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Decarbonization Nexus
The challenge is currently closed
Application closes in
Decarbonization Nexus
The challenge is currently closed
Application closes in
Challenge
The third HyAccelerator Call4Startup, Decarbonization Nexus, aims to discover and advance innovative technologies across the entire hydrogen value chain. We are looking for startups that have the potential to take part to the decarbonization of the Italian and European industrial ecosystem. In collaboration with our industrial partners, we will identify possible applications of your proposed solution into a real environment and through their expertise, we will give you a boost to scale up your technology.
To apply to Decarbonization Nexus, startups will be asked to register on Snaminnova website - Snam’s Open Innovation program platform - and submit their personal data, information about the proposed solution and a pitch presentation.
Each proposed solution will be evaluated by a team of experts and, at the end of the selection process, up to five startups will be selected to be accelerated.
To have more information on the HyAccelerator programme and ask questions, join our presentation webinar on March 6 th at 16:00 CET.
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 methods
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 methods
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
- New approaches to membrane-separation technologies and purification
- Other storage methods
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 applications
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 applications
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. 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
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
- Free registration to Snam vendor list
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
Access to Snam’s network of investors
CDP Corporate Partners
CDP Tech4planet
Hy24
The HyAccelerator represents an opportunity not only for winning startups, but also for finalists of the challenge, which could be involved in the network of TRL 5-7 testing facilities or for specific Snam projects and European funding programs
Regulation
For more details about Decarbonization Nexus, please refer to the attached regulation
RegulationPrivacy Policy
February - March 2024
Collection of applications
After the call opening, participants must submit their candidacy no later than March 26th, 2024
March - April 2024
Evaluation of applications
Following the application phase, selected candidates will be contacted by Snam, in collaboration with partners, for a brief video interview. Afterwards, Snam will communicate which startups will take part to the final Award Event
May 2024
Final Award Event
Selected startups will be awarded in a live event
From June 2024
Acceleration
Selected startups will enter the acceleration program for a period of two months for a technical assessment of their solution. Afterwards, only two startups will continue for an additional 4-month period to develop a prefeasibility study of their technology in a real use case application
Call4Startup
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The second HyAccelerator Call4Startup aimed to seek out and nurture innovative technologies across the entire hydrogen value chain, spanning from production to alternative fuels