Hydrogen innovation ecosystem: how H₂Shift accelerates progress

One such example of a high-impact innovation ecosystem is the H₂Shift project, and particularly its Single Entry Point (SEP) Consortium, which has become a key strategic resource for accelerating hydrogen technologies across Europe.

The power of ecosystems in driving innovation

The idea of creating interconnected innovation ecosystems that encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange is at the heart of today’s most successful initiatives. These ecosystems bring together diverse players and give them access to shared knowledge, technology, and expertise. In this collaborative environment, the collective impact is greater than the sum of its parts.

H₂Shift perfectly embodies this vision. It stands as an example of how public-private partnerships, combined with research excellence, can create a framework for driving the scale-up and validation of hydrogen technologies. Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program (Grant Agreement n. 101137953), H₂Shift is an open innovation test bed (OITB) that connects a Europe-wide network of test infrastructures and support services to guide hydrogen technology development.

The consortium is composed of 13 founding partners —including academic institutions, research centers, and companies— and aims at positioning Europe as a technological leader in clean hydrogen innovation.

H₂Shift’s role in Europe’s hydrogen future

One of the standout features of H₂Shift is its ability to bring cutting-edge hydrogen technologies to life by providing a network of test infrastructures and support services that drive business and technology scale-up. The project’s nine test lines focus on a wide range of hydrogen innovations, including:

• Advanced water electrolysis

• Hydrogen production from bio-based gases

• Direct production from solar energy

• Offshore hydrogen production

Each test line offers companies tailored support to refine innovations and validate solutions in a controlled, real-world setting through services such as lab-scale and pilot testing, modelling, validation, and acceleration.

Single Entry Point (SEP) – Streamlining access for innovators

At the core of the H₂Shift project lies the SEP: a centralized gateway that simplifies access to the test lines.

The SEP evaluates incoming requests and matches each project with the most suitable technical partner and infrastructure, ensuring a tailored pathway for technology and business scale-up.

The SEP’s streamlined model reduces complexity for both public and private stakeholders, helping them navigate the challenges of hydrogen technology development and positioning Europe as a global leader in this sector. Moreover, it enhances accessibility of high-level testing services, particularly for startups and SMEs that often lack internal infrastructure.

H₂Shift is an active catalyst for transformation: the upcoming open calls through the SEP, starting at the end of 2025, will offer selected innovators free access to H₂Shift’s services, further democratizing the hydrogen innovation process.

Test lines supporting real-world hydrogen solutions

By providing specialized test lines and support, H₂Shift enables innovators to validate hydrogen technologies under realistic conditions, accelerating their scale-up and commercial deployment. This approach demonstrates how ecosystems can empower innovation, foster collaboration, and translate research into societal impact.

As Europe moves forward in its pursuit of climate neutrality, initiatives like H₂Shift will be essential. With the SEP at its core and thanks to a committed and coordinated effort across sectors, the project shows that innovation thrives where openness, structure, and shared objectives meet, creating an environment where breakthroughs can have real impact.

For updates and deep dives: www.h2shift.eu or piera.dellaporta@cdi.eu