One of the EU's strategies to shift away from fossil fuels is to accelerate the development of clean hydrogen, ensuring its role as a foundation for a climate-neutral energy system by 2050. Green hydrogen can become a valuable tool to decarbonise certain industrial sectors, namely those that require heat from high temperatures, long-distance mobility and maritime transport.

In this sense, CoLAB HyLAB emerges as a network of researchers and professionals who will collaborate to leverage the production, transportation, distribution, storage and use of this novel energy source. The CoLab also focuses on improving highly-qualified employment in this field, promoting collaboration between scientific institutions and the business fabric, while developing tailored training actions.

INESC TEC's participation in CoLAB HyLAB will contribute to the development of an industrial cluster in the hydrogen area, where Portugal may become a key exporter. Among other scientific areas, INESC TEC will promote the development of solutions to support the management of renewable electricity parks dedicated to the production of hydrogen. The technical management of renewable gas networks, the optimisation of hydrogen production and storage for seasonal energy storing will also be addressed, in order to ensure the security of supply in the electricity sector, control the volatility of market prices and explore the possibility of electrolysers providing system services.

According to João Peças Lopes, associate director of INESC TEC, this is a striking opportunity to the institution, since “it's crucial to keep up with these technological changes, which translate into scientific and business development opportunities”.

The founding members of the collaborative laboratory are EDP, GALP, REN, Bondalti Chemicals, SA, IST, UPORTO, LNEG, INEGI, INESC TEC, CEiiA, INL and Lisbon’s Universidade Nova.

The INESC TEC researcher mentioned in this news piece is associated with INESC TEC and UP-FEUP.