H2-Synergy: Research and Business Working Together for the Future of Hydrogen

On October 29, Cefla participated in the closing event of the H2-Synergy project, held at the Tecnopolo in Bologna and dedicated to the future of hydrogen and its derivatives.

The initiative presented the results of a research project developed with the support of European funds from the Emilia-Romagna Region, focused on the integration of biomass and waste plastic gasification with high-temperature electrolysis.

As part of the program, Michele Denti, Cefla’s representative for Energy and Cogeneration, participated in the panel discussion on the industrial opportunities offered by solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) and their integration into industrial processes and biomass valorization.

His presentation provided the perspective of someone who works every day on energy and cogeneration solutions for the industrial sector: not only hydrogen production, but also the practical conditions necessary for these technologies to become reliable, efficient, and integrable into real-world facilities.

H2-Synergy explored a hybrid approach that combines the gasification of biomass and plastic waste—to produce syngas and biochar—with SOEC electrolysis for hydrogen production. This integration can generate economic benefits and improve the overall efficiency of the process, opening up new prospects for hydrogen as an energy carrier and for syngas derivatives.

For Cefla, participation in the project represents an opportunity to explore how emerging technologies can complement the experience gained in energy and cogeneration, helping to envision more sustainable industrial solutions geared toward the energy transition.

The day included thematic panels on gasification, reforming, and catalysis, solid oxide fuel cells, and biochar valorization, as well as a roundtable discussion on the transition from the project to an industrial plant. In the afternoon, participants also visited the demonstration area and laboratories at the University of Bologna’s CIRI FRAME, where some of the experimental activities planned as part of the project were carried out.