Redon Agglomération and the company H2X-Ecosystems are implementing an innovative territorial model at the confluence of sustainable mobility and hydrogen production. An energy which is an opportunity to rethink the economy and the organization of the territory with a zero emissions objective in 2050. Cross-interview on a project which is already being emulated.
In our Climate Energy Plan, we have set the long-term objective of being a zero-emission territory, explains Christophe Bidaud, general director of development at Redon Agglomération. In addition to energy savings in buildings, among our areas of work, mobility represents particular importance. Our territory of 70,000 inhabitants bringing together 31 municipalities located at the confluence of Nantes, Rennes and Vannes is described as sparsely dense (64 inhabitants/km2). Families here have one, two, even three cars. Furthermore, 60 school buses are used by 4,500 students every day in Redon, not counting all the other lines in the area. Finally, our nine garbage dumpsters are large consumers of energy with 70 to 100 l/100 km. Today, we are highly dependent on our energy, as we only produce 20% of it, with an increased dependence on fossil fuels for mobility needs. We therefore looked for a solution to locally produce energy for mobility. The area’s 20 wind turbines contribute to local production and will be able to power a new hydrogen ecosystem to store and redistribute energy, particularly for mobility. » The company H2X-Ecosystems offers a very innovative approach: rethinking the entire production and consumption in a territory in a short circuit, producing energy at the same time as the uses of this energy. An electrolyser should be able to produce 100 kg, then 150 kg of hydrogen per day using wind and solar electricity, a minimum for economic sustainability according to H2X. It takes 50 kW to produce 1 kg of hydrogen. The city will also develop the production of green electricity on its territory, in particular through photovoltaic roofs on public buildings and by also encouraging private companies to equip themselves. Importantly, H2X also plans to set up an electrolyzer manufacturing plant in the region.
Circular business model
Beyond production, H2X brings a completely new business model. “Instead of selling vehicles, we are going to sell a mobility service,” explains Stéphane Paul, its president. Our approach is to support the territory which remains the pilot of the project. » In fact, H2X-Ecosystems offers an ecosystem around hydrogen with carbon-free mobility and hydrogen production from local renewable energies. Carbon-free mobility is achieved in particular thanks to a solar/hydrogen hybrid car, but also through investment in hydrogen vehicles: coaches, buses or even garbage trucks.
Everything is managed by an operating company which will sell the hydrogen and mobility services. This company is open to local stakeholders: communities, energy unions, industrialists, artisan traders, but also citizens. It also includes the entire operating chain necessary for economic actors. “The governance of the project is very important for us,” explains Christophe Bidaud. H2X will take shares, but other industrialists in the region and us as a community (this is possible since the energy transition law) too, without forgetting the openness to the participation of our citizens. Some of these are already involved in wind farms. The objective is to keep the value production chain on the territory. » A monetization solution is also being considered.
New mobility approach
Several solar and hydrogen manufacturers have joined forces to develop a new business model for an economic transition in society. H2X is an assembler of these solutions. “We sell the elements, but the territory remains the pilot of the project. At the beginning, we start from technical solutions at our disposal or that we develop. The model therefore consists of offering a service and not selling a product, of creating a territorial society with the participation of private and public actors and citizens, and of managing vehicle fleets and the production and distribution of energy. As far as production is concerned, the potential is immense: manufacturers can equip their installation with panels and electrolysers and produce their energy. »H2X today supports around fifteen communities in projects adapted to resolve a territorial problem linked to the energy transition with hydrogen. “We must take into account the potential of the territory; so it’s a new adventure each time,” rejoices Stéphane Paul. The company previously carried out an in-depth survey of the territory to identify all the uses of sustainable mobility. Citizens, EHPADs, students: mobility demands are numerous and diverse, owning a car is expensive and no longer necessarily meets the needs of the population. However, H2X has in its offering a high-performance hydrogen vehicle, developed by the Bordeaux company Gazelle Tech. This 4-seater solar/hydrogen hybrid car weighs 600 kg (with a composite chassis) for an announced range of 500 to 800 km with 1 kg of hydrogen. Solar power provides additional autonomy of 30 to 40 km. It is recharged using a system of pre-filled capsules that simply insert.
Furthermore, this car can be directly assembled locally thanks to technology developed by Gazelle Tech. The interest of H2X is also to bring the entire value chain to the territory with the assembly and maintenance of cars. The idea is to offer these vehicles on subscription, for a journey cost which would today be around €0.50 to €0.80/km. “This cost, already lower than that of owning a car, should decrease significantly with the reduction in the cost of electrolysers, possible simply by achieving an economy of scale,” explains Stéphane Paul. Today we buy electricity from Enercoop, agreeing to pay more for green electricity. » A fleet of 50 vehicles will eventually be made available in the territory of the Redon agglomeration. The management of this is also planned (personnel and website) concomitantly with the production of hydrogen. “This service makes it possible to rethink the social life of a region, for example by allowing more people to stay at home. We have the opportunity, by rethinking energy, to reinvent a more united model and a circular economy, while retaining value in the territory. »
The Breton hydrogen axis
Other larger vehicles using hydrogen will also be implemented. “The city’s garbage bins, which are very consuming, will be replaced gradually,” says Christophe Bidaud, who expects a return on investment in ten years, due to the cost of fuel. Hydrogen trucks cost around 600,000 euros, compared to almost half for diesel. “Importantly, as general director of urban development, I had to be sure that our vehicles and the station could benefit from maintenance, because a skip can break down and must be repaired as quickly as possible! This is also expected, because we take into consideration the entire value chain, including training. We are taking advantage of this to develop our campus, already specialized in purchasing logistics and electronics, in this area of new energies.”
Objective: to become a center of excellence in the field
We also work with transport companies and logisticians from large industrial groups established in the region to ensure a transition of their fleets towards carbon-free models (small utility vehicles, handling equipment, coaches),” replies Stéphane Paul.
“State and regional aid will be essential to starting this hydrogen revolution, as it was for electric mobility. These are major investments for the climate, but which generate a new economic dynamic that creates value. Other projects are being developed in neighboring territories. We see a Breton hydrogen economic arc emerging between Saint-Malo, Rennes, Redon and Saint-Nazaire,” concludes Christophe Bidaud.
