The official launch of the “TRIERES” project, co-funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, takes place on September 28 and 29 in Athens. Motor Oil is the coordinator of the project, which involves 26 partners from five countries (Greece, Cyprus, Austria, the Netherlands, Egypt) and has a duration of 58 months. During the first day of the consortium meeting, greetings were given by the Secretary General of Transport, Mr. I. Xifaras, the CEO of the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations S.A. (HCAP) – Growthfund, Mr. G. Dimitriadis and the CEO of Road Transport S.A. (OSY), Mr. S. Agiasoglou.
The aim of the project is the creation of a “Small Scale Hydrogen Valley”, with geographical reference to the Motor Oil Refinery of Ag. Theodoroi in Corinth. That is a hydrogen ecosystem in Greece, linking the green hydrogen production unit that the company is developing there within the EPHYRA project with businesses, technology providers, academic and research institutions, public sector organisations and local government bodies, becoming potential off-takers. The project provides an important opportunity for the implementation of hydrogen pilot projects (city buses, passenger vehicles, shipping, power plant) and studies of hydrogen use for existing or future applications, and synergies with existing and future hydrogen valleys in the EU (Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus) and Egypt.
The data collected from both the pilot projects and the studies will be used to communicate the benefits of hydrogen to the wider community and the key role it is expected to play in efforts towards European climate neutrality, energy security and changing the country’s energy mix.
The consortium includes:
- Motor Oil Group: Motor Oil Hellas, AVINOIL, LPC, Dioriga Gas
- Local and Regional Authorities: Peloponnese Region, Municipality of Loutraki-Perachora-Aghioi Theodoroi
- Companies (Public – Private Sector): Growthfund, PPC, Piraeus Port Authority, OSY S.A., Dioryga Korinthou (AEDIK), Olympia Odos, NOVA, Fulgor, HYDRUS, Ecoferry Shipping Company, New Energy Environmental Solutions & Technologies EE (NEEST)
- Academic and Research Institutions: NTUA, Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), NCSR-Demokritos,
- EU and third country institutions and companies: University of Groningen, FEN Research, Larnaca Port, Cyprus Federation of Employers and Industrialists, Stichting New Energy Coalition, Hydrogen Egypt as an associate partner.
TRIERES project is inextricably linked with EPHYRA (GA No. 101112220), a highly innovative and pioneering project that will demonstrate an innovative hydrogen production facility of 30 MW at industrial scale, from renewable energy sources, by employing improved electrolysis technology. The large-scale electrolysis will be integrated into the industrial operations of Motor Oil’s Corinth refinery in Aghioi Theodoroi.
Mr. Konstantinos Chatzifotis, Director of European Affairs of Motor Oil Group, said: “Motor Oil Group is dynamically moving forward, leading the green transition in Greece and the wider region of Southeast Europe. Making the most of the opportunities provided by EU funding programmes, in this new era, is crucial for a smooth and just transition to a green economy. In particular, the TRIERES project, co-funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, encourages the development of a sustainable national and regional hydrogen economy with innovative applications, in a time when the search for solutions to diversify energy is mandatory.“
From the Clean Hydrogen Partnership’s side Mrs. Mirela Atanasiu, Executive Director Ad Interim, said: “We are very happy to support this Hydrogen Valley project that is the first of its kind in Greece and are confident that it will have a crucial impact for the roll-out of a Hydrogen Economy in Europe. Flagship projects such as TRIERES can have a tremendous impact by generating public awareness about hydrogen and showcasing that several hydrogen applications are ready to play an important role in the decarbonization of our economy.”
