“Faced with the climate emergency, our metropolis has taken the challenge of developing a complete green hydrogen sector on its territory. We are inventing a territorial system at the service of green growth, which strengthens the energy independence of the territory. » explained François Rebsamen during the opening plenary sequence of the Hydrogen Days, at the Dijon Exhibition and Congress Center
The energy transition is at the heart of the priorities of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region, which today stands out as a stronghold of green hydrogen in Europe. Building on its industrial DNA and the mobilization of its stakeholders for twenty years, our region stands out for its ambitious commitment to the hydrogen sector, making this technology an essential lever for decarbonization and local economic development.
An ambitious national strategy
Hydrogen has been identified as a strategic industry in France, with a National Strategy since 2020 and financed to the tune of 9 billion euros. This strategy aims to strengthen the technological, industrial and energy sovereignty of the country. Thanks to this support, the industrial sector has become structured, with manufacturing capacities now well established. Factories manufacturing electrolysers, fuel cells, tanks and vehicles have been created, thus revitalizing the local industry.
Important projects like the IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) Hy2Tech, supported to the tune of 2.1 billion euros in France, have led to the industrialization of key technologies. Electrolysis champions such as McPhy in Belfort and fuel cell manufacturers such as Symbio in St Fons and HDF Energy in Blanquefort have opened their factories, marking significant progress for the sector.
Exemplary regional development
Given the urgency of the energy transition, the Burgundy-Franche-Comté Region is making the development of the green hydrogen sector a priority. Close to Germany and Switzerland, the region, labeled Hydrogen Territory from 2016, is strategic for hydrogen in Europe. Through a Hydrogen roadmap built with all stakeholders in the ecosystem, the Region has committed 100 million euros to support the development of this technology across all territories.
The region is consolidating a sector present across the entire value chain, in terms of research and development, training, development and business establishment. FORVIA’s global R&D center for hydrogen tanks in Bavans and R&D projects for fuel cell solutions and H2 internal combustion engines illustrate this commitment. Manufacturers such as McPhy and Gen-Hy have set up their electrolyzer gigafactories, while INOCEL focuses on high-power batteries.
Ambitious projects and a shared vision
With more than 75 million euros committed, including 14 million for business research and innovation projects, the Region supports the structuring of an H2 sector across the entire value chain. The creation of a tank testing center in Belfort (ISTHY), in partnership with the State, and support for innovation projects for technological solutions to improve fuel cells or hydrogen storage, are evidence of this dynamic.
The Region has also mobilized 4.5 million euros to support the deployment of territorial hydrogen ecosystems in Dijon, Auxerre, Belfort, and Schiever. It was the first in France to order three hydrogen trains, for an amount of 51.9 million euros, thus demonstrating its pioneering commitment.
Marie-Guite Dufay, President of the Region, underlines: “Present across the entire value chain of the sector, Burgundy-Franche-Comté is today a stronghold of hydrogen in Europe. Hydrogen is more than ever a lever for innovation in favor of protecting our environment, consolidating our industrial sector, and creating jobs for tomorrow. »
Clean mobility and energy autonomy for Dijon Métropole
From 2024, Dijon Métropole will put into service its first four household waste bins running on green hydrogen. The community thus controls the entire value chain, from the production of green hydrogen to its direct consumption by its fleet of heavy vehicles. This project also encourages economic players in the region to move towards carbon-free freight transport fleets.
The project represents an investment of 100 million euros, of which 30% for the construction of the two stations and 70% for the renewal of the fleet of hydrogen-powered trucks and buses. The European Union supports this initiative, which makes a concrete contribution to the implementation of the European Green Deal.
François Rebsamen, mayor of Dijon and president of Dijon Métropole, says: “Faced with the climate emergency, our metropolis has taken the challenge of developing a complete green hydrogen sector on its territory. Resolutely moving towards low-carbon mobility based on a mix combining hydrogen and electricity, we are inventing a territorial system serving green growth, unprecedented in France, which strengthens the energy independence of the territory. »
Thanks to its already very carbon-free energy mix, cutting-edge research and industrial champions, Burgundy-Franche-Comté has all the assets to become a leader in carbon-free hydrogen on the international scene, thus confirming its strategic position in the European energy transition.
Manon Bollery
