firsttime

Make it
H2appen!

Welcome to the HyAccelerator, Snam’s international program aimed at advancing innovative ideas and technologies for the energy transition. 

This acceleration program is a key initiative within Snam’s open innovation framework, Snaminnova. It is led by Snam in collaboration with its affiliated companies and industrial partners in the gas transmission sector to shape the decarbonized economy of tomorrow.


HyAccelerator hydrogen accelerator

Vision

Snam aims to lead the energy transition by shaping the future hydrogen value chain and deploying state-of-the-art technologies worldwide. Through the HyAccelerator, our goal is to support startups and entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in the hydrogen ecosystem, further reinforcing our commitment to decarbonization. 

future hydrogen value chain energy transition

Mission

The HyAccelerator supports start-ups with disruptive ideas in the Hydrogen-sphere/ecosystem with facilities and expertise to prototype, test and develop pilot projects. The programme entails access to Snam’s unique Hydrogen Innovation Centre, a network of research hubs intertwining core business competencies in energy systems and infrastructure with cutting-edge research and facilities from academic partners.  Don’t miss the opportunity to trailblaze the Hydrogen revolution, make it H2appen with Snam!

Hydrogen network Hydrogen Innovation Center

Vision

Snam aspires to spearhead the energy transition by shaping the future value chain of decarbonization and deploying cutting-edge technologies globally. Through the HyAccelerator, our goal is to support startups and entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in the clean tech ecosystem, further reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable and decarbonized future.

future hydrogen value chain energy transition

HyAccelerator Program

The HyAccelerator launches periodical Call4Startup on decarbonization-related focus areas. Snam selects a limited number of startups to participate to the HyAccelerator program, providing them with mentoring, technical expertise and economic support for their entrepreneurial development. Moreover, during the acceleration phase, startups will benefit from guidance provided by special industrial partners and experts.

Call4Startup

Apply before the deadline to be amongst the selected startups to access the HyAccelerator program!

HyAccelerator Program 

The HyAccelerator program consists of two stages. Five finalists will join a first two-month acceleration phase. Then, only two winners will embark on a four-month second phase, developing a pre-feasibility study for a real use case.

Final Session

After the acceleration period, you will be presenting your solution and progress to an extended audience of Snam partners and investment funds

Post-acceleration

After the acceleration period, Snam proposes to the selected startups either a go-to-market strategy or to continue the joint development of the proposed solution in collaboration with selected industrial partners

Focus Areas

Hydrogen Production focus area

Production

Production Producing hydrogen on a large scale is crucial for the success of the Energy Transition. We are interested in any technology that can lead to the development of efficient and low cost hydrogen production, such as: 

  • Technologies for low carbon hydrogen production (e.g. water electrolysis, steam methane reforming technologies, etc.) 
  • New cracking technologies to extract hydrogen from other chemical compounds (e.g. ammonia cracking, etc.) 
  • Other production method

Hydrogen transportation focus area

Transportation

Asset readiness for the transportation of hydrogen is the key to establish a full hydrogen economy. Optimization and innovation of traditional transportation requires new solutions and materials like: 
  • New technologies for hydrogen injection into the pipeline 
  • Solutions enabling hydrogen/natural gas blending 
  • New approaches to membrane-separation technologies and purification 
  • Other Trasnportation method

hydrogen storage focus area

Storage & Carriers

Storage technology enhancement is fundamental to allow the deployment of hydrogen in the power and transportation sectors. We are searching for high performance materials and new storage systems like: 
  • Physisorption technologies, Metal hydrides, Liquid Organic and Inorganic Hydrogen Carriers
  • High-performance materials to reduce leakages and tank defects  
  • Other storage method

Hydrogen industry end-use focus area

Industry end-use

Enhanced and innovative technological low-carbon solutions are necessary to bring hydrogen to industrial users. To open the path for deep decarbonization, the role of stationary fuel cells or other alternative technologies for end-use of hydrogen is crucial in hard-to-abate sectors

Hydrogen mobility end-use focus area

Mobility end-use

Development and deployment of hydrogen fuel cells will be a key enabler of zero emission mobility. A dedicated refuelling infrastructure and local storage is also needed to ensure safe and cost-effective transition to hydrogen-based mobility

Alternative fuels focus area

Alternative Fuels

Innovative systems and new catalysts for the production of alternative fuels, starting from H 2 and CO 2, are essential to accelerate a sustainable transition




Focus Areas

Production 

Producing hydrogen on a large scale is crucial for the success of the Energy Transition. We are interested in any technology that can lead to the development of efficient and low cost hydrogen production, such as:  

  • Technologies for low carbon hydrogen production (e.g. water electrolysis, steam methane reforming technologies, etc.)
  • New cracking technologies to extract hydrogen from other chemical compounds (e.g. ammonia cracking, etc.)
  • Other production method

Transportation

Asset readiness for the transportation of hydrogen is the key to establish a full hydrogen economy. Optimization and innovation of traditional transportation requires new solutions and materials like:

  • New technologies for hydrogen injection into the pipeline
  • Solutions enabling hydrogen/natural gas blending
  • New approaches to membrane-separation technologies and purification
  • Other transportation method

Storage & Carriers

Storage technology enhancement is fundamental to allow the deployment of hydrogen in the power and transportation sectors. We are searching for high performance materials and new storage systems like: 

  • Physisorption technologies, Metal hydrides, Liquid Organic and Inorganic Hydrogen Carriers
  • High-performance materials to reduce leakages and tank defects
  • Long duration hydrogen and energy storage solutions
  • Other storage method

Industry end-use

Enhanced and innovative technological low-carbon solutions are necessary to bring hydrogen to industrial users. We are open to every technology with a crucial role for hard-to-abate sectors like: 

  • Fuel Cell systems for primary generation, backup power and co-generation
  • Innovation of current and/or identification of new hydrogen-fed heat and power generators
  • Other industry end-use 

Mobility end-use

Development of a dedicated hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and local storage is needed to ensure safe and cost-effective transition to hydrogen-based mobility. We are seeking different technologies such as:  

  • Hydrogen combustion engines and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles
  • Efficiency improvements for long distance transportation
  • Hydrogen refuelling stations and infrastructures
  • Other mobility end-use 

Alternative Fuels

Innovative systems and new catalysts for the production of alternative fuels, starting from
H2 and CO2, are essential to accelerate a sustainable transition. We support new solutions like:

  • Production of fuels and fuel precursors (e.g. methane, etc.) without carbon emissions
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuels
  • Other alternative fuels

Hydrogen supporting technologies

We also welcome every innovator with a disruptive idea or technology that can enable the hydrogen economy, in relation with the other six topics

Focus Areas

Hydrogen

  • Producing hydrogen on a large scale is crucial for the success of the Energy Transition. We are interested in any technology that can lead to the development of efficient and low-cost hydrogen production, such as: 

    • Technologies for low carbon hydrogen production (e.g. water electrolysis, steam methane reforming technologies, etc.)
    • New cracking technologies to extract hydrogen from other chemical compounds (e.g. ammonia cracking, etc.)
    • Other production methods
  • Asset readiness for the transportation of hydrogen is the key to establish a full hydrogen economy. Optimization and innovation of traditional transportation requires new solutions and materials like:

    • New technologies for hydrogen injection into the pipeline 
    • Solutions enabling hydrogen/natural gas blending 
    • New approaches to membrane-separation technologies and purification 
    • Other transportation methods

  • Storage technology enhancement is fundamental to allow the deployment of hydrogen in the power and transportation sectors. We are searching for high performance materials and new storage systems like:

    • Physisorption technologies, Metal hydrides, Liquid Organic and Inorganic Hydrogen Carriers 
    • High-performance materials to reduce leakages and tank defects
    • Long duration hydrogen and energy storage solutions
    • Other storage methods

  • Enhanced and innovative technological low-carbon solutions are necessary to bring hydrogen to industrial users. We are open to every technology with a crucial role for hard-to-abate sectors like:

    • Fuel Cell systems for primary generation, backup power and co-generation
    • Innovation of current and/or identification of new hydrogen-fed heat and power generators
    • Other industrial end-use applications

  • Development of a dedicated hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and local storage is needed to ensure safe and cost-effective transition to hydrogen-based mobility. We are seeking for different technologies such as:

    • Hydrogen combustion engines and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles 
    • Efficiency improvements for long distance transportation 
    • Hydrogen refuelling stations and infrastructures
    • Other mobility end-use applications

  • Innovative systems and new catalysts for the production of alternative fuels, starting from H₂ and CO₂, are essential to accelerate a sustainable transition. We support new solutions like:

    • Production of fuels and fuel precursors (e.g. e-methane, etc.) without carbon emissions 
    • Sustainable Aviation Fuels 
    • Other alternative fuels

Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage

  • Carbon Capture is essential for the success of the decarbonization revolution, but it still needs to overcome many obstacles. We are interested in any technological solutions for the improvement and development of Carbon Capture technologies, such as:

    • Advanced capturing techniques ensuring high efficiency and low energy consumption from industrial flue gases at different CO₂ concentrations
    • Innovative direct air capture (DAC) solutions
    • Innovative integrations into industrial processes 
  • CO₂ can be viewed as a potential resource to create new materials or to fuel new chemical processes. We are searching enhanced and innovative solutions converting CO₂ into useful products or using it in industrial processes. Solutions include, but are not limited to: 

    • Processes for enhanced CO₂ sorption and conversion
    • Innovative materials development 
    • Mineralization of CO₂ into highly stable and inert materials

  • CO₂ storage and transportation are closely connected to enable the deployment of CCUS across infrastructures and within industrial sectors. We are seeking for high impact solutions for CO₂ transport and storage, like: 

    • Diagnostics and monitoring of various significant parameters for CO₂ transport and storage
    • Innovative solutions for repurposing existing infrastructure for CO₂ transport and storage
    • Geological, mineralization technologies, other solutions for long-term storage

Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES)

    • Inter-day storage
    • Daily storage
    • Seasonal storage

    Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) is key for future energy systems, as it allows electricity to be stored for long periods, typically 8 hours or more. We are looking for competitive solutions for energy storage with competitive Round Trip Efficiency (RTE). Solutions include, but are not limited to:

    • Innovative solution that can leverage the connection to our infrastructure to store energy in the form of molecules
    • Innovative and efficient electrochemical solution (no Battery Energy Storage System - BESS)
    • Solutions based on mechanical cycles
    • Thermal storage solutions synergetic with our infrastructure
    • Chemical storage solutions (e.g. molecules in lined rock caverns, vertical underground storage, non-geological storage)
    • Other LDES technologies 

Why take part

The winners of the challenge will be provided with the necessary tools and perks to apply their technology in a real use case in collaboration with Snam, without being asked any equity. These include:

  • Development of a pre-feasibility study to use startup’s tech in industrial environment
  • Equity-free contribution (ar. 30k€)
  • Free registration to Snam vendor list
  • Access to Decarbonization Research Center
  • Access to testing facilities of the new European project H2SHIFTNetwork of Open Innovation Test Bed for hydrogen production technologies, open to startups and SMEs around the world. The facilities represent an opportunity for startups to test and upscale their solution in an industrial environment (TRL 5-7)
  • Collaboration with Snam’s industrial ecosystem and affiliates
  • Collaboration with the exclusive TSO’s Innovation Club members
  • Connection with the Educational Program HySET HySET is the First Master’s Degree course entirely dedicated to the hydrogen supply chain. The startups can have the opportunity to create connection with consortium partners and get in touch with new talents 
  • European fundings Possibility to discover and join new European funded projects aligned with startup’s technology, benefiting from Snam expertise
  • Access to investors’ network

    CDP Corporate Partners

    CDP Tech4planet

    Hy24

The HyAccelerator is not just an opportunity for winning startups but also for the five challenge finalists. These finalists may be engaged in the future for specific Snam projects and European funding programs as H2SHIFT.

Why take part

The winners of the challenge will be provided with the necessary tools and perks to apply their technology in a real use case in collaboration with Snam, without being asked any equity. These include:

  • Development of a pre-feasibility study to use startup’s tech in Snam environment
  • Equity-free contribution (ar. 30k€)
  • To cover the expenses that will be incurred during the collaboration for the prefeasibility study

  • Free registration to Snam vendor list
  • Access to Decarbonization Research Center
  • Network of Open Innovation Test Bed for hydrogen production technologies, open to startups and SMEs around the world. The facilities represent an opportunity for startups to test and upscale their solution in an industrial environment (TRL 5-7)

    Snam network of outstanding Italian and International Universities dedicated to R&D projects
  • Collaboration with the exclusive TSOs' Innovation Club members
  • Connection with the Educational Program HySET
  • European fundings
  • Access to investors’ network
  • HySET is the First Master’s Degree course entirely dedicated to the hydrogen supply chain. The startups can have the opportunity to create connection with consortium partners and get in touch with new talents

    Possibility to discover and join new European funded projects aligned with startup’s technology, benefiting from Snam expertise

    Access to Snam’s network of investors

    CDP Corporate Partners

    CDP Tech4planet

    Hy24

The HyAccelerator is not just an opportunity for winning startups but also for the five challenge finalists. These finalists may be engaged in the future for specific Snam projects and European funding programs as H₂SHIFT.

TSOs' Innovation Club

Snam collaborates with many partners in the HyAccelerator program to provide industrial expertise and support the development of a real use case of startups’ technology in an industrial environment. The TSO’s Innovation Club is an initiative meant to bring together Transmission System Operators from across Europe to drive innovation and advance the energy sector.

Call4Startup

Net Zero Revolution

The fourth edition of the HyAccelerator Call4Startup will open shortly, inviting startups with innovative solutions across the entire hydrogen value chain, the CCUS, and the LDES ecosystem, encompassing all HyAccelerator focus areas

hydrogen startup call for startup

Meet the Team

"Hydrogen opens a path for us to live in a greener, fairer and more prosperous world. That’s why it’s worth developing its technologies.
Now is the time to invest in achieving the future our planet deserves."