A fundraiser for the company H2 Bois. In mid-December, the Corbat Group and Planair Vision announced that Romande Energie was entering the capital of this young company, as a minority shareholder, since January 1. By next year, it should produce low-carbon hydrogen from wood waste in Glovelier. If the Corbat group, specialized in the processing of local wood, sought an energy specialist, it was to broaden “the field of expertise” within H2 Bois. Benjamin Corbat, co-director of the Corbat Group, explains that Romande Energie will also ensure the security of hydrogen supply in the event of a production cut at Glovelier: “it is a back-up system that we need”. The young entrepreneur specifies that H2 Bois could be required to deliver hydrogen outside its distribution area. And so Romande Energie can provide its knowledge on the delivery of this type of product.
Driving before the horse
Several companies in the microregional activity zone are very interested in this project. And so a pipeline is planned between H2 Bois and the ZAM in Glovelier. In November, during the development of ZAM 2, the Corbat Group therefore decided to lay a first 400 meter pipe to take advantage of the excavations in progress. A way of putting the cart before the horse? “These are entrepreneurial decisions that are not easy to make. We also recently validated the installation of the last two sections for a total of 1.2 km. »
Some uncertainties before the green light
Construction of the production site east of the sawmill is expected to begin this year for commissioning next year. “In 2025, we hope to be able to give the final green light to launch construction,” says Benjamin Corbat. There is still a lack of a legal framework from the Confederation to support the production of hydrogen from wood. The latest decisions of the Federal Council go in this direction, according to Ajoulot. The technology to produce this energy, “which is currently proving itself in France”, still needs to be validated. /ncp
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