idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Effective communication and dissemination are essential in EU-funded innovation projects, especially when introducing new technologies to the market. As a project partner for a series of hydrogen projects (COSMHYC project series), Steinbeis Europa Zentrum has created communication and dissemination strategies to increase the visibility and impact of the project results.
For the COSMHYC project series, outreach has not only increased visibility but has also played a strong role in preparing the deployment of hydrogen compression technology. By engaging technical experts, future end-users, policymakers, and the wider public, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and the consortium actively built trust around this a new solution which can be used for hydrogen refuelling.
A long-term communication and dissemination strategy
Since the beginning of the COSMHYC project series, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum has implemented a coordinated strategy together with the consortium. The aim has been clear: share scientific and technical progress, demonstrate performance, and build a community of early-adopters around the technology.
Real-world demonstration as a communication platform
With COSMHYC DEMO, outreach entered a “real word” phase. The construction of the hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) in Sorigny, France and on-site demonstration activities of the new compression system provided a unique environment for communication, and hands-on learning. The Communauté de Communes Touraine Vallée de l’Indre (CCTVI), operator of the HRS, used the new equipment as a platform for actively promoting hydrogen mobility within the region. Activities included visits for local companies, a documentary created by high school students, and a dedicated four-hour hydrogen training for university students followed by an on-site station tour.
Engaging stakeholders through events
Two major events marked the project’s final phase: an “avant-première” and an official opening ceremony. Both brought together national and regional stakeholders from policy and industry. Participants experienced hydrogen mobility first-hand, understanding how refuelling works, discovering different hydrogen vehicles, and even riding in a hydrogen-powered garbage truck or testing hydrogen bikes.
Project achievements
The COSMHYC DEMO project has delivered the world’s first HRS integrating both a new two-stage mechanical compressor developed by Cavendish Hydrogen and an innovative thermochemical metal hydride compressor from EIFHYTEC. All components, as well as the fully integrated installation, have obtained CE certification, and the completed test programme, including hydrogen purity assessments, confirms full compliance with the latest European regulatory requirements for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
The new HRS, located within the HYSOPARC project near Tours, France, plays a central role in supporting local hydrogen mobility. Operational since 2024, the dual-pressure station supplies multiple vehicle types at 700 bar and 350 bar, including one of the first 700-bar hydrogen garbage trucks in operation.
Performance analyses demonstrated efficiency, operational flexibility, and significant reductions in maintenance and operating costs associated with the compression solution. With these results, COSMHYC DEMO has strengthened the technological foundation for hydrogen mobility in the CCTVI region and showcased compression technologies with strong potential to accelerate hydrogen deployment.
Thermochemical compressors for real-world applications
A core element of the COSMHYC DEMO hybrid compression solution is the thermochemical compressor developed by the French industrial SME EIFHYTEC. Based on progress in the former COSMHYC project series, the innovative compressor was commissioned on-site in less than one month thanks to its containerised, and standardised design. This approach greatly simplifies maintenance and reduces civil-engineering requirements, as no vibration mitigation measures are required. This ISO 14687:2025 grade-D-ready system can compress up to 250 kg H₂ per day from 30 to 450 bar.
EIFHYTEC’s thermochemical technology is now available in multiple configurations, from small units to high-capacity machines delivering flow rates over 100 kg/h. These systems are suited not only for hydrogen refuelling stations but also for industrial and logistics applications requiring efficient, low-maintenance hydrogen compression.
International recognition and further real-life applications
The results of COSMHYC DEMO have earned international recognition, with three major awards highlighting the project’s contribution to advancing hydrogen mobility:
• Second Place – IEA Hydrogen TCP “Award of Excellence” 2025 for COSMHYC DEMO
• Hy-FCell 2025 Product & Market Award for EIFHYTEC’s thermochemical compressor
• Best Outreach Award 2025, awarded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership to COSMHYC DEMO
Building on this success, the technology is now being scaled up in the HYGHER project (launched 2024), which aims to establish a cost-efficient, high-pressure hydrogen supply chain. HYGHER will deploy and extend the thermochemical compression technology demonstrated in COSMHYC DEMO to improve hydrogen distribution and logistics.
COSMHYC DEMO is a Horizon 2020 EU project funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, coordinated by the European Institute For Energy Research (EIFER, Germany) which aims to demonstrate the maturity of an innovative hydrogen compression technology by installing it into an HRS in the “Touraine Vallée de l'Indre” region in France. With a budget of 3.7 M €, six consortium partners are working on improving this essential step of the hydrogen refuelling process.
Contact: Cordula Bär, cordula.baer@steinbeis-europa.de
European Institute For Energy Research, E-Mail: info@hygher.eu
https://cosmhyc.eu/- Project website COSMHYC
https://hygher.eu/ - Project website HYGHER
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