University of Jyväskylä and VTT to establish a hydrogen production and storage test facility in Central Finland

University of Jyväskylä and VTT to establish a hydrogen production and storage test facility in Central Finland

The focus of the HyPER project will be on digital operation and promotion of electrolytic hydrogen production using hydrogen anion exchange membrane electrolysis technology. The University of Jyväskylä's sub-project will develop materials suitable for hydrogen storage, contributing to the goal of moving towards safe and cost-effective hydrogen storage. Solid materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOF), biobased carbon and zeolitic materials will be investigated and developed. HyPER will also explore potential hydrogen business cases in the region.

Why hydrogen in Central Finland?

Hydrogen is seen as a missing piece of the clean energy transition and is likely to disrupt energy value chains in the following years. It has the potential to decarbonize many aspects of human activities, including industrial production, energy generation, transportation, and food production.

Central Finland is one of the regions with high availability of biogenic CO₂ but lacks an existing strategy for a hydrogen economy. The region could reap the vast potential of the H₂ economy and its value chain.

Hydrogen economy is compatible with the 2030 carbon neutrality target of Central Finland and could contribute to addressing the dwindling peat industry. A regional hydrogen infra and workforce could support the reduction of oil and peat for use in energy production and transport, the advancement of the use of wind and solar power production, an increase in carbon dioxide capture and utilization, and the reduction of the socio-economic impact due to the decline of peat use.

Why HyPER?

HyPER project may foster for positioning the region in the future as a hub of innovation in terms of clean energy technologies. This can attract research institutions, startups, and collaborations, fostering technological advancement. With the demonstration campaigns, HyPER promotes public awareness about hydrogen as a clean energy source, educates the local population about its benefits, and supports hydrogen-related initiatives and policies.

The HyPER project is implemented as a cooperation project between VTT and the University of Jyväskylä, with participation from several companies, including Fimpec, Myrsky Energia Oy, Kytola Instruments Oy, Schwer Fittings Oy, Business Jyväskylä, Vireon, Hitachi Energy, and Andritz.

The HyPER project is an exciting development for Central Finland and has the potential to bring significant economic and environmental benefits to the region.

The 2-year HyPER -project (2024-2025) is coordinated by the VTT and its budget is almost 1 million euros. The University of Jyväskylä's portion of the total budget is 458 000 €.

More information:

• VTT, Janne Kärki, Research Team Leader, [email protected], +358407510053
• VTT, Cyril Bajamundi, Senior Scientist, [email protected] , +358405122673
• HyPER -project: https://www.hyperproject.fi/