lifecycles.

To achieve these goals, the project includes:

  • Detailed assessment of environmental impacts at the component level to identify circularity potential and improve resource efficiency.
  • Comprehensive Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (E-LCA): of the HYGHER supply chain and benchmarking against existing hydrogen distribution systems to validate sustainability improvements.