FEN Research GmbH

Name

FEN Research GmbH

Legal name

FEN Research GmbH

Website

https://fen-research.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy & Climate Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry & Sector Research (Syndicated/Custom) (BPAHALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO), Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK), Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) (BPADAEAB)

Keywords

• Energy systems research
• Hydrogen economy research
• Electromobility research
• Climate strategy research
• Logistics systems research

Headquarters

HQ city

Innsbruck

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Competitive Funding: FEN Research operates as a non-profit research institution. Revenue is generated through participation in national and international research funding competitions (e.g., EU Horizon projects, Austrian Klima- und Energiefonds, FFG). Projects such as Demo4Grid (EU FCH JU and Swiss government), WIVA P&G HyWest, HyTrain, HyBus, and HySnowGroomer are co-funded by public bodies. The company is not profit-oriented.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FEN Research is a non-profit research institution conducting independent basic research, industrial research, and experimental development focused on system and process research for logistics systems related to climate, energy, and resource strategies. It operates two research labs — EWest (Power on Demand / electromobility) and HyWest (Power to Hydrogen / green hydrogen economy) — at the Green Energy Center Europe in Innsbruck, delivering flagship R&D projects (Demo4Grid, HyBus, HyTrain, HySnowGroomer, WIVA P&G HyWest, Urban Charge & Park) funded by EU and Austrian government grants.

Product overview

FEN Research GmbH is a non-profit research institution operating under the EU framework for state aid to R&D. It is not organized for profit and conducts independent basic research, industrial research, experimental development, and knowledge transfer. The organization specializes in system and process research for logistics systems related to climate, energy, and resource strategies. Its work is organized through two main research centers: EWest focuses on 'Power on Demand' processes for direct electricity optimization, while HyWest focuses on 'Power to Hydrogen' processes for green hydrogen economy development. The company manages multiple flagship research projects including HyBus (hydrogen buses), HyTrain (hydrogen trains), HySnowGroomer (hydrogen snow groomers), Demo4Grid (electrolyzer technology), and Urban Charge & Park (electric mobility infrastructure), all conducted in collaboration with the Codex Partnership of the Green Energy Center Europe in Innsbruck, Austria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EWest Research Center Research laboratory at the Green Energy Center Europe in Innsbruck focused on the 'Power on Demand' process for optimizing direct electricity demand and supply for climate-neutral energy systems, with research lines including the Urban Charge & Park project on barrier-free EV charging and parking.
• HyWest Research Center Research laboratory at the Green Energy Center Europe focused on the 'Power to Hydrogen' process for green hydrogen production, storage, and application as part of the regional hydrogen economy development in Central Europe.
• Demo4Grid EU-funded research project demonstrating a 3.2 MW pressurized alkaline electrolyzer (30 bar) at MPREIS facilities in Völs, Austria, producing green hydrogen for grid balancing services and industrial use, achieving over 90% efficiency.
• WIVA P&G HyWest Austrian flagship model project for establishing a regional green hydrogen economy in Central Europe, investigating cross-sectoral production, storage, and application of green hydrogen based on systemic and logistical principles.
• WIVA P&G HyTrain Austrian flagship R&D project for developing the world's first hydrogen-powered narrow-gauge train, including hydrogen powertrain development and refueling infrastructure for the Zillertalbahn (Jenbach–Mayrhofen).
• HyBus Implementation Austrian research project (€1.8M, Klima- und Energiefonds) investigating the implementation and long-term operation of 700-bar Hyundai ELEC CITY hydrogen fuel cell buses across urban (Wiener Linien), regional (Graz Linien), and alpine (Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe) operating scenarios.
• HySnowGroomer National R&D project (Klima- und Energiefonds) developing hydrogen-powered snow groomers for alpine tourism with PRINOTH/Kässbohrer, including a mobile hydrogen refueling station (mobileHRS) now commercialized internationally.
• Urban Charge & Park EFRE K-Regio project (Standortagentur Tirol) researching barrier-free electric vehicle charging and parking infrastructure in urban spaces, including smart charging stations, car-sharing integration, and residential charging solutions.
• Power2X Kufstein Innovative sector-coupling project with hydrogen center by TIWAG-Tiroler Wasserkraft AG, contributing to the Tyrol 2050 energy autonomous strategy through integration of hydropower, hydrogen production, and grid balancing.

Quantifiable outcome

• First green hydrogen production at industrial scale in Central Europe: ~1.3 tonnes per day from 3.2 MW alkaline electrolyzer at MPREIS
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and flagship.

• TRIERES Hydrogen Valley (Greece)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024HORIZON-funded project for establishing Greek Hydrogen Valley. FEN Research participates through HyWest research center, sharing knowledge and experience from Austrian hydrogen economy development. Knowledge exchange workshop held July 2024 at Green Energy Center Europe. International cooperation strengthened through dedicated workshop and collaboration with EU-funded projects H2 Cove and High Select.
• DB SchenkerkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022DB Schenker partnered with MPREIS to deploy Hyzon hydrogen trucks for European logistics operations, integrating hydrogen trucks into international freight operations.
• Hyundai Import GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Hyundai supplies the first 700-bar fuel cell buses from worldwide first series production for the HyBus Implementation project in Austria. Hyundai ELEC CITY buses deployed at Wiener Linien (urban), Graz Linien (regional), and Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe (alpine). Project funded by Klima- und Energiefonds with €1.8M.
• Stadler Rail AGcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Stadler selected as best bidder for hydrogen narrow-gauge train supply for Zillertalbahn (HyTrain project). Hydrogen train prototypes developed and ready for deployment. Stadler hydrogen train achieved world record run in Colorado during development. Supply pending political decision on project continuation.
• Sunfire GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Sunfire supplied the 3.2 MW pressurized alkaline electrolyzer for the Demo4Grid project at MPREIS. The German company is one of the world's leading electrolysis players with innovative high-temperature SOEC and pressurized alkaline technologies. Over 90,000 operating hours demonstrated with previous alkaline generation.
• Linde EngineeringkeyTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Linde Engineering built the first high-performance hydrogen refueling station for trucks at MPREIS within the HyWest project. Station enables 10-minute refueling with ~40 kg green hydrogen per fill, replacing ~400 liters diesel.
• WIVA P&G (Vorzeigeregion Austria Power & Gas) Hydrogen InitiativeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018FEN Research serves as scientific lead for the WIVA P&G flagship project comprising HyWest (regional green hydrogen economy) and HyTrain (hydrogen narrow-gauge train). WIVA P&G is Austria's hydrogen flagship initiative funded by the Austrian Klima- und Energiefonds and coordinated with national hydrogen strategy. Nikolaus Fleischhacker serves as Austrian representative in the European SRIA agenda process for green hydrogen.
• PRINOTH / Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AGkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership for HySnowGroomer project developing hydrogen-powered snow groomer. Kässbohrer (Austrian subsidiary of PRINOTH) is market leader in snow groomers. Project resulted in direction decision to use hydrogen internal combustion engine over fuel cell for heavy alpine vehicles. Target: hydrogen snow groomer (LEITWOLF) ready for series production by 2025.
• FEN Sustain Systems GmbH (FEN Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018FEN Systems is the sister company of FEN Research, sharing founders Ernst and Nikolaus Fleischhacker. FEN Systems handles project implementation, product development, and operational management of energy transformation solutions. FEN Systems serves as consortium lead for HyBus Implementation and other projects. Both companies operate at Green Energy Center Europe.
• Demo4Grid Consortium (EU FCH JU and Swiss Government)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017EU-funded project (€16.5M+ total) developing and demonstrating 3.2 MW pressurized alkaline electrolyzer for grid balancing and green hydrogen production at MPREIS. Consortium includes: Sunfire GmbH (electrolyzer), IHT (alkaline technology), Inycom, Diadikasia Business Consulting, FHA Foundation (Spain), and FEN Systems/Green Energy Center Europe. FEN Research provides scientific oversight and dissemination support. Project completed after 78 months.
• Green Energy Center Europe Codex PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016The privately organized Codex Partnership of the Green Energy Center Europe is the primary strategic platform through which FEN Research coordinates energy transformation projects. The partnership comprises approximately 15 entities including industrial players, SMEs, and startups. Key Codex partners include: MPREIS (hydrogen production and logistics), Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe AG (hydrogen trains), TIWAG-TIGAS (hydrogen center), PRINOTH/Kässbohrer (hydrogen snow groomers), Hyundai Import GmbH (fuel cell buses), Wolftank Group (hydrogen refueling stations), EDC (mobile hydrogen stations), Energie Ingenieure Consulting, Technik GmbH (smart charging), Enomics (charging technology), FEN Sustain Systems GmbH (project coordination), and others. The partnership drives the transformation toward climate-neutral and autonomous energy systems through coordinated research and implementation projects.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fen-research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FEN Research GmbH