Innsbruck, 20 February 2026 – The project consortium Green Hydrogen Development & Investment GmbH (Austria), ADELE Hydrogen SAS (France) and RCT GH GmbH (Germany) are planning to build and supply green hydrogen to domestic industry in Tyrol (Austria).
The ALPINE Hydrogen project has completed and submitted its application for EU funding as part of the EU Hydrogen Bank auction. The aim of the bid is to produce highly efficient ‘alpine’ hydrogen using green electricity from Austria. The projected prices for the hydrogen can compete with conventional hydrogen, which has to be delivered over many kilometers using so-called trailers. In addition, each kilogram of green hydrogen used, has a CO2 reduction potential of up to 13 kilograms. This has also been well received by politicians, with written support for the project coming from Mario Gerber, Tyrolean Minister for Economic Affairs, who points out in his letter of support that ‘the project (...) makes an important contribution to the decarbonisation of Tyrol as an industrial location and to technological development in the field of renewable energies’.
And this is precisely why the project partners have come together: innovative technology from Europe for the electrodes and coating in the electrolysis cells. This makes the plant more flexible and compact and achieves the best efficiency values compared to conventional technologies. Olivier Bucheli from project partner ADELE explains: ‘The electrode materials developed and manufactured in France not only increase the performance of electrolysis by 250%, but also increase process flexibility. This significantly improves integration into the power grid.’ In this way, the alkaline electrolysers can be operated at 5MW instead of their original 2MW. This allows 1,000 cubic metres of hydrogen to be produced per hour. The consortium expects to produce around 500 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, resulting in a reduction in CO2 emissions of over 4,000 tonnes per year. There are already enquiries from interested parties for a second plant.
Christian Weinberger, spokesperson for the project consortium, also emphasises this point: "With the ALPINE Hydrogen project, highly flexible electrodes will make it possible for the first time to supply industry directly with cost-effective green hydrogen in Tyrol and, at the same time, sell the so-called secondary control load to the electricity grid operators. This means maximum “grid serviceability” – here, green hydrogen is used to regulate and optimise the electricity grids. And it optimises the production costs for hydrogen.‘ Or to put it simply: ’If there is too much (renewable) electricity in the grid, we produce a lot of hydrogen. If there is too little, the electrolyser runs at idle speed, so to speak. And this is adjusted every quarter of an hour."
The reason why this approach also results in lower production costs than comparable systems is the use of cost-effective components, including those from international manufacturers," says Dr Eric Rüland from project partner RCT. ‘The optimal distribution of the value chain of inexpensive standard components, including those from Chinese production, combined with manufacturing in Germany and core components from Europe, ensures proven, robust and durable technology at very low manufacturing costs.’ This constellation also makes the electrolyser eligible for funding under the EU Hydrogen Bank auction. The consortium has now applied for the next round with this innovative approach and is hoping for an additional subsidy for every kilogram of green hydrogen produced.
ALPINE Hydrogen partners:
GH2D is a project developer and investor in green hydrogen production and storage projects. In addition to reduced-cost production, the focus is also on energy self-sufficiency and significantly more cost-effective stationary storage systems.
ADELE Hydrogen SAS is an innovative technology start-up that develops and manufactures precious metal-free high-performance electrodes for alkaline electrolysis and supplies electrolysis manufacturers worldwide.
ADELE Hydrogen SAS is based in Lyon, France, and continues to develop its patented materials in collaboration with a network of European academic partners. It manufactures its products in partnership with established manufacturers.
RCT GH GmbH develops and manufactures solutions for the production of green hydrogen based on alkaline water electrolysis. The focus is on durability and high efficiency over the entire service life.
The German company RCT GH GmbH (RCT Hydrogen), based in Constance on Lake Constance, is a joint venture with RCT Holding as the majority shareholder and the Chinese equipment manufacturer Guofuhee as the minority shareholder.
