This recognition highlights the technical quality, innovative character and educational value of a simulator based on digital twin technology, designed to bridge the gap between traditional training methods and the new skills required by the green hydrogen industry.

The digital twin developed allows professionals to explore every aspect of green hydrogen production, storage and distribution. Through a simulation platform that replicates the operation of a hydrogen plant, users can experience real-world scenarios, from operating complex systems to making decisions in testing environments.

According to INTERREG Europe, this tool is a pioneering solution that facilitates the training of both technical and non-technical professionals, while also serving as an awareness and support resource for industrial SMEs with potential to transition towards green hydrogen. The pilot project was made possible thanks to the coordinated work of all consortium partners, who jointly developed the requirements, milestones and expected outcomes that guided its implementation.

INTERREG highlights the simulator’s first results:

• More than 60 professionals have been trained in Spain and Portugal through two specialised courses.

• The simulator has been used during the Roadshow that has taken place in recent weeks in cities across Andalusia and Alentejo (Portugal), sharing experiences and raising awareness among citizens and companies about the role of green hydrogen as a key energy vector in the cross-border region.

• The integration of the simulator into future training programmes of several partners is planned.

These achievements reinforce the simulator’s role as a strategic tool for strengthening the green hydrogen value chain in the cross-border region.

INTERREG also highlights the simulator’s strong transfer potential, noting that its replicable design makes it an ideal tool for training centres, public administrations and companies interested in green hydrogen.

The Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs (FEDEME), the project leader, on behalf of the entire FUTURETECH_H2 consortium, would like to express special thanks to the Seville Chamber of Commerce, whose support through the European project Green Hydra was crucial in achieving this recognition.

Their support helped expand the impact of this good practice and position it within the European ecosystem of innovative initiatives related to the energy transition.

The FUTURETECH_H2 project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal Programme (POCTEP) 2021-2027 and will run until 31 March 2026.

The project has a total budget of €1,366,564.9 and is implemented by a consortium of six partners from the Alentejo region (Portugal) and Andalusia (Spain): CATEC (Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies), ADRAL, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, University of Évora, Fundación Nao Victoria and the Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs (FEDEME), acting as the lead entity.

The aim of the project is to develop the green hydrogen value chain in this cross-border area, promoting and disseminating, through several planned actions, the strengths and capabilities of this energy vector as an industry of the future.