What H2PULSE does

H2PULSE SAS is a French hydrogen testing and engineering services company founded in 2019 by Cyril Gagnepain and Christophe Turpin in Toulouse, operating as a subsidiary of SERMA Energy since October 2023. The company designs and manufactures custom hydrogen test benches (for PEMFC/SOFC fuel cells, PEM/AEM/alkaline electrolyzers, cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage at approximately -253°C, hydrogen combustion, and leak testing) and conducts experimental test campaigns on its own premises at the Toulouse-Francazal air base or on client sites. Its service portfolio spans experimental testing campaigns, hydrogen installation design and safety consulting (including ATEX strategy), high-tech engineering (characterization, hybridization studies, Matlab-based modeling, predictive maintenance), and operational hydrogen training delivered online or on-site.

H2PULSE's competitive position rests on operating licenses for LAPLACE Laboratory (CNRS, Toulouse INP, Paul Sabatier University) patents and expertise, more than 1,000 m2 of dedicated hydrogen testing infrastructure, and a team of PhDs and engineers with 10-20 years of hydrogen domain experience. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales combined with industry event presence (Paris Air Show, Hyvolution, SIANE, Aeromart), targeting aerospace (Airbus ZeroE program), rail, river, and road transport, hydrogen component manufacturers, and research institutions such as ISAE-SUPAERO and ENAC. Revenue is generated through one-time custom test bench sales, professional services for test campaigns, engineering consulting, and hydrogen training programs, with pricing provided on a quote basis tailored to client specifications.

Name

H2PULSE

Legal name

H2PULSE SAS

Website

https://h2pulse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

H2PULSE is a Toulouse-based engineering firm that designs custom hydrogen test benches and runs testing campaigns for fuel cells, electrolyzers, cryogenic storage, and combustion systems, serving aerospace (Airbus), transport, and research clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrogen Testing Equipment and Engineering Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems) (IMAGAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydrogen Storage Safety, Monitoring & Integrity (Leak Detection, Sensors, Inspection) (EUAFAEAJ), Hydrogen CHP (Fuel Cell & H2-Ready Turbines) (EUACAKAF), Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) Storage & Cryogenic Tank Systems (EUAFAEAB)

Keywords

• Hydrogen test benches
• Fuel cell testing
• Cryogenic hydrogen systems
• Hydrogen engineering services
• Electrolysis system testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Toulouse

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Test Bench Design and Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of specific test tools (hardware and software) for hydrogen testing to client specifications. Includes test benches, algorithms, cards, and custom diagnostic products.
2. Test Campaign Services: Conducting experimental testing campaigns for hydrogen components and systems on H2PULSE site or client site. Includes characterization, benchmarking, aging campaigns, and safety testing.
3. High-Tech Engineering and Consulting: Specialized engineering services including feasibility studies, modeling, hybridization, design, and sizing of hydrogen systems. Also includes consulting for hydrogen installations and safety standards.
4. Hydrogen Training Services: Theoretical and practical operational training programs for hydrogen technologies, delivered in-person or remotely, tailored to client specifications.
5. Metrology and Characterization Services: Materials characterization and metrology services for hydrogen components and systems.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

H2PULSE designs and manufactures custom hydrogen test benches for fuel cells, electrolyzers, cryogenic storage, and hydrogen combustion systems. The company also conducts experimental testing campaigns, provides high-tech hydrogen engineering and safety consulting, and delivers operational training programs to industrial clients across aerospace, rail, river, and road transport sectors.

Product overview

H2PULSE is a hydrogen energy services company (SAS, founded 2019, acquired by SERMA Energy in 2023) that operates as both a product manufacturer and service provider. Its core products are custom-engineered test benches designed and manufactured to specifications for hydrogen applications — including the Cryogenic Test Bench, H2 Tank Test Bench, Auxiliary Test Bench for Fuel Cell Systems (humidification), Passive Humidifier Characterization Test Bench, Performance Test Bench (single-cell characterization), Anodic/Cathodic Emulation Benches, Educational Test Bench, Autonomous Micro-Electric Network Test Bench, Portable Leak Test Bench, and the VEGA Leak Test Plate. These test benches form the product portfolio, sold as custom hardware solutions to industrial clients. Complementing the product line, H2PULSE offers services including experimental testing campaigns (using its own test benches at Francazal or client sites), hydrogen installation design and safety consulting, high-tech engineering (fuel cell/electrolyzer characterization, control systems, hybridization, modeling, system sizing), and operational hydrogen training. The company specializes in electrochemical systems (PEMFC, SOFC, PEM/AEM/alkaline electrolyzers), cryogenics, hydrogen combustion, and green hydrogen, serving aviation, rail, fluvial, road, and stationary industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Hydrogen Test Benches Custom-engineered test benches manufactured to client specifications covering cryogenic hydrogen systems (-253°C), H2 storage tanks, fuel cell auxiliary humidification, single-cell performance characterization, anodic and cathodic emulation, autonomous micro-electric networks, educational use, passive humidifier characterization, and portable leak testing. Designed for PEMFC, SOFC, and PEM/AEM/alkaline electrolyzer technologies.
• VEGA Hydrogen Leak Test Plate Leak test plate prototype for hydrogen gas fluidic elements including fuel cells, valves, and cell auxiliaries. Features humidity control module, fluidic parallelization, and cyclic voltammetry. Developed under the VEGA project with support from Occitanie Region.
• EMH2 Hydrogen Aircraft Component Test Bench (for Airbus ZeroE) Custom test bench designed for Airbus ZeroE EMH2 project, evaluating electromagnetic robustness (lightning strike simulation with thousands of amps discharge) of hydrogen aircraft components under hydrogen and cryogenic conditions using a high-sensitivity hydrogen leak detector.
• Experimental Hydrogen Testing Campaigns Experimental testing of hydrogen components and systems including fuel cells (single cells, stacks), electrolyzers, and complete hydrogen systems with Balance Of Plant. Covers start-up/shutdown, leak tests, characterization, mission profiles, aging campaigns, and state-of-health determination, performed at H2PULSE's Francazal facilities or on client sites.
• Hydrogen Installation Design & Safety Consulting Expertise in designing gaseous and liquid hydrogen installations and secure cells, including ATEX strategy, hydrogen safety standards, project management assistance, and electrical/gas distribution system sizing for industrial hydrogen deployments.
• High-Tech Hydrogen Engineering Services Specialized engineering covering fuel cell and electrolyzer design and characterization (PEMFC, SOFC, PEM/AEM/alkaline electrolyzers), control systems (FCCU, FCMS, EMS, HMS), hybridization studies, modeling and simulation (Matlab), system sizing, predictive maintenance, and prototype development for industrial clients.
• Operational Hydrogen Training Customized theoretical and practical hydrogen training programs delivered by PhDs and expert engineers, covering hydrogen fundamentals, fuel cells, electrolyzers, cryogenics, combustion, safety/ATEX, green hydrogen, and system testing. Available online, in Toulouse, or on-site at client premises.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully completed EMH2 project test campaigns for Airbus ZeroE hydrogen aircraft initiative, contributing to lightning strike robustness data for hydrogen-powered aviation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SERMA EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2023H2PULSE was acquired by SERMA Energy in October 2023, becoming part of SERMA Group's energy department. This acquisition provides H2PULSE access to SERMA's broader expertise in batteries, power electronics, and electrical machines, enabling larger-scale projects and expanded commercial reach. H2PULSE maintains its presence in Toulouse region while benefiting from SERMA Group's organization across France, Europe, Tunisia, and the United States.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AVL List GmbH: Global powertrain and energy testing solutions provider with hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzer testing capabilities as part of a much broader portfolio. Represents the scaled incumbent that H2PULSE competes against on large industrial hydrogen programs.
• TÜV SÜD: Global testing, inspection, and certification company with a growing hydrogen testing services practice (component certification, ATEX, hydrogen refueling station qualification). Represents a scaled incumbent that could absorb hydrogen testing into its broader TIC portfolio.

Direct peers

• CEA-Liten (CEA Tech): French public research institute with commercial hydrogen testing, fuel cell characterization, and cryogenic platform capabilities. Comparable to H2PULSE on the French hydrogen testing market and serves many of the same industrial clients in Occitanie and beyond.
• ZBT GmbH (Zentrum für BrennstoffzellenTechnik): German hydrogen and fuel cell testing center offering test bench services, certification, and R&D support across PEMFC, SOFC, electrolyzers, and hydrogen infrastructure. Closest comparable to H2PULSE in scope (component-to-system hydrogen testing) and target market (industrial hydrogen developers).
• Greenlight Innovation: Canadian manufacturer of automated test equipment for fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries, with global sales. Direct competitor to H2PULSE in the hydrogen test bench product category, with a more international commercial footprint.
• HORIBA FuelCon (HORIBA): HORIBA's fuel cell and electrolyzer test station business (formerly FuelCon) provides end-of-line and characterization test systems globally. Direct competitor for fuel cell and electrolyzer test bench sales, with significantly larger scale and global reach than H2PULSE.
• TesTneT Engineering GmbH: German engineering services firm specializing in hydrogen, fuel cell, and e-mobility testing and validation. Comparable services-led model targeting hydrogen component manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers in Europe.

Emerging players

• Fraunhofer ISE: German applied research institute with hydrogen production, fuel cell, and electrolyzer testing capabilities. Comparable technical depth to H2PULSE but operates on a research-grant-driven model with limited commercial product offerings.

Regional players

• Symbio: French fuel cell joint venture (Faurecia/Michelin/Advent) developing hydrogen mobility systems in the same Occitanie ecosystem. Regional peer rather than direct testing competitor, but a likely French customer for H2PULSE's stack and BoP test campaigns.

Others

• Ballard Power Systems: Canadian PEM fuel cell manufacturer and a potential customer/partner rather than a direct competitor. Comparable because Ballard's fuel cell stacks require exactly the kind of single-cell and stack characterization testing that H2PULSE provides, often outsourced.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/h2pulse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 H2PULSE