EASTGATEH2V will deploy an integrated H2 ecosystem in the region of Kosice, Slovakia. It brings together all core elements of the value chain i.e. production, distribution infrastructure and end-use of renewable hydrogen across mobility and industry. The project is based on the integration of 4 deployment sites across the region, including 4MW of newly deployed electrolyser capacity deployed in two stages (2 MW alkaline and 2 MW PEM respectively), connected by H2 trailer distribution to 4 distinctive mobility end-user applications, namely buses and a garbage truck, a H2-powered touristic boat and aviation VTOL vehicles, along with delivery of H2 to existing industrial applications. The objective is to facilitate full integration and operational interconnectivity of all these H2 applications with the existing regional transport, industry and broader energy system. EASTGATEH2V will also deliver studies for scaling-up the regional ecosystem, including deployment of pipeline H2 infrastructure at transmission and distribution level, along with studies for the deployment of large-scale renewable H2 supply in neighbouring Ukraine including pipeline interconnections with Kosice region. The EU replicability of this regional H2 ecosystem will be showcased via replication studies with other CEE regions. EASTGATEH2V also aims to address public perception towards hydrogen, by ensuring high visibility of the H2 Valley project to local communities, through a comprehensive communication and dissemination plan. The aim is to expand the project reach beyond technology demonstrations, analysing also its socio-economic impacts, and providing CEE regions with a blueprint for decarbonization of their economies, and an example of the contribution of H2 Valleys towards the EU energy, industry and net zero targets. EASTGATE H2V is an integrated collaborative project, aiming to ensure the uptake of hydrogen and the deployment of H2 Valleys in other regions across EU and beyond.

The North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley – NAHV project builds on the LoI signed in March 2022 by representatives of the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure, Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Autonomous Region in Italy, contributing to the European Green Deal and European Hydrogen Strategy goals. The project’s high-level objective is the creation of a hydrogen-based economic, social and industrial ecosystem based on the capacity of the quadruple helix actors. This will drive economic growth, generating new job opportunities in the framework of both the green and digital transitions and, by creating the conditions for wider EU replicability, it will contribute to the creation of a European Hydrogen Economy, To fulfil these objectives the NAHV project involves a well-rooted partnership of 36 organizations (of which 2 in Hydrogen Europe, 3 in Hydrogen Europe Research), covering the transnational Central European area of 3 territories - Slovenia, Croatia and FVG Region, demonstrating cross-border integration of hydrogen production, distribution and consumption, and exchange of over 20% of NAHV annual hydrogen production of over 5000 tons. The project will activate 17 testbed applications in their related ecosystems, clustered in 3 main pillars - hard to abate, energy and transport sectors. These will act as real-life cases for piloting global hydrogen markets, moving from TRL 6 at the beginning to TRL 8 at the end of the project. Four fuel cell applications in the energy and transport sectors will be demonstrated. Testbeds will then be scaled up at industrial level as a replicable model, contributing to the decarbonisation of the 3 territories by harnessing renewables to improve system resilience, security of supply and energy independence. Replicability will also be ensured for the whole NAHV model, with the uptake of at least 5 additional hydrogen valleys in Europe, particularly in Central and South Eastern Europe.