Co-design of Business Models
Design tailored business models for each pilot for long-term sustainability.
CyLH2Valley Project
Building Castilla y León’s Hydrogen Valley and Innovation Business Models
Castilla Y Leon Hydrogen Valley project
Unlocking the Castilla y León region's potential to establish a clean Hydrogen Valley and Economy (CYLH2Valley).
CyLH2Valley is an innovation project, funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program, and it contributes to the development of a large-scale Hydrogen Valley initiative in Castilla y León, Spain. Coordinated by the CARTIF Technology Centre, the project brings together 35 partners that span the entire supply chain. Leading industrial players, research institutes, universities, public authorities, and innovation partners collaborate to accelerate the production, distribution, and use of renewable hydrogen across the entire value chain.
The project aims to develop and demonstrate mobility, industry, and energy applications. It will operate for at least two years, with full integration targeted for 2028–2029, showcasing both financial viability and the systemic integration of nine pilot projects. By proving hydrogen’s versatility as an energy vector for sector coupling, the initiative lays the foundation for scaling up and establishing a clean hydrogen economy in the region by 2035, in line with the EU Hydrogen Strategy, the REPowerEU plan, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Pioneering Spain’s First Hydrogen Valley
CyLH2Valley to support decarbonization in the Castilla y León region, Spain
Unlocking the region’s potential towards a sustainable, large-scale hydrogen economy.
The project’s main objective is to establish a fully integrated hydrogen ecosystem in Castilla y León: from renewable hydrogen production and distribution, as well as industrial, public services, and mobility end-uses.
The Road to a Decarbonised Industry
Scaling Renewable Hydrogen in a Regional Ecosystem
Europe must achieve net zero by 2050 while preserving energy security and industrial competitiveness. Castilla y León faces the dual challenge of decarbonising energy-intensive industries and ensuring sustainable economic growth across both rural and industrial areas. Difficult-to-abate sectors such as heavy transport, steel manufacturing, and public services like hospitals urgently require clean alternatives to fossil fuels.
The strategic goals of CyLH2Valley are to:
- Drive industrial decarbonization across mobility, industry, and energy.
- Develop new business models centred on renewable hydrogen.
- Support the EU Green Deal and 2050 climate neutrality targets.
- Align with ESG principles, digital transformation, and circular economy strategies.
From Strategy to Execution
How Esade eWorks contributes to the project
At Esade eWorks, we ensure that innovation projects combine academic rigour and methodology with practical execution. For CyLH2Valley, our role is not just about advancing hydrogen technology, but about building viable ecosystems where industry, citizens, and society share value.
eWorks works closely with the ten pilot projects spanning the whole hydrogen value chain, from production to consumption, in the following tasks:
Financial Strategy
Conduct thorough financial assessments to ensure long-term viability and develop effective strategies that promote long-term economic stability.
Risk Assessment
Carry out risk assessments to ensure resilience and scalability.
Stakeholder Engagement
Align corporate, public, and research partners around common goals.
Execution & Management
Design and facilitate workshops, mentoring, and structured follow-up.
From Vision to Real-World Pilots
Testing the future of hydrogen in action
To validate the hydrogen economy, CyLH2Valley is structured around 9 pilot projects that strengthen the hydrogen ecosystem and demonstrate scalable business opportunities for industry partners.
Clean H2 generation through renewable energy
Focus: Integration of renewable energy generation (solar and wind) with large-scale green hydrogen production.
Aim: To demonstrate a replicable model for clean hydrogen generation that supplies downstream applications within the CyLH2Valley.
Clean H2 and methanol production
Focus: Large-scale production of renewable hydrogen and its conversion into synthetic methanol using captured CO₂.
Aim: To demonstrate a sustainable pathway for decarbonising maritime transport and industrial applications through e-methanol.
Clean H2 and ammonia production
Focus: Large-scale renewable hydrogen production and its conversion into green ammonia for industrial use.
Aim: To decarbonise animal feed production with green ammonia while reducing CO₂ emissions and supporting hydrogen mobility.
Transport and logistics with heavy-duty FCEVs
Focus: Introduction of heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles into long-haul logistics operations.
Aim: To demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen-powered freight transport by reducing emissions in national and international logistics routes.
Urban mobility with fuel cell electric buses
Focus: Deployment of fuel cell electric buses in Burgos’ public transport system.
Aim: To reduce urban emissions and improve air quality by demonstrating hydrogen-powered mobility as a sustainable alternative to conventional fleets.
Clean H2 consumption in the aluminium industry
Focus: Use of hydrogen–natural gas blends in aluminium preheating processes to decarbonise secondary metal production.
Aim: To demonstrate hydrogen as a viable substitute for fossil fuels in energy-intensive industrial applications, reducing CO₂ emissions while maintaining process efficiency.
Clean H2 consumption in Hospitals
Focus: Integration of clean hydrogen into hospital heating systems through blending with natural gas and burner adaptation.
Aim: To reduce CO₂ emissions in large public buildings by demonstrating hydrogen-based heating as a scalable alternative to fossil fuels.
H2 refuelling station
Focus: Development of a versatile high-flow hydrogen refuelling station integrated with both pipeline and tube trailer supply.
Aim: To enable reliable hydrogen refuelling for buses, heavy-duty vehicles, and light FCEVs, while serving as a future hub for regional hydrogen distribution.
H2 distribution through long pipelines
Focus: Deployment of a fibre-reinforced polymer hydrogen pipeline for safe and efficient distribution.
Aim: To demonstrate low-pressure hydrogen transport infrastructure linking production with end-use applications within the valley.
Scaling Hydrogen Innovation
From Castilla y León to Europe
From local pilots to global leadership, CYLH2Valley creates a replicable model for Europe’s hydrogen future.
Regional Transformation, European Leadership
Economic, environmental, and social transformation
The project is set to deliver impact at multiple levels:
Environmental
Major CO₂ emissions reduction through renewable hydrogen adoption in transport and industry.
Economic
Creation of green jobs in hydrogen technology and services, and attraction of industrial investment.
Social
Increase citizen engagement, skills development, and sustainable regional growth, positioning Castilla y León as a hub for sustainable innovation.
European Leadership
A scalable model and blueprint for future Hydrogen Valleys across Europe, aligned with EU Green Deal targets.
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