We want to contribute to reducing Europe’s fossil dependence, supporting the transition to climate neutrality, and strengthening its energy security and industrial competitiveness.
Our goal
We aim to establish Sweden’s first large-scale hydrogen valley, building and operating whole hydrogen supply chains at commercial scale and in real-life conditions at two hubs: The Swedish High Coast and West Coast.
Building a complete hydrogen ecosystem
In HiWHyV, we connect hydrogen production, distribution and use into one interlinked system: a hydrogen ecosystem.
This goes beyond pipelines and storage facilities. It includes adapting existing industries and enabling new ones. Most of the hydrogen produced in the project is intended for new applications, with only limited use in existing sectors such as fertiliser production. We will also strengthen industrial symbiosis to facilitate a more circular system where by-products from hydrogen production are reused in other industries and vice versa.
HiWHyV thus reduces waste, improves resource efficiency, helps break fossil dependency while enabling new fossil-free industries. This strengthens system reliability, while contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Hydrogen use across sectors
Agriculture
Around half of the world’s food production depends on fertilisers that supply nitrogen to crops. Making this nitrogen available in a form that plants can use requires ammonia, a gas made from nitrogen and hydrogen. Today, ammonia is mainly produced using hydrogen from natural gas, which makes fertiliser production dependent on fossil resources.
Transport
Hydrogen can power vehicles in two ways: directly as hydrogen fuel, or indirectly by converting it into synthetic fuels.
Indirect use: electro-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF) for aviation
eSAF is a sustainable aviation fuel that does not rely on refined petroleum. It is produced by combining green hydrogen with biogenic CO₂ captured from the air or from combustion, decomposition or processing of organic waste.
Several approved production pathways exist, but there are currently no commercial-scale eSAF production plants in the EU. High investment costs, integration challenges between electrolysis and CO₂ capture, and the need for reliable supplies of renewable electricity and biogenic CO₂ have limited large-scale deployment.
HiWHyV is establishing a first-of-its-kind industrial-scale eSAF production facility in Alby (moving from TRL6/7 to TRL8).
Indirect use: e-methanol for shipping
Electro-methanol is an alternative fuel for ships. Unlike conventional methanol, which is mainly produced from fossil-based sources, e-methanol is made from biogenic CO₂ released during combustion, decomposition or processing of organic waste, combined with renewable hydrogen. This process turns hydrogen into a stable liquid energy carrier that is easier to distribute and can be used in existing shipping infrastructure.
In HiWHyV, we are building Sweden’s largest commercial-scale e-methanol facilities in Örnsköldsvik and Umeå, combining proven technologies with modular solutions to enable faster and more cost-effective construction (moving from TRL6/7 to TRL8).
Direct use: hydrogen fuel cell trucks
Hydrogen fuel cell trucks are electric trucks that use hydrogen as fuel. Instead of charging a battery, they store hydrogen in a tank and fuel cells on board convert the hydrogen into electricity, powering the truck’s driveline while only releasing water vapour. Hydrogen is well suited for heavy and long-haul transport. A 700 bar hydrogen tank stores more energy at a lower weight than a battery, with an energy-to-weight ratio around ten times higher. This allows trucks to carry heavier cargo over longer distances.
Companies such as Volvo have developed and tested this technology in controlled scenarios, and refuelling stations are already available. However, testing trucks under real operating conditions and reducing the refuelling times is needed to make the technology competitive. We are addressing both aspects (moving from TRL6 to TRL8).
Mobile and backup energy supply
Hydrogen fuel cell powered units can act as mobile backup energy generators. They convert hydrogen into electricity via fuel cells and are a sustainable alternative to diesel generators as they can supply electricity to critical facilities such as data centres during outages, only emitting water and heat. They can also provide temporary and mobile zero-emission electricity at construction sites, public events and other off-grid locations, supporting the “bring your own power” energy strategy. Although the technology does exist and is used in other scenarios, it does not yet find application as backup for critical infrastructure and mobile power supply in urban environments. We are adapting the technology to comply with relevant market obligations, certifications and standards, and will also test the reliability of these new units (moving from TRL6 to TRL8).
Chemical industry
The chemical industry is one of the largest users of hydrogen today. It relies on hydrogen as a building block that enables the creation of materials such as nylon or polyurethane and speciality chemicals such as methanol needed to produce essential everyday goods. Today, the vast majority of the hydrogen used in Europe’s chemical industry is fossil based, mainly produced from natural gas. it with renewable hydrogen or e-methanol produced with it offers an opportunity to reduce emissions in one of the most energy-intensive sectors while maintaining the same products and processes.
Steel and iron industry
The steel and iron industry relies heavily on fossil fuels and is a large emitter of CO2. They need coal to remove oxygen from iron ore and produce metallic iron, a key raw material for steel. Hydrogen can enable the same process, replacing coal. The industry also depends on coal and natural gas to heat furnaces. While some processes can switch to renewable electricity through electric arc furnaces, others still require a gas for heat generation. In these cases, renewable hydrogen represents a fossil-free alternative, because burning hydrogen produces heat. The industry can adapt or repurpose its steel and iron plants, making it possible to introduce hydrogen while building on existing industrial systems.
From pilot to real-world application
1. Hydrogen fuel cell trucks
Advance hydrogen fuel cell trucks from laboratory testing to real-world, long-haul transport, ready for commercial use with fast refuelling.
Background
Electric trucks that get their electricity not from batteries but from fuel cells that convert hydrogen to electricity exist already, but still need to prove their performance in real-world use.
Execution plan
To demonstrate reliable performance, Volvo will operate two hydrogen trucks in its internal logistics from 2029 onwards. The trucks will transport goods over a distance slightly longer than 400 km and will refuel with hydrogen mainly produced on Sweden’s West Coast. The company Hydri will supply the hydrogen through its filling stations. They will also develop new stations to enable faster and more efficient refuelling, in line with SAE J2601-5, with a target of 12 minutes for 80 kg of hydrogen. The hydrogen trucks are expected to become commercially available around 2030, with larger-scale production starting once market and infrastructure conditions are in place.
Estimated impact
We expect each truck to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 90 kg per 100 km compared to diesel. With daily operation of around 900 km, this equals roughly 350 tonnes of CO₂ savings per year per truck, while also lowering emissions of nitrogen oxides and fine particles.
2. Mobile and backup off-grid power solution
Enabling a hydrogen fuel cell-based back-up and mobile off-grid power solution as zero-emission alternative for diesel generators.
Background
Hydrogen fuel cell power units are generators that produce electricity via fuel cells from hydrogen. The producer Powercell has developed such a unit and is adapting key components of it to meet the needs of urban environments, end-users and regulations.
Execution plan
From 2026, the company Powercell will develop a mobile 100 kW hydrogen fuel cell that can replace diesel generators in existing infrastructure and, when connected to a market-available hydrogen storage module, convert hydrogen into electricity to power critical infrastructure.
The unit will be installed and tested at Göteborg Energi’s data centres to demonstrate reliable back-up power supply for broadband services under simulated outages and other operational conditions.
The team will also assess how the unit can provide temporary and mobile zero-emission electricity at construction sites, public events, and other off-grid locations. Market readiness is planned for 2031.
Estimated impact
When replacing diesel generators, the hydrogen power unit can reduce CO₂ emissions by about 0.45 kg per kWh along with nitrogen oxides and fine particles. It can additionally support new business opportunities in backup power and mobile off-grid energy services.
From Sweden to other countries
By transferring the knowledge and experience gained in HiWHyV, we support the development of new hydrogen valleys in three regions across Europe.
Greece – Western Macedonia
Western Macedonia is applying the “just transition mechanism” to rebuild its economy around clean energy, ensuring that no one is left behind. The region, once a mining hub of lignite, also called brown coal, is phasing-out its lignite-fired power plants. Renewable hydrogen is seen as a key pillar for the transition and the future energy mix, since Western Macedonia benefits from strong industrial infrastructure, district heating networks and high potential for solar, wind, and bioenergy. All these factors could lead to locally produced renewable hydrogen at a competitive price, accelerating the transition. Even though hands-on experience with renewable hydrogen is still limited, several initiatives have been mobilised over the last years. In this context, HiWHyV experiences can support the technical implementation and operation of a renewable hydrogen ecosystem in Western Macedonia.
Spain – Basque Country
The Basque Country already has experience in hydrogen projects and is developing renewable hydrogen value chains. With 78% of its energy mix still based on fossil fuels, hydrogen is a priority for decarbonisation, and the region has high potential to produce renewable hydrogen competitively. Industrial players and local companies are preparing to move from grey hydrogen and other fossil fuels to renewable hydrogen solutions. The hydrogen value chains in the Basque Country can therefore benefit from HiWHyV’s learnings on strengthening governance structures, infrastructure development, and the resilience of energy systems.
Germany – Emsland
The Hydrogen Valley Emsland covers the entire value chain – from large-scale production and pipeline distribution to industrial use. Thanks to a long tradition in energy generation, the region boasts an excellent infrastructure, is fully self-sufficient in renewable energy, and additionally exports green energy to the South of Germany. Emsland is considered one of the most advanced hydrogen regions in Europe and was named “Hydrogen Valley of the Year” in 2024.
Emsland is home to a strong network of hydrogen stakeholders – the “H2-Region Emsland”. While the region’s focus has so far been on specialised industrial sectors, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to be increasingly integrated into the hydrogen sector and the network going forward. This creates a growing need for knowledge development and greater public engagement. Within the framework of HiWHyV, these challenges will be specifically addressed.
Guiding future hydrogen valleys
We provide practical tools, shared knowledge, and clear guidance that serve as a blueprint to help other regions plan and implement their own hydrogen valleys.
HTP tool 2.0: web-based assessment tool
This online simulation tool allows users to enter key elements of planned hydrogen valleys and foreseen end uses. Based on these infos, it simulates performance and gives preliminary techno-economic analysis and an operational forecast summary including feasibility and appropriate sizing of the planned hydrogen valley.
Replication white paper: lessons and best practices
The white paper gathers experiences and best practices from HiWHyV. It highlights infrastructure needs, regional strengths, cross-border opportunities, and skills gaps to support future hydrogen valleys. It will be published in 2029.
European standard procedure: design and deployment framework
Encapsulating best practices and proven approaches, the document will define structured steps to guide future hydrogen valleys across Europe, supporting their implementation based on successful strategies and with precision. The framework document will be available in late 2031.