TELI: a system with controlled risks
Hydrogen plays a central role in the TELI system, as a clean, storable and versatile energy carrier. As a result, this technology presents multidimensional risks, combining dangerous physical properties with digital vulnerabilities, not least because of the TELI system's automation and remote control.
Hydrogen risk management with an integrated safety system
Hydrogen is a clean, energetic gas with special physico-chemical properties that require appropriate safety management. It is highly flammable, even at low concentrations, making it susceptible to ignition over a wide range of concentrations. However, these hydrogen-related risks are well identified and effectively controlled thanks to proven safety protocols.
Invisible and odorless, hydrogen is precisely detected using special gas detection sensors. Thanks to rigorous TELI system design, continuous monitoring and specialized personnel training, SOLUTIONS HYDROGENE ensures the safe and secure use of hydrogen as an energy carrier of the future.
Mastering the digital threat: a partnership challenge
The TELI hydrogen production, storage and distribution system is based on advanced industrial automation incorporating connected sensors, a SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and human-machine interfaces (HMIs).
While this digital architecture improves precision, responsiveness and operational efficiency, it also introduces new cyber vulnerabilities. A cyber attack targeting TELI equipment can have major physical consequences: deactivating leak sensors, manipulating valves, altering pressure or temperature data, or even blocking an emergency shutdown system. These attacks can lead to dangerous situations, such as fires, explosions or major property damage.
At the same time, ransomware represents another threat: it can paralyze the TELI supervision system, rendering critical data inaccessible and preventing any intervention in the event of an emergency.
The growing interconnection between OT (Operational Technology) networks and IT (Information Technology) systems considerably increases the attack surface. In the absence of rigorous network segmentation, a vulnerability exploited on the corporate network can propagate all the way down to industrial control components.
Against this backdrop, industrial cybersecurity is becoming a strategic challenge to guarantee the safety of hydrogen-powered systems such as TELI, and to protect both physical installations and sensitive operational data.
The HyGARDE collaborative project
With the boom in IoT deployments and the rise in cyberthreats, the security of connected equipment is a crucial issue. In response, the HyGARDE consortium has been set up to develop a cutting-edge cybersecurity solution to protect critical equipment and the sensitive data passing through it. This project is financed by Bpifrance as part of the France 2030 plan, which supports technological innovation and digital sovereignty.
HyGARDE: a French cybersecurity platform for strategic connected equipment
The HyGARDE consortium brings together several major French players in industrial and IoT cybersecurity. It is coordinated by IDEMIA Secure Transactions, the leading provider of cryptography and digital security solutions for the payment, mobile connectivity and secure IoT sectors. Alongside IDEMIA, IoT.BZH contributes its expertise in open source embedded software and cybersecurity for embedded systems, while SOLENT acts as a recognized specialist in the development and monitoring of strategic devices.
Together, these partners are designing a secure, ready-to-use platform designed to protect critical connected devices throughout their lifecycle: from initial development through to deployment and maintenance under operational conditions.
In addition, HyGARDE places particular emphasis on cybersecurity certification and long-term compliance management. Both are essential to guarantee sustainable security and meet new European and international regulatory requirements.
To reinforce this approach, the project offers a complete range of cybersecurity tools: support for IoT equipment certification, remote security monitoring, secure software updates, and cybersecurity lifecycle management in the field.
To secure systems, HyGARDE relies on a physical SIM or an embedded eSIM, which protects both the operating system and critical business applications.
As a result, HyGARDE offers businesses and government organizations a scalable, compliant cybersecurity solution capable of meeting the stringent standards of the NIS 2 Directive, the European Cyber Resilience Act and the NIST IoT Cybersecurity Program, which will come into force from 2025.
TELI: The first concrete application of the HyGARDE solution
TELI's hydrogen safety certification is a prerequisite for the sale of this clean, modular energy system for individual homes, apartment blocks and commercial buildings. Aware of this imperative, SOLUTION HYDROGENE has joined the HyGARDE consortium to ensure maximum end-to-end security for this new equipment and the data it carries.
Funded by France 2030, the French government's investment plan, the consortium has made significant progress since its launch in 2023. A first prototype is already available, and the complete platform, including fully functional hydrogen storage equipment, is due to be commissioned in autumn 2025. An AI-based behavior monitoring system will be tested on in-service systems in 2026.
France 2030
Key support from Bpifrance for the TELI project
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Bpifrance for its financial support as part of the France 2030 program. This funding marks a key stage in the development of our TELI project, providing us with the means to accelerate our capacity for innovation and contribute, on our own scale, to France's technological and industrial sovereignty. Our team is proud to be part of this ambitious national initiative, and we welcome the confidence that Bpifrance has shown in us through this strategic support.
