On January 21—22, 2025, HYIELD project partners met in Bilbao, Spain, at H2SITE’s headquarters for the 3rd General Assembly. This gathering covered project updates and next plans, but what really stood out was the depth of discussions among partners. Their involvement spanned multiple fields, reflecting the complex intersections within HYIELD’s work. Another key moment was the visit to H2SITE’s facilities, which gave everyone a closer look at the work being done. Keep reading for the full story.
Day one and key questions
The HYIELD project addresses crucial environmental challenges by targeting the dual issues of waste management and sectoral decarbonization. It uses a novel multi-stage steam gasification technology, a process developed by Waste to Energy Advanced Solutions where waste is heated without oxygen in multiple stages. The initiative aims to demonstrate the conversion of European waste into clean hydrogen on a pilot scale. With a planned production capacity of 650 tons of hydrogen during the testing phase, the project provides a valuable model for scalable hydrogen production that will be instrumental in supporting the EU’s broader 2030 hydrogen production targets.
Assembly Highlights
The first day was dedicated to a thorough review of progress across work packages and making sure everyone was aligned. Being in the room together made a big difference as conversations flowed naturally, and partners could quickly adjust plans based on real-time unput. They explored different scenarios, thinking how each decision would shape the next phases of the project. With so many areas of expertise in the room, strong coordination was essential to keeping everything moving forward.
Several technical discussions shaped the day:
Energy Balance and Simulation Methods
Partners discussed which simulation method should be used for energy balance calculations in a pyrolysis system, as they are currently working on two methods. Key issues included the impact of partial oxidation on methane production and the need for consistent temperature conditions. Ultimately, a single model will be delivered once sufficient data is available to avoid duplicate work.
Pilot Plant Challenges
Another theme about features and challenges of the pilot plant revolved around the feeding system and possible heater failures. The plan is to test different parameters and materials to improve production and maintain temperature effectively. One proposed strategy is to lower the temperature, which helps treat low-quality material and reduce oxygen consumption.
Feedstock Market Study
A final, very important discussion during the meeting focused on the feedstock market study. The study identified and selected various organic waste feedstocks for clean hydrogen production, considering factors like diversity, volume, economic and environmental impact, and logistical feasibility. The primary feedstock will be woody biomass from municipal waste, but over 10 different types of waste need to be assessed. There are challenges with densifying the structurant and pre-treating feedstocks to meet the project’s needs. Ongoing efforts and proper coordination will ensure these challenges are resolved to meet the project’s requirements.
Touring H2SITE on the second day
The second day took the group to H2SITE’s facilities near Bilbao. As a HYIELD consortium partner, H2SITE focuses on membrane technology to extract pure hydrogen from gases.
Attendees walked through the production process step by step, seeing how membranes are made and assembled. A presentation then outlined how H2SITE’s solutions fit into broader hydrogen projects. Seeing the technology up close gave partners a clearer picture of the processes involved in the project. And beyond HYIELD, it was a great chance to understand what other innovators are building in clean and sustainable energy.
What’s next?
HYIELD is moving to refining technical details and keeping partners in sync. With each meeting, the project gets closer to proving how residues can become a cornerstone of our lives, in this case, as a clean fuel that keeps us moving forward sustainably.
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For further information, please contact:
Laia Mencia
+34 930 181 691
laia@inveniam-group.com
