the essential
The Agglo will rehabilitate the buildings to the south of the site to initially create training rooms and a workshop. Later, the construction of a second building will make it possible to offer workshops and offices to companies wishing to set up there.
After seeing the pages of motorsport history written in the ’60s and ’70s, seeing the emergence of MEPs (single-seaters built in Albi), the circuit will be at the center of future mobility. With one specificity: heavy mobility using hydrogen. Even if the site will host all projects around carbon-free mobility in general, such as electricity.
In planning for several years, Albility Lab will finally get into action. Work will begin at the circuit where nearly €5.8 million euros will be invested, including €2.2 million from the city, to create the European center for new mobility.
DDM – DDM- MARIE PIERRE VOLLE
After setting up educational equipment (hydrogen station), the Agglo is continuing its development of the site. Initially, the work will consist of renovating the old buildings to the south of the circuit. Instead, there will be training rooms and a workshop that will house hydrogen equipment. “The objective is to meet the needs of several stakeholders by creating a single site adapted to hosting activities on pressurized hydrogen teams that require specific installations and expertise due to the nature of this gas,” the Agglo says. And adds: “This approach will avoid the multiplication of installations that require significant financial, energy and material resources.”
The goal is to create a hub revolving around three axes. Track tests dedicated to decarbonized road mobility. This is Albi’s advantage compared to other regional sites. Being able to have a tool in perfect working order to carry out tests. Essential for all players in the sector.
Second aspect highlighted: initial and continuing training. The Campus H2 Albi association carries this part. It is a component of the Genhyo project, a consortium led by the University of Toulouse. The Genhyo project aims to “promote the emergence of talents and accelerate the adaptation of training (from CAP to Doctorate) to the skills needs of the decarbonized hydrogen sector”.
Finally, a technical side with research and development services with innovative start-ups like the Albigensian H2team or those which will join in the future.
In a second phase, another building will offer workshops with offices to companies in the decarbonized mobility sector. The Agglo plans to create production lines there. Three in total for small units. It has already started to approach local start-ups.
In total, investments are estimated between €10 and €15 million for the entire project.
