The Energy Cluster of the Valencia Region (CECV) is a partner in the European H2Excellence project. The primary objective of this initiative is to establish Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across six EU countries: Italy, Spain, Finland, Portugal, Poland, and France, with additional support from two associated CoVEs in France and Poland. This approach addresses the growing demand for training and professional qualifications driven by the energy crisis and the REPowerEU Plan.
The management and coordination of the project are progressing steadily, successfully achieving the key milestones outlined below.
On December 10, 2024, the Energy Cluster of the Valencia Region (CECV) organized the webinar “Green Hydrogen in Industry and Transport: Innovation and Applications”, an event that brought together vocational training providers, academic representatives, R&D institutions, industry leaders, policymakers, and experts in the green hydrogen sector.
The webinar was a resounding success and featured the participation of prominent local stakeholders, including the National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2), the Valenciaport Foundation, and the Energy Cluster of the Valencia Region itself. These participants addressed key topics related to innovation and the applications of green hydrogen in industry and transport.
Participants from various fields related to the green hydrogen sector attended this event. Following its conclusion, and with the aim of continuously improving and ensuring the highest quality in the project’s activities, evaluation surveys were conducted. These surveys are essential for demonstrating a commitment to quality and evaluation control throughout the H2Excellence project. Additionally, the feedback collected will serve as key evidence for the development of impact reports, showcasing the success and relevance of this initiative.
Additionally, the project activities also focus on designing a roadmap that compiles relevant information on the national and regional strategies of each participating country in the field of hydrogen, their legislation, and the current status of hydrogen projects and related technologies. Furthermore, a skills gap analysis is being conducted to identify new and emerging profiles needed to address the sector’s growth and reconcile the demand and supply of skills in the coming years.
In the area of training and learning, the project is making progress in developing a virtual training platform (e-learning). This tool will enable the implementation of a transnational training program specifically designed to address the needs of emerging professional profiles and adapt to the demands of the Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs).
Furthermore, in relation to cooperation and networking activities, efforts are underway to establish an Industrial Advisory Board and a Dialogue Forum involving key stakeholders from the Triple Helix model (education, industry, and research) in each participating country. The objective of these initiatives is to foster dialogue and the exchange of ideas on green hydrogen technology and its value chain, facilitating improved collaboration among all involved parties.
Progress is also being made in the development of an international collaborative platform that will serve as a reference hub for technical collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the dissemination of best practices among the various Centers of Excellence specializing in hydrogen.
The project aims to create educational opportunities and develop innovative curricula to train professionals specializing in green hydrogen technologies. This initiative seeks to drive the transformation of the energy sector and contribute to the creation of high-quality jobs within the industry.
Source: Málaga TechPark Nº118 (June – August 2024). El proyecto H2Excellence avanza con éxito.