Hydrogen Valleys

What is a Hydrogen Valley?

A Hydrogen Valley is a localised area that promotes the production and use of green hydrogen, through the development of infrastructure and partnerships between industry, government, and local communities. They prioritise the use of hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources in transportation, heat and power applications, and industrial processes, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable economic development.  

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Hydrogen Valleys may vary in size and scope depending on local energy needs and resources. Some may focus on small-scale projects and the local use of hydrogen in mobility or households, while others may be larger and more export-oriented, with a focus on industrial uses of hydrogen or energy system balancing among other uses. Hydrogen valleys are design to accommodate local or regional needs.  

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The deployment of Hydrogen Valleys can help to demonstrate the potential benefits of hydrogen-based energy systems: create new opportunities for economic growth, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, promote job creation, and contribute to the overall transition to a more sustainable energy system.  

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By scaling up the production and use of green hydrogen and the demand for green hydrogen growth, Hydrogen Valleys can also promote EU energy independence by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and creating new economic opportunities for renewable energy industries and sustainable mobility in sectors as railways, aviation and shipping. 

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Overall, the development of Hydrogen Valleys is a promising way to showcase the potential of hydrogen-based energy systems and to support the achievement of the EU's decarbonisation objectives. 

Hydrogen Islands

The concept of "Hydrogen Islands" builds on the idea of Hydrogen Valleys that are being deployed in several European regions (notably our projects "BIG HIT"  in the Orkney Islands and "HEAVENN" in the Northern Netherlands).

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Very much like traditional Hydrogen Valleys, Hydrogen Islands develop green hydrogen ecoysystems that bring together H2 producers and users in the same geographical space - except that it's all happening on an island, such as in the first Southern European Hydrogen Island project "GREEN HYSLAND" in Mallorca, which we co-designed, successfully raised the EU funding for and are now busy implementing together with our 30 partners.

The Future of Hydrogen Valleys

Moving forward, Hydrogen Valleys are essential key building blocks for building a European network of hydrogen hubs, which will be connected through the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) and virtual pipelines, thus creating an economy fuelled by green hydrogen and other renewable energy sources.