The HYDEA Project Receives the 2024 Atlantic Project Award in Bordeaux

Nov 22, 2024, 12:00:00 PM

The European project HYDEA was recognized today in Bordeaux during a ceremony at the 11th Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference, receiving the 2024 Atlantic Project Award in the category of Atlantic Ports and Blue Economy. These awards celebrate successful initiatives and significant achievements that contribute to the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0. Organized by the Atlantic Strategy Committee with the support of the Atlantic Assistance Mechanism, the awards highlight projects carried out in the EU member states of the Atlantic Action Plan in recent years. They showcase success stories, best practices, and partnership models that could be expanded regionally, nationally, across Europe, or internationally while promoting the key priorities of the Atlantic Strategy.

The HYDEA project consortium, funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area 2021-2027 program, brings together entities from Spain, France, Portugal, and Ireland under the leadership of the EnergyLab Technology Center. The consortium includes active participation from four ports, two universities, and three companies:

Port Authority of Vigo
Port Authority of Seville
Société Portuaire Brest Bretagne
Administração dos Portos do Douro, Leixões e Viana do Castelo
France Energies Marines
National University of Ireland, Galway
University of Porto
Hive Hydrogen
Évolution Synergétique Automotive S.L.

Objectives of HYDEA

The primary goal of HYDEA is to evaluate, develop, and promote the use of green hydrogen technologies derived from renewable energy sources (e.g., marine energy) in Atlantic Area ports. This goal is structured around several specific objectives aimed at addressing key challenges:

Promoting a clear role for hydrogen in the strategic energy plans of ports.
Enhancing knowledge about various hydrogen production technologies that are feasible for port applications.
Implementing technological demonstrators to attract investors to viable business models.

Key Achievements in the First Year

During its first year of implementation, HYDEA has achieved several milestones:

Creation of an interactive map highlighting key hydrogen initiatives in Atlantic Area ports, providing a comprehensive overview of the role ports are playing in the hydrogen economy and showcasing ongoing project models.
Identification of applications, bottlenecks, and opportunities for hydrogen in the ports of Brest, Leixões, Vigo, Seville, Bilbao, Gijón, and Galway.
Organization of international discussions on safety and security issues during the Sea Tech Week held in October in Brest, France.

Future Outlook

HYDEA paves the way for accelerating the development and deployment of green hydrogen technologies as an alternative energy source for various fleets and vehicles. This marks a significant step forward in the research, development, and implementation of alternatives to current energy sources.

Green hydrogen, derived from renewable energy sources with zero CO2 emissions, is a clean, sustainable fuel with zero pollution, making it a key driver for the decarbonization of society, particularly in ports.

THE PORT OF VIGO RENEWS ITS INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION 'PERS' AND CONSOLIDATES ITS LEADERSHIP IN MARITIME SUSTAINABILITY

Sep 16, 2026, 9:47:00 AM

• The institution renews this port-sector-specific standard, promoted by EcoPorts, which recognises excellence in environmental management and impact assessment. • The renewal of the PERS certification adds to an integrated system bearing ISO certification in quality, environment, safety and energy management, in addition to the EMAS III registration. • The Port Authority integrates this certification within a comprehensive strategy that covers continuous monitoring, spill response, the circular economy and the restoration of marine biodiversity.

HYTEA - A DECISION-SUPPORT TOOL TO OPTIMISE THE GREEN HYDROGEN VALUE CHAIN IN PORTS

Sep 8, 2026, 6:00:00 PM

A tool for testing green hydrogen deployment scenarios in ports As interest in green hydrogen as a pathway to decarbonisation grows, so does the need for practical tools to help stakeholders assess the technical, economic and operational considerations of developing hydrogen infrastructure, from production and storage through to transport and end use. Since HYDEA's main objective is to drive the hydrogen transition in ports across the Atlantic Area, the project set out to develop a decision-support tool for hydrogen applications in ports. The main aim of this open-source tool, called HyTEA 1.0, is to support techno-economic assessment and decision-making in the planning and development of green hydrogen supply chains. It was developed by researchers at the University of Galway, a partner in the HYDEA consortium.

THE NEW UNDERWATER VIEWPOINT AT THE PORT OF VIGO WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW, FRIDAY

Jul 23, 2026, 6:00:00 PM

• The APV once again draws inspiration from Jules Verne and his "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" to bring "Atlántida" to life, evoking Captain Nemo and the crew of the Nautilus, who walked the seabed discovering the hidden treasures of the submerged realm. • Admission will be free, with guided visits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national public holidays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. • Visitors will be able to observe first-hand the daily routine of the various marine species that inhabit this ecosystem, such as white seabream, common two-banded seabream, ballan wrasse, seabass, cuttlefish, bogue and the distinctive triggerfish.