Hydrogen

Leading region
in terms of value chain representation

100 establishments
1,000 employees by 2030
2 electrolyser gigafactories
1 fuel cell gigafactory

1 CMI Hydrogen Energy and Energy Efficiency
4 engineering schools linked to the sector
Hydrogen-focused BTS, bachelor’s and master’s degrees

The objective of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is to become a Positive Energy and carbon neutral region looking forward to 2050. The Hydrogen roadmap, developed in conjunction with all those involved in the hydrogen ecosystem, confirms the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region’s commitment to embracing the challenge of ecological and energy transition.

6 reasons to choose Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

• Public research at the highest international level
• Test and trial centres (fuel cells, EMC, electrolysers, ICE H2 technology, etc.)
• Applied industrialists throughout the value chain
• Competitiveness clusters and active clusters
• Committed local authorities
• Development of new dedicated training courses

Some companies in the sector

Adhex, Alstom, Avia, Avions Mauboussin, CLHYNN, Danielson, DYG Energy, Emitech Groupe, Engie, fHybera, FluidExpert, FORVIA, Four Data, Fruehauf, General Electric, Gen-Hy, H2Sys, Hivelix, Hynamics, Inocel, John Cockerill, JR Automation, Ligier, Mincatec Energy, Oreca, Packmat System, Presse Étude, RH2, Réservoirs Pauchard, SON SAS, Sundyne, Suntec, Synops, Texy’s Group, Total Énergies, Vaison Sport, etc.

Involved partners

• Pôle Véhicule du Futur : This competitiveness cluster for vehicles and mobility solutions supports projects and their deployment in the Hydrogen field (stationary, mobile application, energy, carbon intensity reduction in industry), coordinates the H2BFC Club and organises the H2BFC Forum.
• Polymeris : Competitiveness cluster dedicated to rubber, plastic and composites supporting H2 storage and transport reduction solutions as well as innovative new materials for electrolysers.
• Mecateamcluster : Cluster specialising in the design, development and maintenance of heavy-duty railway machinery and infrastructure, studying electrification solutions.
• Vallée de l’Énergie : Cluster of industrial and academic stakeholders involved in the design and manufacture of low-carbon solutions (hydrogen, renewable energy, nuclear, etc.) and the reduction in the carbon intensity of industrial
  activities and uses.
• Agronov : A hub for innovation in agroecology, driving agricultural transition
  Project for a carbon-free tractor, empowering isolated agricultural sites

A state-of-the-art scientific and technical environment

• Unité d’Appui et de Recherche FCLAB : fuel cell research and services unit.
• Institut FEMTO-ST : the first CNRS laboratory for hydrogen energy at national level.
• Laboratoire Drive de l’ISAT : research department in electric vehicle engineering with a focus on hydrogen for the environment.
• Laboratoire ICB : development of advanced materials, study of their durability, processes and reactivity phenomena at solid/solid and solid/gas interfaces
• Plateforme Hydrogène-Énergie de l’UTBM : one of the most important European public facilities for research, testing and industrial transfer in the field of hydrogen energy and fuel cell systems.

John Cockerill

• Type de project: creation
• Activity: hydrogen production and distribution equipment
• Location: Fontaine (90)
  
• Partners: État, Région BFC, Grand Belfort

As a specialist in hydrogen production and distribution equipment, John Cockerill is contributing to the global roll-out of zero-carbon hydrogen as a solution for the energy transition. On 10 February 2022, the establishment of McPhy in Greater Belfort was confirmed. Acquired by John Cockerill in 2025, the Belgian company will produce high-power electrolysers there.

Gen-Hy

• Type de project: Design, manufacture and marketing of electrolysers
  
• Activity: Automotive industry
  
• Location: Montbéliard (25)
• Partners: État, Région BFC, Pays de Montbéliard Agglomération, SEM PMIE, ADN-FC
  
• Expected jobs: 120

A spin-off of FlexFuel Energy Development, a company specialising in future technologies, Gen-Hy has developed a new generation of electrolysers incorporating its innovative and patented ZERO GAP technology (Anion Exchange Membrane). The company, whose R&D is historically based in the south of the Ile-de-France region, has chosen to set up in the Pays de Montbéliard Agglomération, and in particular in the Technoland 2 business park, to produce its range of Hy-Cube® electrolysers on a large scale. Gen-Hy announces the creation of 120 jobs by 2025 on the site.

Belfort e-start
Creation of the largest renewable energy community in France and the first in the commercial building sector, with 3.3 MWp of photovoltaic production capacity, coupled with energy storage solutions based on batteries and green hydrogen.

Bel’Hynov station (Belfort)
H2 multimodal production, storage and distribution station to power buses in Greater Belfort within an industrial ecosystem

Tiers-Lieu Hydrogène Project (Montbéliard)
A welcoming venue that raises awareness of hydrogen among the general public, young people seeking career guidance, students, event organisers

Dijon Métropole Smart Energhy
Deployment of a hydrogen ecosystem with applications for mobility and stationary applications: refuse collection vehicles, buses, trucks, cars…

AuxHygen station (Auxerre)
Development of an ecosystem focused mainly on mobility applications (buses, HGVs, LGVs, light commercial vehicles, regional express trains), retrofits and training.

TES – Energy Transition
First private heavy H2 mobility ecosystem: production, storage and distribution station + fleet of H2 refrigerated trucks (Schiever group)

CMI Hydrogène-Énergie et Efficacité Énergétique
University of Marie and Louis Pasteur

The CMI Hydrogen-Energy and Energy Efficiency offered by the University of Marie and Louis Pasteur provides a 5-year training course for engineers in energy production and management, with students who will be experts in the fields of energy efficiency and clean energy, with particular expertise in hydrogen energy (production, transport and stationary applications, etc.). A highly selective training programme of excellence, the first class of which graduated in 2019.

This CMI trains engineers in innovative techniques for the production and management of energy, particularly thermal and electrical energy, with a focus on an energy carrier of the future: hydrogen.

AFPA, ‘Skills incubator’ linked to the H2 sector

• Training courses dedicated to professions in the installation and maintenance of hydrogen equipment
• H2-focused Higher Technician in Industrial Maintenance

*Non-exhaustive list

Specialised Master in Hydrogen Energy
University of Technology Belfort-Montbéliard

The objective of this specialised Master’s degree in hydrogen energy is to acquire expertise, a double competence in the field of hydrogen energy or to deepen this field with a view to career development by covering both the theoretical and field aspects. More specifically, graduates will be able to:

• Analyse the suitability of hydrogen for an application,
• Compare and choose ways to produce, store, distribute and consume hydrogen,
• Design and operate stationary and on-board systems,
• Contribute to the development of a new hydrogen activity in a company or a hydrogen ecosystem,
• Respect the regulations and manage the risks,
• Know the major players in the value chain.