DUNKIRK, AT THE HEART OF DECARBONATION PROJECTS
23 European companies in the gas infrastructure sector including GRTgaz and Fluxys have developed the concept of a European hydrogen transport backbone.
Entitled the “European Hydrogen Backbone”, it is a dedicated hydrogen pipeline transport network largely based on repurposed existing gas infrastructure spanning 21 European countries.
Thanks to these infrastructures, a real integrated hydrogen market will eventually ensure competitive prices and a secure supply, thereby guaranteeing that converting to hydrogen remains relevant for industrialists.
In addition to the existing hydrogen networks, Dunkirk is a major entry point for gas imports and an interconnection point for electricity flowing in and out of Europe: two key assets that allow the Dunkirk area to position itself as a major player in hydrogen injection into gas networks and therefore for power to gas projects.
To date, 240 km of hydrogen distribution network currently connects Hauts-de-France to northern Europe.
Testimony:
“For France, the vision for the future hydrogen backbone encompasses regional dedicated hydrogen
networks to emerge by 2030 around industrial clusters in Dunkirk (…)” READ MORE.FLUXYS
AN INNOVATIVE TERRITORY AT THE SERVICE OF THE ENERGY TRANSITION
“Dunkirk, Creative Energy”, a project for transforming the Dunkirk territory which is certified as an “Innovative Territory” by the French State, has led to an envelope of 37.5 million euros being granted to accelerate the transition of the industrial and port platform.. Euraénergie is a territorial tool created to facilitate the
dynamic and support companies and projects selected as part of this context.
Euraénergie, an exceptional tool embodying the territory’s dynamic transformation.
Euraénergie supports innovative project leaders in two main areas of expertise: the energy transition and circular economy.
A Public Interest Group formed by the Greater Dunkirk Urban Council, the AGUR (Flandre-Dunkirk area urban planning and development agency), Dunkerque
Promotion, Pôlénergie and Ecopal, Euraénergie, provides an all-round range of services for public and private stakeholders with its Innovation Park housing
a business incubator, engineering schools, technology suites for R&D and prototyping as well as demo areas.
DUNKERQUE PROMOTION is the Dunkirk region’s economic development agency. A well-placed contact for investors, it provides prospecting services, promotion, advice and comprehensive support in the business development and set-up phase (strategic analysis, property, financial, energy and utilities solutions, HR and communications,
etc.).
THE AGUR (Flandre-Dunkirk area urban planning and
development agency) provides prospective studies and representation tools (development tools, the socalled “Toiles”) about multiple subjects that affect the territory’s organisation (flows, economic activities, energy, mobility, employment, training, etc.).
PÔLÉNERGIE, is a regional centre of excellence whose members represent the whole energy value chain. It studies and promotes the emergence of projects on different themes relating to energy efficiency, low carbon and hydrogen solutions for industry and transport, in collaboration with the Region, the Greater Dunkirk Urban Council, Euraénergie, Dunkirk-Port and industrialists.
ECOPAL, a pioneering industrial ecology association in France, has been facilitating a network of private and public partners to support the territory’s circular economy projects for 20 years now.
THE UNIVERSITY LITTORAL CÔTE D’OPALE is a privileged partner for industrialists because of the potential partnerships it offers with their laboratories and recognised lecturer-researchers:
TWO KEY FIGURES :
- 14: public labs and scientific tech platforms plus private laboratories.
- 300: lecturers-researchers.
To assist with the transformation through training people in the skills needed, the territory has encouraged the creation of energy engineering degrees in 2020, supported by:
- THE IMT NORD EUROPE ENGINEERING SCHOOL, apprenticeships.
- L’EILCO ENGINEERING SCHOOL, academic route.
The decarbonisation of French industry goes through DUNKIRK:
