REMOTE · Project

Hydrogen Energy Storage Proven in 4 Real Off-Grid Sites Across Europe

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Imagine a small island or mountain village that relies on diesel generators because power lines never reached them. This project built hydrogen-based batteries — systems that turn solar or wind power into hydrogen for storage, then convert it back to electricity when needed. They installed and tested these systems at 4 real locations: a Mediterranean island, a Greek mountain site, an Alpine hamlet, and a Nordic island with a fish factory. The goal was to completely replace diesel with clean energy in places the grid cannot reach.

By the numbers

demonstration sites deployed across Europe

hydrogen energy storage solutions validated (integrated P2P and non-integrated P2G+G2P)

consortium partners involved

countries represented in consortium

total project deliverables produced

SMEs in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Remote and off-grid locations — islands, mountain villages, isolated industrial sites — depend on expensive, polluting diesel generators because extending the power grid is not economical. Fuel must be physically transported to these sites, driving up costs and creating supply vulnerabilities. These communities and businesses need a reliable, self-contained energy system that runs on locally available renewable sources.

The solution

What was built

The project built and deployed 2 types of hydrogen-based energy storage systems (integrated power-to-power, and non-integrated power-to-gas plus gas-to-power) at 4 real demonstration sites across Europe. Deliverables include site preparation, P2P system development, control system development, equipment commissioning, and architectural integration at sites in Spain, Greece, Italy, and Norway.

Audience

Who needs this

Energy utilities serving island or remote communities (like ENEL Green Power)Mining and resource extraction companies operating off-grid sitesMilitary and defense organizations with forward operating basesTelecom operators maintaining off-grid tower infrastructureEco-tourism resorts and remote hospitality operators seeking energy independence

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Utilities & Energy Supply

enterprise

Target: Energy utility operating in island or remote communities

If you are a utility company supplying power to off-grid islands or remote communities using expensive diesel — this project demonstrated 2 hydrogen-based energy storage solutions at 4 sites across Europe that achieved complete substitution of fossil fuels. The systems pair renewables (solar, wind, hydro, biomass) with fuel-cell-based hydrogen storage to deliver reliable 24/7 power without transmission lines.

Mining & Remote Industry

mid-size

Target: Mining or industrial operator at remote sites without grid connection

If you are running industrial operations in areas without grid access — this project validated sub-MW power-to-power hydrogen systems that handle industrial loads on-site. The Norwegian demo specifically powered a fish processing facility on an island, proving the technology works for real commercial operations, not just residential lighting.

Telecommunications & Infrastructure

enterprise

Target: Telecom or infrastructure company with off-grid base stations

If you are maintaining remote infrastructure like telecom towers or monitoring stations powered by diesel generators — this project built and tested integrated power-to-power systems that convert renewable energy to hydrogen and back. With 4 validated demos in different climates (Mediterranean, Alpine, Nordic), the technology is proven across diverse conditions.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does a system like this cost compared to diesel generators?

The project aimed to demonstrate economic feasibility of hydrogen storage versus alternatives, but specific cost-per-kWh figures are not available in the published data. Based on available project data, the systems are sub-MW scale, meaning they target smaller installations where transmission line costs would be prohibitive. The economic case is strongest where diesel must be shipped to remote locations at high transport cost.

Can this scale to power a full industrial site?

The systems demonstrated are sub-MW scale, designed for isolated micro-grids and off-grid remote areas. The Norwegian demo included industrial loads (fish processing) alongside residential, showing the technology handles commercial demand. Scaling beyond sub-MW would require engineering adaptation, but the 4 demos validated the core storage and conversion chain.

Who owns the IP and can I license this technology?

The consortium of 15 partners across 7 countries developed the technology, with 10 industry partners and 5 SMEs involved. IP is likely shared among consortium members. Politecnico di Torino coordinated the project. Licensing discussions would need to go through the specific technology suppliers in the consortium.

Has this actually been tested in real conditions or just in a lab?

This is fully field-tested, not lab work. The project deployed 4 demonstration systems at real sites: an off-grid island in southern Italy (end-user: ENEL Green Power), a hydro-powered site in Greece (end-user: Horizon SA), an Alpine hamlet in northern Italy, and a Nordic island in Norway (end-user: Trønder Energi utility). Site preparation, commissioning, and architectural integration deliverables confirm physical installation.

How long has this been running and is it still operational?

The project ran from January 2018 to June 2023, giving over 5 years of development and demonstration time. The project status is now closed. Whether individual demo sites continue operating depends on the end-users (ENEL Green Power, Horizon SA, Trønder Energi) who hosted them.

Does this meet current energy regulations for off-grid systems?

The project was funded as an Innovation Action under the EU Fuel Cells and Hydrogen program (topic FCH-02-12-2017), which requires compliance with EU energy and safety standards. Based on available project data, the demos were deployed with real utility end-users like ENEL Green Power and Trønder Energi, suggesting regulatory requirements were met for those installations.

What kind of technical support is available for deployment?

The consortium includes 10 industry partners and 3 research organizations with direct experience from building and operating 4 demo sites. The project specifically aimed at exploitation and business scenarios for replication of these solutions in different micro-grid configurations. Support would come through the technology suppliers in the consortium.

Consortium

Who built it

The REMOTE consortium is heavily industry-oriented: 10 out of 15 partners come from industry (67%), with 5 SMEs contributing specialized capabilities. The project spans 7 countries (Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Norway), giving it exposure to Mediterranean, Alpine, and Nordic operating conditions. Coordinated by Politecnico di Torino, the only university in the group, the consortium brought in 3 research organizations and involved major end-users like ENEL Green Power and Trønder Energi as demo hosts. For a business buyer, this means the technology was developed and tested by companies that understand commercial deployment, not just academic researchers.

POLITECNICO DI TORINOCoordinator · IT
IRIS SRLparticipant · IT
ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXISparticipant · EL
BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS EUROPE ASparticipant · DK
INSTRUMENTACION Y COMPONENTES SAparticipant · ES
STIFTELSEN SINTEFparticipant · NO
INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO DE CANARIAS,S.A.participant · ES
HYDROGENICS EUROPE NVparticipant · BE
SINTEF ASparticipant · NO
ENEL GREEN POWER SPAparticipant · IT
NHOA ENERGY SRLparticipant · IT
TRONDERENERGI ASparticipant · NO

How to reach the team

Politecnico di Torino (Italy) coordinated this project. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to the project team.

Order a report on this consortium See POLITECNICO DI TORINO profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore whether hydrogen storage fits your off-grid energy needs? SciTransfer can connect you with the REMOTE project team and provide a tailored feasibility brief for your specific site.

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