Basque-led H2SKID initiative advances containerised AEM/PEM electrolysis for real-world industrial testing

Basque-led H2SKID initiative advances containerised AEM/PEM electrolysis for real-world industrial testing

(IN BRIEF) The H2SKID project has launched to develop a 1.25 MW portable AEM/PEM electrolyser that will supply green hydrogen directly to industrial users, addressing the current lack of pipeline infrastructure and enabling long-duration real-world testing. Led by SARRALLE with participation from Sener and a broad consortium of companies and research institutions, the containerised, modular system will be validated at ArcelorMittal Sestao and serve as both an industrial demonstration platform and a research tool for advancing electrolyser and compression technologies. Funded by the Basque Government and the ERDF, H2SKID is intended to become a flagship asset for the Basque Country’s hydrogen ecosystem and a catalyst for industrial decarbonisation.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 3-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The H2SKID initiative has formally commenced with the goal of developing a 1.25 MW portable experimental electrolyser based on AEM and PEM technologies, designed as a practical solution for delivering green hydrogen directly to industrial users. The project is coordinated by SARRALLE and includes the participation of Sener, alongside ten other leading companies spanning the hydrogen value chain, making it a landmark collaborative effort in the Basque Country aimed at accelerating industrial decarbonisation.

Drawing on its prior research and development experience in next-generation electrolysis, Sener will concentrate on the design of the electrolyser’s core components, contributing critical technical expertise to ensure the system’s performance, reliability, and scalability. This builds on the company’s established track record in advanced hydrogen technologies and strengthens its role in regional energy transition initiatives.

Renewable hydrogen has emerged as a strategic pillar for reducing industrial emissions in the Basque Country, particularly in sectors that rely on high-temperature processes such as steelmaking, glass, cement, paper, and petrochemicals. One of the most promising pathways for decarbonisation is the gradual replacement of natural gas with green hydrogen. However, progress has been constrained by the absence of adequate pipeline infrastructure linking industrial sites to centralised hydrogen production facilities, limiting the ability to conduct large-scale, real-world testing.

H2SKID has been conceived to overcome this barrier by designing and constructing a containerised, mobile electrolyser capable of supplying hydrogen directly to industrial plants. The system will enable extended testing campaigns under actual operating conditions, providing essential data to validate hydrogen-based industrial applications. In parallel, the project will advance research into key electrolyser technologies and auxiliary systems, reinforcing the development of a competitive and resilient hydrogen production ecosystem.

The electrolyser will be housed in two integrated container modules: one dedicated to hydrogen generation through electrolysis and the other to gas compression and storage. The platform is designed to be compact, modular, and plug-and-play, ensuring flexibility and ease of deployment. Its compatibility with both AEM and PEM technologies will allow it to serve as a versatile test bench for evaluating critical components of the electrolyser and compression systems.

Validation of the H2SKID solution will take place in a real industrial setting at ArcelorMittal Sestao, specifically within the ladle pre-heating burner area and/or tunnel furnace, ensuring that results are directly applicable to operational environments.

By the conclusion of the project, H2SKID is expected to become a flagship scientific and technological platform supporting the growth of the hydrogen sector in the Basque Country and accelerating industrial decarbonisation. The multi-year collaboration, running from 2025 to 2027, brings together Sarralle, ABC Compresores, ArcelorMittal Sestao, Erreka, Flubetech, Mugape, Sener, Team Group Engineering, Torraval, Tubos Reunidos Group, and Zigor, with additional support from ABC Tech, Tecnalia, Zigor’s R&D unit, and the BASQUE ENERGY Cluster.

The project is co-funded by the Basque Government’s Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability under the HAZITEK 2025 Programme and by the European Regional Development Fund for 2021–2027.

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SOURCE: SENER group