Eight young talents from Morocco and Lebanon, winners of the first MED-GEM Network’s Green Hydrogen Hackathon, are experiencing an exciting week at the Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). Between hands-on lab work and multicultural exchanges, these ambassadors of green hydrogen are embarking on a unique scientific and human adventure in the heart of Europe.

The eight winners – presenting the innovative projects “GaFurNu” for Morocco and “Hydrogen Baladi” for Lebanon – were warmly welcomed by Patrick and Emanuel, researchers and mentors at FAU. The Moroccan team, comprising Yassir Debbah, Rabab El Attar, Bouchra Zoubaa, Sofiane Chait and Houda Ouqacem, impressed the hackathon jury with their project “GaFurNu,” which offers innovative green hydrogen solutions for the energy industry. The Lebanese team, Rayan Al Sarih and Omar Allahham, stood out with their project “Hydrogen Baladi,” aiming to revolutionize Lebanon’s industrial heating market by leveraging green hydrogen and waste heat recovery.

Monday Dec. 9th 2024 began with a guided tour of the South Campus, followed by safety instructions for laboratory work. The students then delved into advanced techniques such as catalyst synthesis and operating continuous reactors, under the guidance of FAU PhD researchers. The winners also attended a course on renewable thermal power plants, led by Professor Wensing, an expert in energy engineering. These sessions allowed the young researchers to deepen their understanding of key technologies shaping the future. Combining theory with practice, the day reinforced their grasp of the scientific and industrial challenges of the energy transition, motivating them to further pursue their ambitions in the green hydrogen sector. The winners will continue their week with lab visits, inspiring lectures, and cultural outings around the Erlangen-Nuremberg region.