Hy2Market Regional Highlight: Upper Austria
As a key region in the Hy2Market project, Upper Austria stands out for its comprehensive approach to fostering a hydrogen-based economy as a frontrunner with its newly launched Large-scale Hydrogen Valley. With eight dedicated partners in the project, the region is following an innovative and collaborative approach that leads to new solutions across the hydrogen value chain, from world-leading research in underground storage to application in diverse industry sectors like steel and ammonia, solidifying its role as a European leader in terms of hydrogen applications.
The strength of Upper Austria’s hydrogen ecosystem lies in the collaborative efforts of its eight Hy2Market partners:
WIVA P&G drives hydrogen projects in hard-to-defossilize energy-intensive sectors in Austria and its neighboring countries and maintains an extensive stakeholder network across Europe, that helps bringing together experts to foster the hydrogen economy in the best possible way. As Lead of Work Package 4 (Industrial Usage of H2) and Work Package 6 (Knowledge exchange) WIVA P&G helps to coordinate the respective tasks and prepare a report on suggestions for improvement to simplify and harmonize standards and regulations in the European Union.
K1-MET is the leading metallurgic competence center in Austria and works side by side with the Montanuniversität Leoben which is the University of Mining, Steel Production and Green Tech in Austria. They test innovative materials and technologies in a demo plant at the voestalpine site in Linz to reduce the CO2 footprint of steel production as effectively as possible.
Prozess Optimal CAP GmbH is a company for chemical and process engineering with a focus on process simulation and modelling. In the Hy2Market project, they are involved in Work Package 2 (H2 Production) and Work Package 4 (Industrial Usage of H2), where they provide simulation models in a flowsheet-based environment using thermodynamic models and the integration of reaction kinetics. In addition to the methanisation plant modelled including the CO2 scrubber and PEM electrolyser, models are also being developed for various applications for carbon capturing like formation of methanol, CH4 or power-to-liquid (Fischer – Tropsch).
Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) is Austria’s largest Research and Technology Organization (RTO) and is heavily involved in the international science scene. Due to its close proximity to technology, it is a powerful development partner for various industrial partners. Therefore, AIT is involved in Work Package 4 for the Industrial Usage of H2. They will focus on the use of hydrogen in industrial furnaces and will develop simulation models to assess the implications of fuel switches in the processes, based on 5-7 industrial case studies. Findings from the case studies will be aggregated to highlight process conditions that are well suited for the use of hydrogen and shared as a part of the knowledge exchange
VERBUND as Austria’s biggest energy company with almost 100% of green energy is providing the green hydrogen needed, as well as implementing a purification and drying unit to improve the H2 quality in the existing 6MW PEM-Electrolyzer in Linz.
Business Upper Austria fosters innovation and cross-sector collaboration in Upper Austria. The organization is engaged in knowledge transfer and dissemination activities within the project and organizes knowledge transfer webinars. In these webinars, knowledge created and gathered from within the project, as well as from beyond the project, is publicly shared. Furthermore, with WIVA P&G, Business Upper Austria oversees the final project’s conference, which will take place in Upper Austria.
Upper Austria’s commitment to hydrogen innovation not only benefits the region but also contributes to the broader goals of Hy2Market, including building interconnected hydrogen value chains across Europe. With its strong partner network and innovative projects, Upper Austria is setting a benchmark for hydrogen adoption and integration. These achievements will play a crucial role in reaching the Fit-for-55 and 2050 decarbonization goals, as well as ambitious national and regional climate protection goals, solidifying the region’s position as a cornerstone of Europe’s hydrogen future.
HI2 Valley in Austria:
HI2 Valley Kick-Off and Consortium Partners:
