Growing global need for sustainable and responsible energy management and the use of renewable energy sources has led to rapid growth in the development and application of hydrogen technology. Estonia has good prerequisites for this, as there is long-term world-class research experience and growing entrepreneurship both in the form of fundamental technology developers-producers and in the field of specific applied pilot projects.

The aim of the RUK’s hydrogen technology unit is to contribute to the creation and maintenance of a hydrogen technology ecosystem, thereby supporting companies operating in Estonia in creating internationally competitive services, products, and technologies from idea to industrial prototype.

The goals also include increasing exports by increasing the added value created in companies and valorizing domestic renewable energy resources at a higher level than before, strengthening energy security and security of supply.

In cooperation with universities, AS Metrosert plans to offer internship opportunities and scholarships to the best graduate students, thereby contributing to the field’s future growth, raising the quality of Estonian graduate education, and increasing the number of research and development workers in companies.

In the first development phase (2024-2029) a semi-industrial complex testing capability with a conditional total capacity (hydrogen production and/or use) of up to 0.5 MW and associated testing and analysis equipment will be created. This allows testing of different hydrogen technologies (electrolyzers and fuel cells), testing components and materials, and performing performance tests of systems and devices. The research laboratory allows for process and technology analytics. The centre’s activities mainly focus on TRL levels 5-7, also supporting some studies at levels 3-4. The aim is to avoid duplicating existing infrastructure in Estonia and to cooperate closely with other research and development institutions.

Center plans to offers a faster and more flexible service compared to overloaded laboratories elsewhere in Europe, complex engineering services throughout the development process, and local support for Estonian companies, reducing the need for foreign services.

In addition to RUK’s hydrogen technology field services, clients can receive high-level technology consulting and participate in various applied research and international research and development projects. The state-of-the-art infrastructure enables the further development and scaling of innovative technology to increase the contribution of science to the economy.

Priit Ilomets
Head of Hydrogen Technologies Unit
+372 5853 3939
priit.ilomets@metrosert.ee