The Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FMEs), dubbed HYDROGENi and HyValue hope to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen by establishing solutions for its use in a new energy future.
HYDROGENi, will focus on both hydrogen and ammonia, and is backed by an approximate budget of NOK 530m ($49.9m). Coordinated by the research organisation SINTEF, the centre is set to run for eight years.
According to the HYDROGENi, it hopes to spearhead research and innovations needed to close knowledge and technical gaps to realise hydrogen’s full potential, as well as working to build a sustainable hydrogen economy in Norway.
H2 View understands, HYDROGENi intends to establish the largest academic research programme in an FME, with plans of educating 35 PhD/postdoc students, and over 100 MSc/BSc candidates.
Nils Røkke, HYDROGENi Centre Director at SINTEF, said, “We want to be a part of the support mechanism to make hydrogen happen. As we all know, hydrogen is much needed in the energy transition towards Net Zero, as well as the targets for 2030. So, we really want to accelerate the development and put the new ideas into plans and into the field – that’s key.”
The HyValue FME led by NORCE, has been granted NOK 15m ($1.4m) annually for eight years by the Research Council.
The HyValue centre plans to develop new methods for hydrogen production and its carriers. It has said it will work on hydrogen transportation and how to use hydrogen to operate ships in a safe way.
Thor Arne Håverstad, acting CEO of NORCE, commented, “We believe that hydrogen is an important component in the energy transition and the future energy system. How important it will be – we do not know today. Our research and innovation work can make a difference. We know that there are challenges such as costs, safety and social acceptance. These questions are dealt with by the centre.”
Commenting on the new centres, Terje Aasland, Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, said, “The Centres will complement and collaborate with each other; in many ways, they must be what connects the different threads for the important R&D work on hydrogen.”
Did you know H2 View is recognised as an official partner of the Hydrogen Council?
This means we get exclusive columns, interviews and studies that you won’t find anywhere else. Along with our featured webinars and events, H2 View is the go to global platform for the hydrogen industry.
Become a subscriber today to make sure you don’t miss out. Already a subscriber? Log in here.