Gathered under a collective pavilion coordinated by BDI at the HyVolution 2023 exhibition, Brittany highlighted its status as a driving force in the development of ecosystems and solutions related to renewable hydrogen, particularly around the decarbonization of maritime and port ecosystems.
“A strong presence of hydrogen players” at HyVolution
After 2021 and 2022, BDI has once again brought together the hydrogen industry in Brittany under the same banner. Fourteen co-exhibitors, including local authorities, shipbuilders, solution integrators, training institutes, design offices and law firms converged on the Parc des expositions de Paris Porte de Versailles for the 6th edition of the flagship exhibition for hydrogen professionals.
Through conferences or interventions, such as the restitution of the hydrogen ships study conducted by BDI, the Region recalled the course it has been holding since the signing of its renewable hydrogen roadmap, in October 2020. “Thanks to the strong presence of these 14 co-exhibitors, this collective pavilion sent the message that Brittany is positioning itself on shipbuilding and the development of hydrogen port applications, underlines Élodie Boileux, head of the renewable hydrogen mission at BDI. The different highlights of the stand allow us to project ourselves. For the professionals who accompanied us, HyVolution was an event not to be missed. The many contacts made by the co-exhibitors are proof of this.”
The first day of the show was marked by the inauguration of the pavilion in the presence of elected officials, including Daniel Cueff, Vice-President of the Brittany Region in charge of the Coast and the Sea, Mr. Philippe Boucly, President of France Hydrogène, Maria Colas, Vice-President of Lorient Agglomeration in charge of mobility, and Mr. Jean-Marc Labbé, Vice-President of Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomération.
Find the presentation document of the Hyvolution co-exhibitors :
Strong announcements
Significant announcements for the future of the H2 sector in Brittany also marked these two intense days.
Bruno Paris, vice-president for ecological transition at Lorient Agglomération, unveiled the winners of the global performance contract for the construction of the future hydrogen stations of the inter-municipality. Lhyfe and HyGO are the companies selected to design, build, operate and maintain the structures that will supply hydrogen to the next buses and trans-route vessels of the intercommunality.
Choosing to decarbonize its maritime fleet with hydrogen, the Brittany Region has placed an order for a first 150-passenger vessel equipped with fuel cells. Hylias will link Vannes to the island of Arz and will be in service in 2025. This first “zero-emission” ship to sail the seas of Brittany will require the installation of a hydrogen station in the port of Vannes. This combination prefigures the implementation of other models. Loïg Chesnais-Girard, President of the Brittany Region, will discuss these announcements during an event in Vannes in March. “These strong announcements reinforce Brittany’s position as the driving force behind the hydrogen industry in France and will contribute to the momentum already underway,” insists Élodie Boileux.
On the training front, the National Engineering School of Southern Brittany (ENSIBS) has officially accredited its hydrogen and renewable energy sandwich course by the French Engineering Qualifications Commission (CTI).
Finally, the EHM – Efficient Hydrogen Motors teams, fresh back from CES in Las Vegas, announced their partnership with the AAG group, one of the European leaders in the independent distribution of parts and supplies for light vehicles, commercial vehicles and trucks to the independent repair market.
A record 2023 vintage for HyVolution
With figures to back it up, the sixth edition of the HyVolution Paris exhibition confirmed its position as the leading event for hydrogen in Europe.
- 400 exhibitors and brands
- 70 visitor countries
- 16% international visitors
- +73% of professionals present
- 510 B2B meetings organized on the HyVolution Connect platform
These figures have encouraged the HyVolution organizers to extend their stay at the Parc-Expo de Paris Porte de Versailles next year. See you on January 30, 31 and February 1, 2024. Brittany will be there!
