In the context of energy transition and the fight against climate change, island territories such as Réunion Island face a twofold challenge: a strong dependence on imported fossil fuels and increased vulnerability to environmental impacts. Decarbonising the transport sector, which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, is therefore a strategic priority for meeting climate targets and strengthening the territory’s energy autonomy.
Among the solutions being considered, the development of renewable alternative fuels, such as biohydrogen and biomethane, offers promising prospects. The valorisation of local organic waste (green waste, agricultural effluents, agro-industrial by-products) appears to be a relevant lever for producing energy while aligning with a circular economy logic. However, several scientific, technological and economic barriers still limit the deployment of these supply chains at the local level, notably the variability of resources, low biological yields and the lack of a structured hydrogen supply chain.
The H2RUN project – Biohydrogen production from green waste for the transport sector in Réunion Island – is part of this dynamic. It aims to explore and optimise innovative processes for producing biohydrogen and biomethane from local resources, combining dark fermentation, anaerobic digestion and hybrid approaches coupled with water electrolysis. The project draws on an interdisciplinary approach at the interface of biological engineering, environmental sciences and energy economics.
Funded under the ERDF 2021-2027 programme (Climate Energy), the H2RUN project has a budget of €799,743.68, co-financed by the European Union (85%) and the Région Réunion (15%). It is led by the ENERGY-Lab and PIMENT research units, in partnership with the CHEMBIOPRO research laboratory (UR), the BioWooEB research unit (CIRAD) and the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (Netherlands).
This project thus contributes to the structuring of a local alternative fuel supply chain, in response to the energy, environmental and territorial challenges specific to Réunion Island.
The H2RUN project aims to develop a complete value chain for the production of alternative fuels from organic waste, based on several specific objectives:
1. Characterisation of local resources
Identify and quantify the organic waste deposits that can be mobilised on the territory, and assess their hydrogen and methane production potential.
2. Development and optimisation of biological processes
Implement and improve dark fermentation processes for hydrogen production, coupled with anaerobic digestion for methane production, while optimising yields through pre-treatments and the use of biochar.
3. Scale-up and process integration
Study the transition from laboratory to larger-scale systems, as well as coupling with complementary technologies such as water electrolysis.
4. Feasibility assessment and end uses
Analyse the techno-economic and environmental viability of a local supply chain, particularly for applications in heavy mobility (passenger and freight transport).
The H2RUN project aims to produce concrete results that can be directly mobilised at the territorial level.
The main expected results are:
A better understanding of local resources: characterisation of organic waste deposits and their energy potential, enabling the steering of valorisation strategies.
Technological advances: optimisation of biohydrogen and biomethane production processes, improvement of yields and experimentation with innovative hybrid solutions.
An assessment of territorialised energy scenarios: analysis of the conditions for deploying an alternative fuel supply chain in Réunion Island, integrating the technical, economic and logistical constraints specific to the territory.
Scientific outcomes: production of scientific articles, participation in conferences and strengthening of the positioning of the laboratories involved in the field of bioenergies.
An environmental and socio-economic impact: contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, valorisation of local waste and support for the emergence of an energy circular economy.
Through these results, the H2RUN project contributes to building a more sustainable energy model, adapted to island specificities, and to the structuring of a hydrogen supply chain in Réunion Island.
Partenaires financiers
Le projet est financé par l’Union européenne via le FEDER et cofinancé par la Région Réunion, dans le cadre du programme 2021-2027 dédié à l’excellence en recherche et innovation dans le domaine Climat Énergie.
Academic partners
Le projet repose sur une collaboration entre acteurs académiques :
