Deadline: November 06, 2025
The European Space Agency (ESA) invites companies to participate in a feasibility study exploring innovative uses of space technology to advance green hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.
Focus Areas: Energy, Transportation, Maritime, Smart cities.
This opportunity focuses on leveraging satellite communication (SatCom), satellite Earth observation (SatEO), and satellite navigation (SatNav) to support green hydrogen production, storage, and distribution. The aim is to evaluate practical applications of green hydrogen across multiple sectors while addressing technical challenges, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering a resilient hydrogen economy that contributes to net-zero carbon goals by 2050.
Proposals are encouraged to assess the feasibility of satellite-based solutions in supporting hydrogen technology, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The study should involve collaboration with user communities in relevant sectors, aiming to develop a proof of concept (PoC) and outline potential pathways for further application development. Successful bidders may have the opportunity to work closely with Energy Task Force members such as EPRI, DENA, AREG, and WWF Germany to support their proposed service.
Space technology provides numerous practical use cases for green hydrogen development. Satellites can analyze infrastructure and accessibility, mapping energy grids, transportation networks, and ports to determine optimal locations for hydrogen facilities. They also support solar and wind resource assessment to identify regions with high renewable energy potential. Offshore hydrogen production sites can be selected by analyzing wind resources, ocean currents, and seabed topography. High-resolution imagery and topographical maps assist in land use planning and hazard mitigation. Satellites also enable emissions monitoring, environmental compliance, and on-demand maintenance assessments.
The value of space technology in this context is significant. Satellite communication ensures reliable connectivity in remote areas, enabling real-time monitoring and management of hydrogen production and refueling operations. Earth observation data identifies optimal production sites, monitors environmental impact, and supports sustainable expansion. Satellite navigation aids in safe transportation, route optimization, and regulatory compliance, especially in urban areas.
ESA seeks promising business ideas that demonstrate attractive market opportunities, identified customer needs, commercially viable service concepts, technically feasible solutions, and clear added value from space data or technology. Motivated teams with business, technical, and financial expertise are encouraged to apply.
The funding offered includes zero-equity support, co-funding 80% of acceptable costs up to €200,000 per study, technical and commercial guidance, access to ESA’s network and partners, and the credibility of the ESA brand. Companies based in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are eligible to apply, and teams can include non-European entities whose contribution will not be funded by ESA.
Interested companies should register on ESA-STAR, download official tender documents, obtain Letters of Authorisation from their National Delegations, and submit proposals by the closing date.
For more information, visit ESA.
