VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner for companies and society, and one of the leading technical research organisations in Europe. VTT’s research areas focus on applied research and technology development, collaborating with the public and private sectors, working as a bridge in the research gap between universities and private companies.
VTT is the project coordinator of Sea4Volt, managing and following all aspects of the project to ensure its’ timely and effective implementation. VTT also carries out materials-based modelling, stack prototype testing, and techno-economic and environmental feasibility. As the project coordinator, VTT actively participates in project dissemination, exploitation, and communication.
Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden develops innovative powder metallurgical materials and technologies focusing on energy, mobility, and medical sectors. With an emphasis on hydrogen technology and additive manufacturing, it covers the full process chain – from research to industrial application – supported by an interdisciplinary team and accredited testing laboratory
Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden is leading WP3 on the development of suitable catalyst, PTLs and coatings. Based on our experience in sea water electrolysis, we aim to develop PGM-free cathode catalysts, study impurity effects on cell components through extensive testing, and provide critical support to partners in optimizing overall cell design and performance.
The CIDAUT Foundation (Foundation for Transport and Energy Research and Development), based in the Boecillo Technology Park (Valladolid, Spain), is a non-profit research center with over three decades of experience in applied R&D for energy, transport, and advanced materials. The foundation operates more than 23,000 m² of facilities equipped with laboratories and pilot plants, supported by around 200 researchers and engineers, and a strong network of technological spin-offs.
Within its Energy Department, CIDAUT places strong emphasis on hydrogen technologies, covering the entire value chain: production (electrolysis, reforming, biomass and thermochemical processes), storage and transport (high-pressure systems and hydrogen carriers such as methane, methanol, and ammonia), and end-use applications (fuel cells, hydrogen combustion systems, and integration into mobility and industrial processes). The foundation has extensive laboratory and pilot-scale facilities, including an electrolyzer, fuel cell test benches, hydrogen storage infrastructure, and advanced safety systems.
CIDAUT coordinates and participates in several national and European hydrogen projects. Notable examples include H2ENRY (development of disruptive hydrogen generation and storage technologies, including solid oxide electrolysis), AIHRE (a Spain–Portugal cooperation initiative to foster green hydrogen industry), and H2MetAmo (production of renewable hydrogen carriers such as methane and ammonia in modular plants).
In addition, the foundation is expanding its capabilities in biomass-to-hydrogen conversion in collaboration with Spanish National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Testing Centre (CNH2), and is actively involved in the defense sector, with projects such as MEDUSA, which focus on advancing next-generation fuel cell technologies for potential integration into air-independent propulsion systems like those of the Spanish Navy’s S-80 submarines.
CIDAUT focuses on the design, optimization, and manufacturing of bipolar plates and single-cell design architecture for a laboratory-scale anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer capable of processing seawater directly. This includes defining the flow field geometry, evaluating materials and coatings for corrosion resistance, and iteratively improving the single-cell design through simulations and experimental validation.
In addition, CIDAUT leads Work Package 8, overseeing the techno-economic and life-cycle assessment of the full electrolyzer stack, evaluating environmental impacts, process efficiency, and opportunities for brine valorization.
At Aalto University, science and art meet technology and business as high-quality research, art, education and entrepreneurship are promoted hand in hand. In Finland, Aalto is the largest engineering university, and the highest ranked university (QS World University Rankings 2024). Aalto has over 11000 students and 4000 employees of whom some 400 are professors. Our main campus is located in Espoo, capital area of Finland.
Aalto is leading WP5 which investigates poisoning and ageing of electrodes. We aim to develop cathode catalysts which can reliably generate hydrogen in harsh seawater environment. Our synthesis and characterization efforts are complemented by state-of-the-art atomistic modeling techniques based on machine learning and quantum mechanics, to gain fundamental insight on the functioning of the novel electrocatalyst, particularly interplay between the nanoporous protective shell and species in the electrolyte.
Gdańsk Tech is a leading Polish technical university situated in northern Poland, specializing in engineering, electronics, telecommunications, informatics, and advanced materials. Recognized nationally and internationally, it actively supports regional innovation through strong collaboration with industry and research institutions. Gdańsk Tech significantly contributes to Poland’s technological development, particularly in energy technologies, hydrogen systems, sustainable infrastructure, digital innovation, and maritime engineering.
Gdańsk Tech is leader of WP4 for upscaling of the experimental electrodes for hydrogen and oxygen evolution. Application of novel electrodes in commercial stacks platforms of the project partners will lead to improved performance surpassing current state of theart. Gdańsk Tech will be also active in WP3 in developing of impurity tolerant OER electrode based on facile electrodeposition and studies of degradation of electrodes in impurities containing electrolytes, including experimental as well as modelling activities.
Stargate Hydrogen was founded to make green hydrogen affordable for hard-to-decarbonise industries like steel and fertilisers. Stargate Hydrogen aims to improve electrolyser efficiency using novel ceramic catalysts and patented design, and is scaling its production capacity to serve customers, such as Fortum, Utilitas, ABB, and others across Europe, Türkiye and India.
Stargate will lead the design and validation of a short-stack prototype to support the development of a novel low-temperature AEM electrolyser concept. This includes development and assessment a baseline stack, testing safe, durable operating conditions using selected seawater feedstocks to identify and define the most ideal concept.
HYDROLITE Ltd. is a start-up company focusing on novel hydrogen technologies for energy storage and conversion based on its proprietary, world-leading alkaline exchange membrane (AEM) electrode and
stack technology. Featuring high-efficiency power-to-hydrogen (Electrolyzer) and hydrogen-to-power (Fuel Cell) devices, HYDROLITE’s disruptive AEM technology reduces costs and delivers high performance
and versatility.
HYDROLITE main role will be within WP6, leading the design and validation of single cell components with different sea water feeds and concentrations. HYDROLITE will also contribute to WP3-WP8,
focusing on MEA & membrane development. HYDROLITE will design, assemble and conduct experiments in 60cm2 cell configuration as a baseline for 100cm2 stack.
HYDROLITE main role will be within WP6, leading the design and validation of single cell components with different sea water feeds and concentrations. HYDROLITE will also contribute to WP3-WP8,
focusing on MEA & membrane development. HYDROLITE will design, assemble and conduct experiments in 60cm2 cell configuration as a baseline for 100cm2 stack.
F6S is the Wor Package leader for communication, dissemination and exploitation activities
