Research Project · ERDF/JTF NRW
HyConnect
An ongoing research project to develop a digital platform that makes hydrogen infrastructure in heavy-duty transportation planable and economically viable.
Project Data
| Duration | January 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028 | |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Reference Number | EFRE-20801666 | |
| Funding Agency | State of North Rhine-Westphalia, using funds from the ERDF/JTF program in North Rhine-Westphalia |   |
| Project Organizer | Jülich Project Management (PtJ) |  |
| Your Contact | Philipp von Campenhausen | |
The EFRE-20801666 project is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia with funds from the EFRE/JTF program in North Rhine-Westphalia. The project is managed by Projektträger Jülich (PtJ).
The Project
As part of the “HyConnect” research project, MANSIO is collaborating with several partners to develop a digital platform that enables the efficient use of existing and future hydrogen infrastructure. The goal is to significantly reduce costs and increase the appeal of hydrogen applications. The platform provides for the reservation of refueling station capacity as well as complete payment processing, thereby creating transparency and planning certainty. These factors are considered crucial, especially for the market ramp-up of hydrogen technologies. The offering is designed to be scalable for the EU single market and to support the goal of establishing a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure.
Initial Situation
In road freight transport, hydrogen offers a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries and allows for faster refueling. However, this is offset by high costs, limited infrastructure, and planning uncertainties. For logistics companies, competitive prices are crucial, and the hydrogen supply must be seamlessly integrated into processes such as route planning. Currently, the limited number of refueling stations and low capacities often require time-consuming and costly detours. At the same time, the small number of hydrogen trucks leads to high prices at refueling stations. Efficient data exchange between IT systems could alleviate these problems, but is usually only possible with expensive, custom-built tools.
Approach to a Solution
First, the “HyConnect” team will develop a dynamic, legally compliant hydrogen pricing mechanism and subject it to empirical testing. To this end, the partners will examine price elasticity and the impact on fueling station selection, planning, and cost transparency. Furthermore, a universal data interface will be specified, implemented as a prototype, and subsequently evaluated. Building on this, the capacity management and reservation platform will be designed, with the aim of launching it into pilot operation during the course of the project. Finally, the platform will be evaluated for its suitability for everyday use.
Expected Result
The “HyConnect” research project addresses precisely these issues. The reservation and booking platform being developed as part of the project is designed to combine data on the hydrogen demand of truck fleet operators with information on hydrogen availability from refueling station operators. This is intended to enable precise planning, prevent supply bottlenecks, and increase the competitiveness of hydrogen relative to diesel. In the long term, the platform aims to increase the market share of hydrogen trucks and stimulate investment in infrastructure by minimizing risks for all stakeholders. To this end, the project partners are developing innovative solutions for hydrogen pricing and for an AI-based universal data interface.
Project Partners
