Europe's pioneering project eGHOST will develop reference guidelines for the eco-designof hydrogen technologies.
o The international consortium, led by the Madrid-based research institute IMDEA
Energy, will define eco-design principles and improve the understanding ofhydrogen systems as a sustainable investment.
o eGHOST guides a sustainable design that minimises the economic, environmental
and social impacts of hydrogen systems throughout their life cycle
The European Commission considers green hydrogen essential to reach its commitment
to carbon neutrality and circular economy by 2050. To achieve this, Europe aims toaccelerate the use of hydrogen-based technologies as a sustainable solution that
contributes to decarbonising all economic sectors. However, the deployment of hydrogenin Europe still faces important challenges. Although green hydrogen is an energy vector
produced from renewable energy sources, it is essential to ensure its sustainability byestablishing eco-design guidelines that minimise its economic, social and environmental
impact along its life cycle. That is, from the design itself to the production, use and endof-life of hydrogen technologies. Eco-design is thus a key requirement for the circulareconomy.
In this context, the pioneering project eGHOST will define eco-design guidelines andcriteria for two reference products: solid oxide electrolysers for hydrogen production, andproton-exchange membrane fuel cells for hydrogen use. These products are attracting
increasing interest due to their versatility and multiple applications, such as hydrogen cars.
The eGHOST project – whose kick-off meeting was held on 21 January 2021 – will
improve the understanding of hydrogen systems as a sustainable investment according tothe EU taxonomy by incorporating a triple-impact decision-making approach thatincludes environmental, social and economic life-cycle aspects. The lessons learned will
be integrated into the eGHOST White Book, a guidance and reference document for any
future hydrogen technology eco-design project.
The three-year eGHOST project is composed of a multidisciplinary consortium ofinternational partners with recognised expertise in the fields of energy, hydrogentechnologies and advanced analysis of energy systems. IMDEA Energy (Spain)
coordinates the consortium, which also includes CEA (France), the University ofLjubljana (Slovenia), the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation (Spain), SYMBIO (France), andthe Institute of Applied Energy (Japan).
eGHOST has received almost €1 million of funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2
Joint Undertaking, the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research. The Fuel Cells andHydrogen Joint Undertaking is a European public-private initiative promoting research,technology development and demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies inEurope since 2008.
About IMDEA Energy (Project’s Coordinator)
IMDEA Energy is a research institute of excellence, located in the Community of Madrid.
Its ultimate goal is to produce outstanding scientific and technological contributions fora sustainable energy system, with a focus on issues that concern renewable energy andclean energy technologies.

Accordingly, IMDEA Energy aims to strengthen the R&D activities on energy topics bybringing together top-level researchers, providing them with excellent infrastructures andresources, and promoting their close collaboration with the industrial sector.
Link for further information: https://www.energy.imdea.org/

About the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking - FCH JU
The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) is a public-private initiative
promoting research, technology development and demonstration of hydrogen and fuelcell technologies in Europe since 2008. It aims to accelerate the market introduction ofthese technologies, given their enormous potential to help achieve a carbon-free energysystem.
The FCH JU is the result of a long-standing cooperation between the European
Commission, Hydrogen Europe, representing companies and industries in the sector, andHydrogen Europe Research, representing the scientific community.

More information on the project partners:•IMDEA Energy (Spain): www.energy.imdea.org/•

CEA (France): https://www.cea.fr/•

University of Ljubljana (Slovenia): https://www.uni-lj.si/university/•

FHa (Spain): https://hidrogenoaragon.org/en/•

SYMBIO (France): https://www.symbio.com/•

IAE (Japan): https://www.iae.or.jp/e/Contact:
Dr. Javier Dufour, Project Coordinator eGHOST at IMDEA Energy:
javier.dufour@imdea.org

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eghost-project/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eGHOSTProject

Acknowledgement:
The eGHOST (Eco-design Guidelines for HydrOgen Systems and Technologies) project
has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking undercontract No. 101007166. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the EuropeanUnion's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme, Hydrogen Europe andHydrogen Europe Research.
Sustainable Development Goals Addressed by eGHOST: