H2SmartLab

H2SmartLab is designed to support the shift from traditional, non-renewable energy sources to renewable ones, with a special focus on hydrogen. Its goal is to create a research infrastructure that smartly integrates renewable hydrogen production, storage, and utilization with an advanced monitoring and management system. This integrated approach aims to enhance the resilience and efficiency of hydrogen-based systems.

A key component of the project is the use of digital twin technology. This innovative tool enables detailed simulations and predictive analyses, ensuring that system performance is continuously optimized and that future needs are effectively addressed.

The H2SmartLab infrastructure will consist of two nodes:

• H2 Integrated Lab, in turn made up of two laboratories: Analysis of Hydrogen Production, Storage and Utilization Systems (APSU) and Measurements on the Hydrogen Supply Chain (MFI), both located at the Area Science Park campus in Basovizza

• Hydor, which will host the computing infrastructure required for the development of the digital twin and for processing most of the data acquired in the H2 Integrated Lab, located at the SISSA campus – International School for Advanced Studies

OBJECTIVES

• Enhance Energy Processes: to improve the production, storage, and use of hydrogen to boost overall energy efficiency
• Develop a Digital Twin Model: to create a virtual replica of the infrastructure for analyzing and optimizing hydrogen infrastructure
• Implement Real-Time Monitoring: to establish a platform for continuous and predictive system monitoring to ensure reliability.
• Integrate AI-Driven Simulations: to use advanced artificial intelligence models for smarter management of hydrogen resources.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Through H2SmartLab, the project aims to achieve:

• More resilient infrastructures: the use of the digital twin will help strengthen and improve the safety and stability of hydrogen-based systems.

• Greater energy efficiency: optimizing electrolyzers and storage systems will help reduce energy consumption and increase the efficiency of the entire system.

• High-quality experimental data: collecting operational data on production and storage technologies will support further developments and research in the sector.

• Concrete commercial applications: the project will support the development of optimized plants suitable both for industry and for domestic needs on a small or medium scale.

• Technological advancement: validating technologies in simulated and real environments will help increase the technology readiness level of the solutions developed.

H2SmartLab is funded by the Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia under the call LR 13/2023, article 7, paragraphs 14 and 15 bis, which supports the creation and modernization of research infrastructures in the renewable hydrogen field.