Hydrogen

1st leading region in terms of value chain representation

100 establishments
1,200 employees
5 Gigafactory

2 Hydrogen Energy courses
4 engineering schools linked to the sector

Hydrogen in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region is actively contributing to meeting the challenge of the ecological and energy transition. It also aims, through innovation, which is one of the six areas of competitiveness in the Regional Economic Development, Innovation and Internationalisation Plan, to lead the region’s businesses into new markets that will create development and jobs

“Hydrogen Territory” label

In 2016, the region was awarded the “Hydrogen Territory” label, thanks to several large-scale demonstration projects implementing the hydrogen energy vector in the territories. A whole business-research-training ecosystem has been developed around hydrogen, supported by local authorities, clusters and centres linked to the sector, in order to achieve the objective of becoming a positive energy territory by 2050.

The BFC, European reference in test infrastructures for fuel cells, tanks, electrolysers, EMC…

Initiated in Belfort at the end of the 20th century, the hydrogen adventure has since developed throughout the region. The first work on fuel cell systems began in 1999 thanks to the actors of the FCLAB Support and Research Unit (UAR FCLAB), associated with the CNRS and the FEMTO-ST laboratory.

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

Leafleat (en)

Some companies in the sector

Adhex, Alstom, Avia, Avions Mauboussin, CLHYNN, Colibri Energie, Delfingen, Dephis, DYG Energy, Engie, Forvia, Fruehauf, Gaussin, General Electric, Gen-Hy, H2Sys, Hynamics, Inocel, Inovyn, Justy, Lamberet, Laser Cheval, Mac Plus, Magyar, Mahytec (Groupe HENSOLDT), McPhy, Mincatec Energy, Oreca, Packmat, Pressmac Presse Étude, SBM Chauffage, Schrader Pacific, SETAP, Stellantis, Streit Group, Sundyne, Total Énergies, Vaison Sport, Valmetal, XYDROGEN, etc.

Involved partners

• Pôle Véhicule du Futur : The Pôle Véhicule du Futur is a reference cluster for vehicles, mobility solutions and associated services.
• Polymeris : Polymeris is the only competitiveness cluster dedicated to rubber, plastics and composites.
• Mecateamcluster : Mecateamcluster is studying solutions for the electrification of machinery and equipment based on hydrogen technology.
• Vallée de l’Énergie : Energy Valley is a real centre of expertise conducive to the development of a large complex systems integration sector for the production, management and distribution of electrical energy.

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.
• ISTHY : H2 storage system certification and requalification centre
• Laboratoire ICB : development of advanced materials, study of their durability, processes and reactivity phenomena at solid/solid and solid/gas interfaces
• Plateforme pile à combustible 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.
• Core H2 Center de Faurecia : a global centre of expertise dedicated to the development of hydrogen storage systems, new generation high-pressure tanks and a test centre for characterising these tanks.

McPhy

• Type de project: creation
• Activity: hydrogen production and distribution equipment
• Location: Belfort (90)
  
• Partners: État, Région BFC, Grand Belfort
• Expected jobs: 400
  

As a specialist in hydrogen production and distribution equipment, McPhy is contributing to the worldwide deployment of zero-carbon hydrogen as a solution for the energy transition. On February 10, 2022, the establishment of McPhy in Belfort was confirmed. The objective is to start production in the first half of 2024 with a gradual ramp-up to a capacity of 1GM per year. The construction of this new industrial infrastructure would represent an investment of 30 to 40 M€. It would lead to the creation, at full load, of more than 500 McPhy jobs, including 400 in France.

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.

HYDROGEN RAIL FREIGHT IN EUROPE – LOCOMOTIVE MANUFACTURED BY ALSTOM BELFORT

Following the production of Alstom’s dual-mode Prima H4 locomotive, designed for shunting and track work, Alstom is continuing its development of specialised freight locomotives in Europe as part of its merger with Engie. The initial objective of this development is therefore to decarbonise freight transport in Europe. The manufacturing process consists of hybridizing electric locomotives with a hydrogen power supply, by adding a high-powered fuel cell system to be developed by Alstom at its Belfort site.

AUXHYGEN (AUXERRE) – HYDROGEN STATION IN AUXERRE

With a capacity of 1 megawatt, the AuxHYGen station will produce up to 400 kg of green hydrogen per day thanks to water electrolysis. This first Hynamics project in France should make it possible to avoid the emission of 2,200 tonnes of CO2 each year. It is already powering 5 Safra hydrogen buses on the urban transport network and will soon power the Coradia H2 TERs ordered by the Region.

ORECA – FIRST HYDROGEN ENGINE TEST BENCH

ORECA Magny-Cours, a major player in the field of engine preparation, has been working hard to upgrade one of its test benches in order to accommodate, from the end of the first quarter of 2022, hydrogen technology engines on behalf of manufacturers, promoters or private teams.

DIJON METROPOLE SMART ENERGHY – A COMPLETE ZERO EMISSION HYDROGEN ECOSYSTEM

ORECA Magny-Cours, a major player in the field of engine preparation, has been working hard to upgrade one of its test benches in order to accommodate, from the end of the first quarter of 2022, hydrogen technology engines on behalf of manufacturers, promoters or private teams.

GAUSSIN – SKATEBOARD FOR ZERO EMISSION TRUCKS

Gaussin has developed a modular platform for 100% hydrogen and electric road trucks. Based on the ultra-light and modular “Skateboard” chassis, these new electric vehicles will be available either with a hydrogen fuel cell or with battery packs.

Discover the projects

CMI Hydrogène-Énergie et Efficacité Énergétique – Université de Franche-Comté

The CMI Hydrogen-Energy and Energy Efficiency offered by the University of Franche-Comté 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.

Specialised Master in Hydrogen Energy – Université de Technologie 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.

Find out about other training courses