Hy2Market Regional Highlight: Constanța, Romania
As a key region within the Hy2Market project, Constanța is pioneering innovative solutions that demonstrate how hydrogen can drive both environmental sustainability and regional economic development. With two highly engaged partners, MEDGreen Cluster and IAC Special Projects, Constanța is advancing hydrogen production from waste biomass as well as laying the foundations for zero-emission mobility tailored to local needs. Together, these efforts make Constanța an emerging example of how hydrogen can support the green transition in Southeast Europe.
Figure 1 – Modular waste pyrolysis installation
A major pillar of Constanța’s involvement is the development of a standard waste-to-hydrogen module, capable of processing 100 kg of waste biomass per hour. This unit builds on a pilot installation whose concept and detailed design have already been completed, along with feasibility and market studies for commercialisation. The process produces valuable biochar, which plays a critical role in restoring degraded farmland and improving soil productivity, an important challenge in both rural and urban areas of the region.
Figure 2 – Pilot hydrogen separation unit from syngas
During pyrolysis, fractions of syngas and liquid condensates are also produced. For Hy2Market, the innovative next step is the creation of a graphene-based filtering system that separates hydrogen from the syngas fraction. This system will enable hydrogen conditioning and use in mobility or industrial applications. The outcomes from this technological development will be captured in Report D2.21, summarising the validation of the standard unit and its potential deployment across the region.
Within this work, MEDGreen Cluster plays a central role. As a network of universities, companies, and public institutions, MEDGreen brings strong regional coordination and innovation capacity to the project. Their activities span waste-to-hydrogen development, mobility planning, and the evaluation of hydrogen value chains from production to distribution and end use. MEDGreen’s work includes exploring opportunities to create a local manufacturing platform for hydrogen buses, forging links between new technologies and economic development in Constanța County. By advancing these interconnected activities, MEDGreen helps showcase how hydrogen can contribute to green growth, job creation, and long-term sustainability in the South-East Region of Romania.
Figure 3 – Demonstration route for a public transport hydrogen van
Complementing this production-focused work, Constanța is also contributing to Hy2Market’s mobility agenda through the development of an innovative 100 kW minibus, designed in two variants: a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) powered by hydrogen. IAC Special Projects leads this effort by conducting the feasibility study, technical concept, and engineering for this mobility solution, including the preliminary assessment with the Romanian Car Register. Their long-standing expertise in public transport vehicle engineering, spanning over 1,500 vehicles produced or sold, ensures that the minibus concept is grounded in practical, scalable design.
Figure 4 – HFC van concept
IAC’s work helps lay the foundations for a future of zero-emission public transport in Romania, contributing essential knowledge for local authorities and operators as they evaluate the shift toward hydrogen mobility. This is particularly significant given the absence of a regional hydrogen plan, making the Constanța study an important reference for future policymaking and regional planning.
Figure 5 -Powertrain concept testing and validation
Based on the support received from Hy2Market consortium partners, the MEDGreen Cluster team developed the modelling and simulation of the HFC van, putting an emphasis on the powertrain concept and further, detailed design activities are taking place.
Figure 6 – HFC van manufacturing location and plant design concept
Together, MEDGreen Cluster and IAC Special Projects are shaping a holistic hydrogen pathway for the Constanța region, connecting circular hydrogen production, innovative mobility, and regional development. Their combined efforts embody Hy2Market’s mission of supporting local hydrogen ecosystems while contributing to Europe’s wider decarbonisation objectives. By integrating technological innovation with regional needs, Constanța is emerging as a pioneering case for hydrogen adoption and a catalyst for Romania’s green transition.