The overarching goal of the project was to foster international collaboration with leading research institutions and relevant stakeholders in order to accelerate the market introduction of mobile fuel cell technologies and to strengthen cooperative knowledge exchange in the research community. The project focused on four thematic priorities, the so-called Subtasks of Annex 34:

1. Advanced fuel cell systems for transport applications, including innovative hydrogen storage technologies;
2. Hydrogen infrastructure and production, with a focus on well-to-wheel analyses and both centralized and decentralized production pathways;
3. Technology validation for various vehicle categories, particularly light and heavy-duty commercial vehicles and buses;
4. Economic analyses of fuel cell systems and hydrogen supply chains across the entire value creation process.

The project results highlight the high potential of fuel cell systems for heavy-duty transport applications. Modular system architectures enable flexible adaptation to different performance requirements and allow for economies of scale, leading to significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements.

Simulations demonstrate that FCEV trucks can achieve range and performance comparable to conventional diesel trucks under appropriate infrastructure conditions. In addition, exergy analyses reveal technological optimization potential within the fuel cell drivetrain.

Economic assessments indicate that fuel cell systems become economically competitive at hydrogen prices of approximately €7/kg.

Case studies on hydrogen production show that both centralized and decentralized production pathways offer specific advantages: decentralized approaches improve system resilience and local value creation, while centralized large-scale plants benefit from higher efficiency through economies of scale. Factors such as site selection, energy sources, logistics, and storage technologies are crucial determinants of cost and efficiency.

The life cycle assessment (LCA), conducted for railway applications, illustrates the environmental benefits of green hydrogen under specific conditions.

For economic viability, a widespread hydrogen infrastructure is essential. The findings confirm that a European hydrogen refueling network is technically feasible, but its development requires clear political frameworks, coordinated responsibilities, and targeted investments.

A key element of the project was international networking. Through the organization and participation in workshops, conferences, and expert groups, Austrian research results were placed in a global context and gained international visibility. Systematic knowledge exchange with partner countries supported the development of methodological standards, fostered synergies in project work, and facilitated new collaborative research initiatives. Austria thus made a substantial contribution to the international research landscape in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

China, Denmark, Germany, France, Canada, Austria, Sweden, USA (Operating Agent)

HyCentA Research GmbH
Martin Aggarwal
Inffeldgasse 15
A-8010 Graz
E-Mail: aggarwal@hycenta.at