• Javier Herrador, director of Navantia Seanergies, replaces Tomás Malango, director of Renewable Fuels and Circular Economy at Repsol, who has been recognized as honorary president.  

• Maribel Rodríguez, Repsol's Hydrogen Director, has been appointed as the association's new vice president 

• The assembly was hosted by Exolum and provided an opportunity to share the progress of projects and industrial initiatives in the Spanish renewable hydrogen value chain. 

• The new generation of i6S Efficient H2 FCEV coaches developed by Irizar was also presented, and ALSA will test them in real-world operations. 

Madrid -- The Spanish Hydrogen Network (SHYNE) has announced the election of Javier Herrador, director of Navantia Seanergies, as its new president. SHYNE comprises the major players in Spain's renewable hydrogen ecosystem. Herrador, previously the association's vice president, succeeds Tomás Malango, director of Renewable Fuels and Circular Economy at Repsol, who had held the position since SHYNE's founding in April 2014. Malango has been named honorary president in recognition of his role as the association's founder and inspiration. During the meeting, the vice presidency was also renewed, with Maribel Rodríguez, director of Hydrogen at Repsol, succeeding Javier Herrador.  

“I assume the presidency of SHYNE with the aim of further consolidating a solid and collaborative industrial ecosystem that will accelerate the deployment of renewable hydrogen in Spain. The energy transformation requires cooperation between companies, technological innovation, and a shared long-term vision to promote renewable hydrogen projects capable of strengthening the competitiveness and decarbonization of our economy, while also contributing to consolidating European strategic energy autonomy.” has pointed out Javier Herrador, president of SHYNE. “I want to thank Tomás Malango for his dedication during his time as president. We will continue working in the same direction to strengthen SHYNE’s position as a national and European benchmark.” 

The SHYNE assembly was held at Exolum's facilities in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid), home to its hydrogen pilot plant. Exolum is one of the association's nine founding members. In addition to renewing the governing bodies, the meeting highlighted the progress of industrial projects and initiatives aimed at promoting the deployment of renewable hydrogen in Spain, thus continuing the collaborative work the association has been developing for over two years.  

Ignacio Casajús, Senior Vice President Global Energy Logistics of Exolum, The host of this Assembly of the association emphasized the importance of the association as a catalyst for solutions for the entire value chain. “With this new Assembly, SHYNE continues to strengthen its role as a multi-sector collaboration platform that integrates the different links in the renewable hydrogen value chain, promoting strategic projects that contribute to the decarbonization of industry and transport, as well as to strengthening Spain's energy competitiveness.”  

Alsa, together with Irizar, presents the new generation of i6S Efficient H2 FCEV, the first zero-emission H2 coach in Europe. 

The event also served as the stage for Alsa and Irizar to unveil the new generation i6S Efficient H2 FCEV coach, the first zero-emission H2 vehicle in its category in Europe. This vehicle charts a new course for passenger road transport and advances the future of mobility: sustainable, intelligent, connected, and multi-technology. The new model will begin commercial operation with Alsa, the developer of SHYNE. As part of the presentation, the bus underwent hydrogen refueling at the Exolum pilot plant. 

“At Alsa, we are always pioneers in promoting new, sustainable, and technologically viable mobility solutions that allow us to effectively advance the decarbonization of transport. Our collaboration with Irizar on this project demonstrates that renewable hydrogen can play a key role in the future of zero-emission medium- and long-distance mobility.”, Indian Miguel Ángel Alonso, Director of Fleet and International Maintenance at Alsa. 

The vehicle developed by Irizar, which will be validated in real-world operation with ALSA, SHYNE's partner in the project, represents one of the most advanced projects in heavy-duty mobility powered by renewable hydrogen in Europe. Last year, it successfully completed a 2,500-kilometer journey between Ormaiztegi (Gipuzkoa, Spain) and Briançon, in the French Alps, becoming the hydrogen-powered coach that has covered the greatest distance to date on the continent.  

The new coach incorporates a 190 kW fuel cell and a 380 kW electric propulsion system designed for medium- and long-distance operations, enabling refueling times of around 10 minutes, a range exceeding 1,000 km, and maintaining performance and commercial attributes equivalent to those of conventional diesel vehicles. This project reflects the potential of hydrogen as a strategic solution to accelerate the decarbonization of heavy road transport and advance towards zero-emission mobility. 

“I join in thanking Tomás Malango for his work over the last two years; it is an honor to have him as honorary president of the association,”, highlighted Javier Arboleda, CEO of SHYNE. “Initiatives such as those presented today by Exolum, Alsa and Irizar reflect the potential of the SHYNE ecosystem to turn innovation into concrete projects that contribute to an efficient and sustainable energy transition” 

Source:  Fuel Cells Works