Imagine trying to swap the fuel in a giant oven that stays on for 15 years without breaking it or ruining the glass. This project creates a digital blueprint and a hardware kit to switch from gas to 100% hydrogen. It's like upgrading a vintage engine to run on clean energy while keeping the output quality exactly the same.
Glass and aluminium industries face massive CO2 emissions and a tight deadline for decarbonization. Because furnaces last 12-15 years, companies must switch to hydrogen now to meet 2050 targets without risking product quality or safety.
A technology stack for 100% H2 combustion, including Digital Twin control systems and a portable electrolyser for on-site H2 supply.
If you are a glass manufacturer dealing with high CO2 emissions and aging furnaces — this project developed a technology stack for 100% H2 combustion that cuts emissions by ca.80%. It ensures product quality remains stable while managing the high speed of hydrogen flames.
If you are an aluminium producer dealing with heavy energy costs and carbon taxes — this project developed transferable models and basic solutions for H2 heating. This allows the industry to adapt glass-sector innovations to similar high-heat metal processes.
If you are an equipment provider dealing with the need for industrial-scale H2 supply — this project developed a portable electrolyser system. It demonstrates how to supply H2 on-site and reuse the byproduct oxygen back into the industrial process.
Based on available project data, the innovations could unlock 1-5B€ in revenues for glass technology deployment and over 17B€ in investments for green H2.
The solutions are validated on 5 industrial demonstrators across container, flat, and fiber glass segments, representing 98% of EU glass production.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project involves 14 industry partners and 7 SMEs developing a shared technology stack.
The project runs from 2023 to 2027, addressing the urgent need to innovate since glass furnaces have a lifetime of 12-15 years.
Integration is managed via Digital Twin techniques for predictive maintenance and combustion control to ensure safety and product quality.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 56% industry ratio, comprising 14 industrial partners and 7 SMEs. With 25 partners across 9 countries, the group includes major market players like Pilkington, Owens Corning, and Hydro, ensuring that the developed technology is grounded in real-world commercial requirements rather than just academic research.
Contact SINTEF ENERGI AS in Norway for technical specifications on the H2 technology stack.
Contact us to connect with the H2GLASS consortium for licensing or pilot implementation.
