Project R-12705

UHasselt Green Hydrogen Lab (Research)

In line with the objectives of the Green Deal and the Hydrogen Strategy for a Climate Neutral Europe, Flanders has the ambition to 'turn Flanders into a top hydrogen region', as stated in the Flemish Government's Relaunch Plan 'Vlaamse Veerkracht' (2019-2024) as well as in the National Energy & Climate Plan. Following its mission to tackle the global challenge for sustainable development through materials research, the Institute for Materials Research (IMO) of the UHasselt has started a new research direction into green hydrogen, addressing one of the biggest concerns of our society: how can we combine a continuously growing demand for energy with a significant reduction of our ecological footprint without depleting our raw materials to mute. With the UHasselt Green Hydrogen Lab, UHasselt will combine all its current research efforts in the field of materials for the production, storage, and use of green hydrogen. Thus, the transition from laboratory-scale demonstration to real-life applications is initiated. Essential infrastructure investment is required for this, which will contribute to the leverage effect of the hydrogen R&D activities at Hasselt University, enabling us to bring material research to higher TRL levels and to find a complementary connection with existing initiatives of partner institutions in, among others, Energyville. We mainly install equipment to synthesize controlled materials, to investigate their properties, and to demonstrate their performance in a realistic environment. The Green Hydrogen Lab is therefore a perfect platform for our business developers in their role to reach partners in research, industry, government, and society (quadruple helix) and thus contribute to the desired multiplier effect of this initiative. In addition, the infrastructure will be used in the training of future experts in the new master's program 'Materiomics' at Hasselt University.

01 December 2021 - 31 October 2024