The H2Excellence Project-Fuel Cells and Green Hydrogen Centers of Vocational Excellence Towards Achieving Affordable, Secure, and Sustainable Energy for Europe

The demand for green hydrogen (H2) and related technologies is expected to increase in the coming years, driven by climate changes and energy security of supply issues, amid the European and global energy crises. The European Green Deal and REpowerEU Plan have identified H2 as a key pillar for reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and for the intensification of hydrogen delivery targets, bringing the large-scale adoption of hydrogen production and applications, and stressing the need for a skilled workforce in emergent H2 markets. To that end, the H2Excellence project will establish a Platform of Vocational Excellence in the field of fuel cells and green hydrogen technologies, with an educational and training scheme to tackle identified skill gaps and to implement life-long learning opportunities. This project aims to become a European benchmark in training and knowledge transfer, incorporating the entire hydrogen value chain. The work is supported by the Knowledge Triangle Model, integrating education, research, and innovation efforts to build a dynamic ecosystem in the green hydrogen sector. In this work, activities conducted so far by LNEG as a project partner and expected impacts are highlighted. Those activities are based on a stakeholder needs assessment conducted by project partners and on the knowledge and experience accumulated in research activities developed in the Materials for Energy research area.