Monthly Archives: July 2025

Following the success of the previous editions, the Hydrogen Summer School returned for the third consecutive year. The training programme took place from July 7 to 11, 2025, at the University of Western Macedonia (Kozani, Greece). 

The 3rd Hydrogen Summer ScH2ool was organized by the Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia (CluBE), Advent Technologies, the University of Western Macedonia (UoWM), the Centre of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (KE.DI.VI.M.) of the University of Western Macedonia, the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), and with the support of the Region of Western Macedonia. This initiative was implemented within the framework of the European project Green Skills for Hydrogen, funded by the ERASMUS+ program and in collaboration with the European project, i-STENTORE. 

This international training programme was designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students, PhD candidates, researchers, as well as for professionals in the energy sector, technical staff and business executives interested in specializing in the field of hydrogen. 

Exploring the Hydrogen Value Chain

The training programme offered a thorough exploration of the hydrogen value chain through a mix of expert lectures, from academics and representatives of companies, hands-on sessions, lab visits, and an interactive workshop. Participants explored topics such as electrolyser and fuel cell technologies, hydrogen integration into mobility and industrial applications, and policy aspects of hydrogen deployment. 

A core highlight of the week was the specialised pilot training delivered by Advent Technologies. This session provided participants an overview of fuel cell technologies and markets, focusing on High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells, advanced membrane electrode assemblies, hydrogen and fuel cell applications, Alkaline Electrolyser Cells (AEC), and key aspects of hydrogen economics. The module helped participants understand both the technical and commercial aspects of hydrogen innovation, bridging the gap between research and real-world deployment. 

From theory to practice: Educational visits & Demonstration of an H2-FCEV

The theoretical approach was enriched with an educational visit to the Laboratory of Alternative Fuels and Environmental Catalysis (LAFEC) of the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Western Macedonia, offering participants direct contact with the research activity and enhancing the interactivity of the educational programme. 

In addition, during the training a study visit was organised to the premises of the company HORIZON S.A.: Renewable Energy Sources, in Agkistron, Serres, which includes a range of different renewable energy sources as well as energy storage technologies, in collaboration with the European project i-STENTORE and with the support of the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH). The visit provided a first-hand look at a Living Lab environment that integrates various renewable energy and storage technologies with hydrogen systems. At the Agkistron site, participants explored cutting-edge infrastructure including PEM electrolyzers, hydrogen storage tanks, fuel cells, photovoltaic systems, lithium-ion battery storage, and biomass gasification units. These technologies operate in combination to demonstrate how hydrogen can be integrated into real-world energy systems. It was a moment of experiential learning that allowed participants to deepen their technical understanding while seeing innovation in motion.

Lastly, as a highlight of the training programme, participants were given the opportunity to experience a live demonstration of the Hyundai NEXO, a hydrogen-powered vehicle. This engaging session offered a practical glimpse into the future of clean mobility solutions. The demonstration included a hands-on test-driving experience, allowing participants to personally explore the vehicle’s innovative technology, smooth performance, and zero-emission operation. 

Building bridges through the “Hydrogen Challenge” workshop

A key part of the programme’s value also came from its commitment to fostering collaboration between the academic and industrial worlds. The “Hydrogen Challenge” workshop was an interactive session that aimed at the active participation of students, researchers and professionals through the practical addressing of challenges posed by companies active in the hydrogen sector. Through collaborative working methods and exchange of ideas, participants were invited to propose solutions and connect with the world of research and industry. These challenges ranged from technical bottlenecks in hydrogen production and storage to broader market or policy-related questions.

This workshop encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and team spirit, while helping participants connect their learning to real needs in the field. It was also an opportunity to engage directly with industry experts, ask questions, and receive feedback, turning the learning process into a two-way exchange. All the ideas and proposals presented during the workshop sparked further discussion and reflected the innovative mindset that the Summer ScH2ool is designed to cultivate.

A platform for Growth, Networking, and Collaboration

More than just a training course, the 3rd Hydrogen Summer ScH2ool functioned as a unique platform for networking and professional growth. Participants had the opportunity to meet peers and experts from various backgrounds and countries, creating a strong foundation for future collaborations. Many of the attendees expressed how the experience not only deepened their technical knowledge but also expanded their professional horizons.

At the core of i-STENTORE’s demonstration activities are five pilots across five European countries, each showcasing innovative combinations of energy storage technologies as key enablers in the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient power grid. This post focuses on Demo 3, Virtual Energy Storage System for Renewable Energy Integration, which is being implemented in Spain, in the province of Granada. 

The demo brings together a diverse group of Spanish partners from academia, industry, and technology, creating a highly effective collaborative environment that supports the successful deployment of the proposed use cases. The University Carlos III of Madrid (UC3M) leads the demo and is responsible for developing and implementing the real-time control system for the storage assets. Cuerva is the Distribution System Operator (DSO) of the local grid. CEN Solutions supplies and integrates the Li-ion battery system, while Aggregering (AGG), an ICT service provider, is developing the demo’s cloud-based digital platform. Finally, the University of Málaga (UMA) is in charge of designing the optimization algorithms that will govern the demo’s operation.

Another fundamental element of Demo 3 is its multi-layer control architecture. The upper layer is managed by the demo’s digital platform, which is cloud-based and hosts the optimization engine. This platform facilitates communication between the various components of the demo as well as with the broader i-STENTORE digital ecosystem.

The intermediate layer consists of a central controller responsible for the real-time execution of the demo. It adjusts the output of the storage assets based on actual grid conditions, monitored at the Point of Connection (POC). At the lowest layer, local controllers embedded within the storage systems handle direct control actions.

This architecture has been specifically designed to enable the demonstration of key use cases, including:

• Participation in the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) for energy arbitrage,
• Participation in the Tertiary Reserve Market to support the TSO’s frequency regulation system, and
• Provision of flexibility services to the DSO.

In this context, Demo 3 aims to achieve several core objectives: optimizing storage services by leveraging the complementary characteristics of the technologies integrated into the Virtual Energy Storage System; enhancing the business case for both the energy storage systems and the associated renewable plants; and promoting higher penetration of renewable energy within the grid area supported by the VESS.

Additionally, the demo contributes to improved grid performance through the dynamic and coordinated response of the storage units. It also demonstrates how multiple stakeholders—such as the VESS operator, renewable plant operators, and DSOs—can interact in an open, secure, and efficient manner via the VESS digital platform. Finally, the demo explores how this digital management platform can interface with other data spaces to further improve overall system performance.

In conclusion, Demo 3 represents a significant step forward in demonstrating how advanced energy storage systems, supported by intelligent control and digitalisation, can accelerate the integration of renewable energy into the grid. By showcasing a real-life application in a complex and renewable-rich environment like Granada, this demo not only validates technical solutions but also opens the door to future business models and cooperation frameworks that are essential for a more resilient, flexible, and sustainable energy system.