GUESS-WHy is designed to strengthen both the sustainability and safety of fuel cell and hydrogen (FCH) technologies by applying the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach recommended by the European Union. The project will develop seven tailored SSbD guidelines for diverse FCH systems across the full hydrogen value chain—including production, storage, and utilization—covering technologies such as PEM electrolyzers, SOFC systems, alkaline electrolyzers, metal hydride storage, hydrogen gas turbines combined with PEM-FC, and SOE electrolyzers.

These guidelines will evaluate life cycle impacts and recommend improvements for safety and sustainability. They will be developed through a systematic methodology involving stakeholder input, impact assessment, creative solution generation, and scenario-based analysis. The project brings together a network of 10 international partners including universities, research institutes, and industrial organizations from across Europe and Japan.

The project is coordinated by the University of Perugia (UNIPG). As Project Coordinator, UNIPG is in charge of the overall implementation of the project, facilitating collaboration across work packages (WPs), resolving critical issues, and serving as the main interface with the European Commission and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Additionally, UNIPG oversees the project’s financial management and supports the consortium partners with administrative and reporting processes by providing tools and guidance.

https://guesswhy.eu/