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The HELION team exhibited at SMM 2024 in Hamburg last week alongside companies from industrial and maritime sectors, showcasing French expertise within the France Pavillon. This major event, which attracted over 40,000 participants, served as a true showcase for our cutting-edge technology. Our FC-RackTM Marine system, designed to decarbonize shipping and ports, was well received by maritime industry players. 

This was a first for our company specialized in the manufacturing of high-power fuel cells. The event dedicated to innovative maritime technologies, which took place from June 18 to 20, 2024 in Amsterdam, was a great success. We had the opportunity to present our FC-RackTM Marine system, a solution designed to help decarbonize the maritime industry.

Helion is continuing its expansion by opening a new office dedicated to its team in charge of developing its high-power stationary systems. The Genhy platform will provide the team with a workspace tailored to their needs and allow them to pursue their objectives in the best conditions. The development of high-power stationary systems is an ambitious project for us, as we aim to offer clean and sustainable energy solutions to our customers. These systems which use hydrogen as an energy carrier, can generate power without greenhouse gas emissions and are the best option for replacing traditional diesel generators. The opening of this new office demonstrates HELION’s commitment to a zero-emission future and our ambition to become a major player in the field of hydrogen. Thus, we are continuing our efforts in research and development to offer ever more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.

The Hydromer dredger made its entry into the port of Sète on March 5th after leaving the Piriou shipyards in Concarneau a week earlier. It will be commissioned in March to maintain the depths of the three regional ports of Occitanie: Sète-Frontignan, Port-La-Nouvelle, and Grau du Roi. This unique vessel, which will operate partly on hydrogen, embodies the hope for a decarbonized maritime world. Thanks to this diesel/hydrogen hybrid technology, the dredger is expected to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions at sea by 20% and achieve zero emissions when at port or moored. It is a source of great pride for our teams, who are diligently working on the production of the 200 kW hydrogen fuel cell. Therefore, it is not surprising that they were mobilized from the early hours of the day to welcome the Hydromer dredger to Sète this Tuesday. They were alongside our partners and clients (La Région Occitanie, Piriou, LMG MArin, Barillec, Bureau Veritas...) who played an essential role in the realization of this ambitious project.

HELION Hydrogen Power distinguished itself this year at HYVOLUTION 2024, the must-attend event dedicated to hydrogen and fuel cells. This new edition brilliantly brought together over 570 exhibitors, setting a participation record. During the event, our team enthusiastically welcomed over 300 visitors to our booth, providing a privileged platform for discussing the latest technological advancements and hydrogen solutions with our partners and clients. HYVOLUTION 2024 was an exceptional opportunity for HELION to showcase our latest innovations and highlight our commitment to sustainable mobility and decarbonization. We are proud to have participated in this large-scale event, which reflects the growing prominence of hydrogen in the global energy landscape. We warmly thank all those who visited our booth and contributed to the success of our participation at HYVOLUTION 2024. We look forward to continuing our fruitful collaborations and further advancing mobility, industries, and services towards a more sustainable future together.

HELION presents its marine fuel cell for decarbonized navigation at EUROMARITIME 2024. HELION's participation in EUROMARITIME 2024 was marked by a dynamic presentation of its projects aimed at promoting decarbonized navigation. At the heart of this essential event, we had the opportunity to showcase our flagship solution: the FC-Rack TM Marine, a fuel cell designed specifically for the maritime sector. One of the highlights of our participation was our involvement in the roundtable on zero-emission vessels, alongside major players in the maritime industry such as CMA CGM, MAURIC, and NAVALU shipbuilding. Moderated by Timothée Moulinier from GICAN, this session underscored the collective commitment to sustainable solutions in this sector. At our booth, located in the Mediterranean Sea Pole pavilion, there were numerous and fruitful exchanges with, among others, foreign delegations. This biennial meeting allowed us to strengthen our shared conviction in responsible and sustainable navigation, where hydrogen plays a central role. We look forward to continuing this momentum and actively contributing to the ecological transformation of the maritime domain.

HELION was proud to participate in the 2023 edition of RIVERDATING, a major event for actors in river transport and multimodal transport. Held in Lille and organized by VNF, the French natural and man-made waterways network, this event brought together key players in the industry to discuss challenges and opportunities in the field of waterway transport. As an innovative energy company, HELION seized this opportunity to present its decarbonized propulsion solution: the marine fuel cell. Our team had the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, share our latest technological advancements, and explore new collaboration opportunities to facilitate the transition to more sustainable transportation systems. We look forward to continuing this momentum and playing an active role in the future of sustainable river transport.    

On Friday, November 24, we had the honor of welcoming the Minister Delegate for Industry, Roland Lescure, to our high-power fuel cell manufacturing site. His presence underscores the crucial role of hydrogen in the national energy strategy, recognizing HELION as a key player in the French hydrogen sector. During his visit, Minister Lescure was able to closely observe our capacity for innovation, our expertise, and the commitment of our employees to sustainable solutions for the future of energy and mobility. Innovation in the hydrogen sector is essential for shaping France's energy future. We are proud to contribute to this transition and to leverage our expertise and commitment in support of French industrial sovereignty.      

HELION Hydrogen Power, one of the main French fuel cell manufacturers, wins a new contract in the maritime sector The company H2Tec-BV will be responsible for the integration of HELION’s fuel cell onboard the “FORTUNA CRANE”, an Offshore Support Vessel owned by the German shipowner OS Energy The 50 kW fuel cell will be fueled with HydroSil, a safe and green hydrogen liquid carrier developed by consortium leader HSL Technologies to save considerable space onboard the vessel Photo copyright: OS Energy

This ultra-modern and automated plant will have an unprecedented annual production capacity of 30 MW in France. The megafactory will enable the French fuel cell manufacturer to double its industrial surface area to reach 2200m². The 4.0 factory will be based on digital and intelligent technologies to enhance production standardization and reliability.

The 100% carbon-free renewable energy data center of the third-place “LaScierie” in Avignon (France) now operates on hydrogen, becoming the first urban green hydrogen data center in the world

52 candidates from more than fifteen countries applied for the Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Transportation organized by the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance. Among them, six selected finalists presented their solutions on November 21, 2022 during the Monaco Hydrogen Forum, an event intended to gather key stakeholders in the hydrogen sector to promote innovations in Mobility and especially the maritime sector. It is therefore alongside 5 other finalists that Vincent MAHEO, President of HELION Hydrogen Power, presented the FC-Rack TM Marine, our zero-emission high-power hydrogen fuel cell enabling to decarbonize the entire port and marine ecosystem.    

HELION Hydrogen Power participated in COP 27 in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt in November. In collaboration with the Hydrogen task force H40 from MEDEF, we had the opportunity to discuss with the Swedish, Quebecois, Brazilian, Saudi and Egyptian delegations. It was interesting to see that each country has its own hydrogen strategy and development plan. We could also visit Fertiglobe's green ammonia manufacturing plant in Cairo. We are delighted to have contributed to the debates on climate change and promoted sustainable mobility at the top of this major international conference.    

The FC-Rack TM, HELION’s standard high-power fuel cell system, has a new look! In a process of continuous improvement, the new FC-Rack TM, fully designed for high power markets is now more compact, more efficient and more robust. With its refined design in polar white, its graphic and modern lines and its “server rack” look, HELION offers a product at the cutting edge, adapted to the environmental and architectural constraints of cities. Thanks to the FC-Rack TM, HELION is particularly targeting applications such as data centers, remote sites and telecommunications.

Only few weeks after the announcement of the AIP issued by Bureau Veritas, HELION gets a second approval for its marine fuel cell, the FC-Rack™. The RINA certification body which is renowned in the maritime sector, promotes a green approach to this industry with a strong commitment to energy saving, emissions reductions and optimization of fuel consumption. This new AIP demonstrates the confidence put by certification companies in the technological maturity of HELION’s fuel cell, which now becomes one of the only manufacturers to obtain this double approval. HELION, with its experience of more than 20 years in manufacturing fuel cells, is also one of the first players in the hydrogen sector to have tested its technology in marine and submarine applications. The final stage of certification, which should take place in the coming months, will make possible to launch the manufacture of the first series of FC-Rack TM Marine, which will be used to propel the world’s first hybrid hydrogen dredger, ordered by the Occitanie Region to the shipyard PIRIOU.

BUREAU VERITAS delivers Approval in Principle to HELION fuel cell system, taking another step towards the certification of its marine fuel cell, the FC-RACK(TM). The work carried out has enabled the Alstom subsidiary's 6th generation of hydrogen fuel cells to comply with Bureau Veritas rules that correspond to the use of fuel cells on board ships. The industrialisation of HELION’s fuel cell will enable marine players to meet their net zero goals and decarbonize the maritime sector. The fuel cell “marinization” is ensured thanks to a double envelope enclosure that enables the system to be perfectly sealed in a saline environment. In addition, HELION's new FC-RACK™ Marine incorporates a thermal management system, dedicated on-board control system, and a hydrogen safety system that enables the FC-RACK™ Marine to be installed inside or on the deck of the vessel. Finally, its vertical architecture facilitates ease-of-access during maintenance operations.

This initiative, launched by the Hydrogen task force of MEDEF International and France Hydrogène at the end of March 2022, is the first French index of hydrogen start-ups and small caps. Supported by John Cockerill, GL events and Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, the H40 Index aims to bring together 40 French hydrogen start-ups and small caps wishing to develop on foreign markets, and to provide them with more visibility, access facility to the Task Force network and a series of dedicated actions. HELION Hydrogen Power is one of the first 7 companies to join this program. This support reinforces our international deployment strategy.

We will be present at HYVOLUTION 2022 on 11th and 12th May at Paris Event Center. Do not hesitate to visit our booth H37.  To obtain your visitor badge : Home - HyVolution 2022 (hyvolution-event.com)  

HELION Hydrogen Power will supply its fuel cell to the shipbuilder PIRIOU to equip the future hybrid hydrogen dredger ship of the Occitanie Region, a world premiere HELION Hydrogen Power, and the shipbuilder Piriou signed a contract in Sète (Hérault) to integrate a fuel cell system into the future hybrid hydrogen dredger ship ordered by the Region. As part of the renewal of its fleet of vessels and in order to continue to reduce the environmental impact of dredging activities, the Region has decided to acquire a hybrid hydrogen dredger ship, named HyDrOMer, in 2021. The only one of its kind in the world, it will be used to maintain the depths of the three regional ports. The Piriou Group, which won the tender from the Occitanie Region in June 2021, is in charge of building this vessel designed in partnerships with the French naval architecture office LMG Marin. This project is strategic for the shipyard, which confirms its position as a leader in non-carbon propulsion vessels. HELION Hydrogen Power will supply its hydrogen fuel cell, FC-Rack TM, a modular, containerised brick designed specifically for high power and marine applications. This 200 kW hydrogen generator, integrated in a 15-foot container, will be housed on the deck of the ship, next to the gas storage required to operate the fuel cell.   This hybrid engine will eliminate all emissions from the ship when it is at berth, offering the possibility of switching off the diesel engines while continuing to support daily activities on board for the crew. It will also provide part of the energy needed to operate the vessel at sea, during dredging and beach nourishment operations. Photo credit:  ©PIRIOU shipyard - HyDrOMer, Drague hybride à hydrogène de la Région Occitanie  

Almost €6 million invested in a 100% « made in France » fuel cell production unit Alstom's subsidiary, Helion Hydrogen Power, positions itself as a strategic French player in the hydrogen sector Alstom's hydrogen strategy is part of its ambition to be the leader in green and smart mobility worldwide.   10 December 2021 – On 10 December 2021, Alstom inaugurated its new hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing platform on the site of its subsidiary Helion Hydrogen Power, in Aix-en-Provence, in the presence of Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Deputy President of Régions de France, and Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom France. « Our subsidiary Helion Hydrogen Power is an innovation start-up with comprehensive expertise in hydrogen technology, from design to industrialization and manufacturing, both of the core cells and of complete subsystems. It complements our know-how in hydrogen trains and enables us to offer competitive solutions to our customers. With this fifth location in the South of France, four of which being in the Aix-Marseille Provence metropolitan area, Alstom confirms its presence and its contribution to the economic and social dynamism of the region. A new building based in Aix-en-Provence will bring together by 2023 all of Alstom's R&D, engineering and production activities in the metropolitan area, currently based in Aix-en-Provence (on 2 sites) and Vitrolles », explained Jean-Baptiste EYMEOUD, President of Alstom France. « As early as 2017, with our Regional Climate Plan "Une COP d'avance", we identified the development of renewable energies as a priority to make Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur a carbon-neutral territory by 2050. We have made a concrete commitment to the development of hydrogen, which is a real environmental and industrial asset for the South region. Thanks to our Regional Hydrogen Plan, the actors of this sector have been able to benefit from nearly 2 million euros, and the support of our Regional Interest Operations "Energies of Tomorrow", "Economy of the Sea" and "Industries of the Future". Finally, as part of our Climate Plan 2 "Keeping our COP ahead", we have decided to strengthen this support through new actions for the coming years, » declared Renaud MUSELIER, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Deputy President of Régions de France.   6 million invested in a 100% Made in France fuel cell production unit The industrial platform for the manufacture of hydrogen fuel cells in Aix-en-Provence was created thanks to a significant investment plan since the beginning of Helion Hydrogen Power (in 2001). Nearly 6 million euros have been injected to increase production capacity tenfold, while reducing the associated manufacturing costs. The Alstom subsidiary is thus able to meet the growing demand for high-powered fuel cells, both in France and abroad.Helion Hydrogen Power can produce up to 4 fuel cell stacks and 1 fuel cell subsystem (FC Rack) per day.   One of the first 100% French fuel cell manufacturing platforms A new production unit was set up at the beginning of 2021 to standardise and automate the manufacture of stacks, to integrate and assemble them in order to produce FC Rack fuel cell systems covering a wide range of power ratings (from 100 kW to over 2 MW).This new production line, which is partly robotised, is equipped with the latest technological advances and ensures fast, reliable and reproducible assembly of the stacks.All the components that make up the FC Rack are assembled in a 200 m2 building, bringing the total area of the production line to 1,200 m2.With this new industrial platform, Helion Hydrogen Power is positioning itself as a strategic French player in the hydrogen sector. It is one of the leaders of a sector that is preparing to meet the strategic challenges of sustainable development and the reindustrialisation of the region. The Alstom subsidiary aims to increase its workforce to 80 people by 2030.   Production based on a unique and modular product, adapted to various applications Helion Hydrogen Power now has the capacity to manufacture its own battery cores at its Aix-en-Provence site. « By manufacturing our own cores, we are in a strong position in an increasingly competitive sector », explains Vincent Mahéo, President, Helion Hydrogen Power. The company has also developed a battery subsystem based on a simplified and modular architecture that can be reproduced in series. This standardised brick, called FC Rack, is composed of 4 stacks and can deliver an electrical power ranging from 100 to 200 kW. This flexible system, covering a wide range of power, can power various heavy mobility and stationary applications, more specifically : Heavy mobility: rail, sea, river, construction and mining equipment Genset: temporary power supply for specific events and construction sites, power supply for refrigerated containers, shore power supply for ships, power supply for auxiliaries for ships, etc. Emergency power supply for industrial sites, telecoms and data centres.

April 1, 2021 - Alstom pursues its strategy of sustainable development and innovation with the acquisition of Helion Hydrogen Power. This company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AREVA Energies Renouvelables, is a nugget of innovation, specializing in high-power fuel cells, thus complementing Alstom’s know-how in hydrogen technology. With this acquisition, Alstom, which is a pioneer in the use of hydrogen in the rail sector, enriches its portfolio of innovative and competitive solutions and continues to implement its Alstom in Motion strategic plan. It is also strengthening its technological foothold in France and its geographic foothold in the Southern Region, in addition to its current sites in Aix-en-Provence and Vitrolles. “This acquisition represents a very good development prospect for Helion Hydrogen Power and its employees. Alstom will therefore strive to develop the full potential of the innovative technology and know-how of this nugget. This purchase is part of the Alstom group’s strategy to extend and complete its expertise in sustainable and smart mobility, ”said Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, Chairman of Alstom France. Helion Hydrogen Power employs nearly 30 experienced and multidisciplinary employees at its Aix-en-Provence site. The company covers the entire high power fuel cell value chain: design, development, manufacture, engineering support, customer training. It is now mainly focused on the energy and transport markets, in France and internationally. Helion Hydrogen Power has participated in more than 100 projects and around 30 of its solutions are in operation around the world. Following the completion of the transaction, which took place on April 1, 2021, the Company, renamed ALSTOM Hydrogen S.A.S., becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alstom. In addition, Alstom remains committed to its current suppliers to ensure the smooth running of current offers and projects.

HELION Hydrogen Power has been selected by CMA CGM, a worldwide leading company in maritime transport and logistics, to test its fuelcells on refrigerated maritime containers.    

HELION Hydrogen Power and the University of Corsica Pasquale-Paoli recently renewed their commitment to ongoing cooperation by launching a new development stage on MYRTE platform. MYRTE 2020 project will unable to test new applications, in particular hydrogen mobility and will strengthen the existing electrical capacity of the platform with the addition of a new Hydrogen/ Air fuelcell "FC Rack TM", the latest innovation from HELION .

HELION Hydrogen Power participates to Riverdating 2019. An opportunity to suggest its fuel cells to inland waterway transport players in Europe. About fifty business meetings are scheduled.

HELION Hydrogen Power will work with the shipowner L’Equipage and the engineering office Orion Naval Solutions to integrate a fuel cell module in a river barge as carbon-free engine solution.

Capitalizing on 20 years of experience and a recognized expertise in the field of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell, HELION Hydrogen Power becomes the brand name of AREVA Energy Storage. With this new brand, the French historical manufacturer of low and high-power fuel cell core technology (stack) and integrated systems strengthen its marketing strategy around new products dedicated to stationary applications (Fuel Cell Gensets, Backup, hydrogen batteries) and heavy mobility (rail, maritime and  inland shipping). HELION not only supervises the integration of complex hydrogen solutions but also provides  project management services. This change of brand is fully in line with the management's wish to accelerate the industrial evolution of the company. Initiated at the end of last year, the company's industrialization plan will soon be realized by the commissioning, by the end of 2019, of a modern production unit dedicated to an automated stack assembly line. This powerful industrial tool will produce the equivalent of 500 stacks / year in 2022 and will contribute to divide production costs by three.

Come and met us at Solar & Energy Boat Challenge in Monaco where our partners Hydrogadz are competiting with their boat equipped with our fuel cell. After several months of work and commitment, these students from the Engineering School ENSAM Aix-en-Provence, are ready to compete with this innovative technology of naval propulsion. Free entry Address : Yacht club de Monaco : Quai Louis II, 98000 Monaco

AREVA Energy Storage manufactures fuel cells adaptable to heavy mobility such as ships and trains. Article: Europe Parlementaire n°37 – Hiver 2018-19

AREVA Energy Storage, key player of the French Hydrogen Energy industry, has just revealed its new strategical action plan, its technical sales goals and the ways to make it happen

AREVA Energy Storage will expose at the Hydrogen Day of Territories at Toulouse (France), on 26th and 27th September, and will introduce its last 5 kW Greenergy Box TM dedicated to smart houses and smart grids.