France: Dijon inaugurates pioneering green hydrogen project

On the eve of the "Journées Hydrogène dans les Territoires", Dijon métropole inaugurated its first green hydrogen station, a €100 million project to decarbonize its bus and refuse collection fleet.
Dijon hydrogène vert décarbonation

Partagez:

Dijon métropole has taken an important step towards energy transition with the inauguration of its first green hydrogen production and distribution station. Launched in the presence of François Rebsamen, Mayor of Dijon, Marie-Guite Dufay, President of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region, Marion Deridder Blondel, President of ENGIE Hydrogen Solutions, and Dominique Darne, President of Inthy, the project marks a key step towards reducing CO2 emissions and promoting renewable energies. The station will reduce CO2 emissions by 1,200 tonnes a year, equivalent to 10 million kilometers driven in a city car. Starting in 2024, 4 refuse collection vehicles will be powered by green hydrogen, with a gradual expansion of the fleet. By 2035, all the city’s buses and 73% of its refuse collection vehicles will run on decarbonized energy.

Dijon Métropole Smart EnergHy: a strategic alliance

This project is based on collaboration between public and private players, brought together in the Dijon Métropole Smart EnergHy joint venture. ENGIE Solutions, Inthy, Dijon métropole and ADEME Investissement are contributing their expertise to ensure the success of this innovative project.
Dijon Métropole Smart EnergHy is responsible for investments in the hydrogen infrastructure, and is remunerated by supplying green hydrogen to vehicles. Dijon métropole is investing in the vehicles and facilities needed to support this energy transition. The project is based on a circular economy model, with local production of green hydrogen fueled by green electricity generated by the combustion of waste from the Energy Recovery Unit (UVE). The station has 3 pumps for heavy vehicles and one for light vehicles, with a production capacity of 430 kg of hydrogen per day.

An ambitious territorial vision

Dijon is committed to becoming a climate-neutral metropolis by 2050, with ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Dijon’s territorial energy policy is based on energy savings and an energy mix that favors locally-produced renewable energies. For the past 20 years, the metropolis has been implementing innovative ecological and energy transition initiatives, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23% between 2010 and 2020. With this project, Dijon continues to lead the way in sustainable development and energy transition.
The project, financed to the tune of 100 million euros, benefits from subsidies totalling over 24 million euros from ADEME, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, the European Union and the Banque des Territoires. The North station, with a daily capacity of 430 kg of hydrogen, and the future South station, scheduled for 2026, will meet the city’s growing need for green hydrogen.

The European Commission grants €3.5mn to support preparatory work for a Franco-German cross-border network aimed at transporting hydrogen between the Grand Est region and Baden-Württemberg starting in 2029.
French company McPhy Energy awaits a court decision regarding offers submitted during its judicial reorganization, paving the way for probable liquidation and potential delisting of its shares.
The majority-Indigenous-owned Canadian manufacturer HyVera Distributed Energy is introducing an eCat pellet that instantly produces ultra-pure green hydrogen without external electricity and is counting on two pilot plants to simplify industrial supply.
Underground hydrogen storage, essential to support its growth, continues to face significantly higher costs than natural gas storage, along with major technical challenges hindering its competitiveness against conventional energies.
Singapore-based hydrogen specialist Hydrexia seals a protocol with Indonesian gas giant Samator to deploy purification, transport and storage of hydrogen, betting on rapidly growing local demand and export outlets to the Asia-Pacific region.
Cadiz Inc. signs a memorandum of understanding with British company Hoku Energy for a large-scale energy project including green hydrogen, solar power, and digital infrastructure in the Californian desert, projecting annual revenues of up to $10mn.
BP indefinitely halts its blue hydrogen project at the Whiting refinery in Indiana, raising questions about the future of federal funding and the impact on regional plans for a decarbonized hydrogen sector in the United States.
The Polish energy group ORLEN receives a non-repayable grant of €382 million from the National Recovery Plan to finance its renewable and low-emission hydrogen production initiatives.
Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power announce successful completion of an unprecedented test incorporating 50% hydrogen into an advanced gas turbine, reducing CO2 emissions by 22% compared to natural gas alone.
Neoenergia has begun construction of one of Brazil's first green hydrogen plants, aimed at supplying heavy and light vehicles, with an investment exceeding 30 million Brazilian reais ($5.99mn).
The SA-H2 fund, supported by international partnerships and local institutional backing, mobilises 37 million USD to develop export-oriented green hydrogen from South Africa, with an initial concrete project announced.
Turbotech reports successful combustion testing of a hydrogen turboprop, developed through digital simulation with Ansys, marking an industrial milestone in light aircraft using alternative fuel.
France Hydrogène responds to the Cour des Comptes report published on June 5, criticising an incomplete reading of updated targets and the economic impacts of decarbonised hydrogen development.
The Belfort Commercial Court has opened a judicial reorganisation procedure for McPhy, while a renewed call for tenders for its asset sale is now set to close on 13 June.
Plug Power CFO Paul Middleton acquired 650,000 shares on the market, affirming his support for the long-term strategy of the hydrogen-focused company.
The Canadian government is funding an initiative to support 40 SMEs in British Columbia’s hydrogen sector, aiming to increase foreign investment and expand international market share.
Developer CWP Global has paused its $40 billion AMAN project in Mauritania due to a lack of buyers for green ammonia despite favourable local conditions.
A study reveals that the profitability of African green hydrogen exports to the European Union depends on political support from Europe, despite the abundance of ongoing projects on the continent.
Plug Power expands its partnership with Allied Green through a new 2 GW electrolyzer deal tied to a $5.5bn chemical plant in Uzbekistan.
Stargate Hydrogen launches 140 MW factory in Estonia with modular expansion model amid cautious hydrogen investment climate.