The ongoing decarbonisation of the energy and transport systems is a current challenge in Europe. As the rising prices of fossil natural gas make evident, the need to increase renewable gas capacity is undeniable and goes hand in hand with solving bottlenecks that current biomethane production technologies cannot effectively address. The HYFUELUP project aims to demonstrate a flexible and hybrid pathway for the efficient and cost-effective production of biomethane through thermochemical technologies combined with renewable hydrogen. A complete deployment value chain, including biomethane offtake and distribution, will also be demonstrated to contribute to the market penetration of biomethane in key sectors. Thanks to the broad composition of the consortium, the project will blend market knowledge with advanced academic and industrial perspectives to demonstrate the production of biomethane at scale. First, the flexible conversion of low-grade feedstocks via sorption-enhanced gasification will be validated, coupled with syngas or flue gas clean-up, in a demonstrator at TRL6. Then, a second demonstrator will also validate fluidised-bed methanation of either syngas or flue gas with the dynamic addition of hydrogen at TRL6, before both technologies are integrated into a third demonstrator to produce biomethane at scale and reach TRL7. Together, such developments work toward reaching the impacts of the work programme and lead to relevant changes in action and practice via two well-defined impact pathways (“technological development and adoption”, and “enhancing capacity”) that will ultimately help strengthen the European scientific leadership for the development of a highly competitive renewable gas industry, widen the technology portfolio of biomethane production technologies, and improve citizen well-being via reduced climate and social risks.

Optimising agricultural and forest residues and waste management to increase renewable energy incorporation and reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural and forestry systems is currently essential and goes hand in hand with improving the resilience and sustainability of remote regions. The PYRAGRAF project will develop a mobile and integrated unit to demonstrate the pyrolytic conversion of forestry and agriculture crops residues and wastes into added-value products. The concept for this mobile demonstration system at TRL 7 is composed of 3 main modules: 1) a solar-assisted gasifier burner, 2) a biomass dryer, and 3) an integrated pyrolysis reactor thus producing sustainable products using renewable sources (solar energy and biomass). This multi-product approach includes two main product categories - biochar and wood vinegar ecosystems services; and energy applications of upgraded pyrogas and bio-oil – that can be integrated with different agriculture applications, thus enabling to reduce GHG emissions and the use of fossil resources and in agricultural practices; improve the development of rural areas, among other benefits. Field demonstrations with the involvement of local stakeholders inside and outside of the project will be conducted in 3 countries (PT, DE and TR) to demonstrate the operation of the mobile pyrolysis unit and evaluate the fertilisation and biopesticide potential of biochars and wood vinegar in different soils/crops and climate conditions. The pyrogas and bio-oil will also be evaluated as energy carriers for dual-fuel engine sand fuel cells as biofuel to be used in local agriculture or forestry practices. Because of its potential impact, the project will work towards reaching the outcomes of the work programme and lead to relevant changes in practice via three well-defined impact pathways that will ultimately contribute to producing low-carbon products that fit the ambitious requirements of the policies and strategies defined by the EU.

H2tALENT launches a flagship Hydrogen Valley in Alentejo-PT to consolidate the strong investment in place and boost the penetration of green hydrogen by deploying new initiatives across the entire value chain from local production to use including distribution for a range of applications in industry, mobility and buildings while also connecting with existing/planned infrastructures and initiatives. In the next 5 years are foreseen 2.1GW electrolysers, 180ktons/y of green H2, 2B€ investments and 5000 jobs in Alentejo. Safe design and operation is ensured to deliver certified green hydrogen. H2tALENT produces >1200 ton/y used by several off-takers in industry, mobility (public bus & truck) and building (municipal pool). The strategic position of the Sines Port is valorised as a key multi-modal hub for interconnection and import/export as well the industrial ecosystem surrounding it. Optimal energy system integration is ensured via technology assessment and impact modelling to contribute to the national energy transition strategy. H2tALENT generates investments around 20M€. Digital Twinning and tools for optimal planning and operation are delivered to support upscaling and replication, while professional upskilling and public perception equip the workforce with the needed competences and deliver social benefits. H2tALENT builds a global network where lessons learned from existing valleys are gathered, cooperation with Brazil fostered and replication promoted in 2 follower valleys in DE Saxony and UK Midlands. Roadmaps and concrete actions for upscaling and replication are defined for the Sines Port, Alentejo and Portugal. The consortium includes 29 partners from 6 countries covering the entire value chain including energy suppliers, DSO, technology manufacturer, system integrator, end users and RTO/university experts in digitalisation, public acceptance, environmental assessments and technology assessment with strong political support.

RESIST will strengthen the resilience and accelerate the transformation and increase adaptive capacity of 12 climate-vulnerable EU regions, implementing 4 large-scale demonstrators of resilient innovations for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) with quintuple-helix partnerships (including 1 in a less developed region) and promote transfer of know-how and innovative solutions to 8 twin regions (of which 4 less developed regions) through both physical mutual-learning activities and innovative immersive digital twins. The consortium will engage EU associations, CCA research groups, scientific experts, social engagement and communication institutions, innovation agencies and 1 Venture Capital Fund to co-create and validate innovative solutions, raise awareness, leverage citizens participation and promote sustainable exploitation of results towards the markets. RESIST will contribute to the EU agenda on CCA, through intervention in 3 main areas: Promote and demonstrate an innovative, more participative approach to resilience and CC adaptation in 4 demonstrator and 8 twinning regions (including 5 less developed regions in total) demonstrating >12 new solution lines, accelerating regional resilience and helping reach the adaptation-mission objectives of ‘building resilience and upscaling solutions through 100 demonstrators and accelerating the transition in 200 pilot regions and communities by 2030’ reaching already 4% and 6% of these aims by 2027, with 4 demonstrators and involvement of 12 regions Co-design and contribute to the development of new regional measures, policy instruments and social and technological solutions in 12 regions involving 22m citizens, increasing awareness/resilience by 10% and levels of green investments by 20%, reducing economic losses due to natural hazards such as floods by 14% and climate protection gap by 50%; Reduce time-to-market/risk for >100 new CCA Solutions from providers across Europe, offering them scale-up for their products.