Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs

✨ Highlights from the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference 2025 Last week, hydrogen took centre stage as over 200 participants from all corners of the world gathered at the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference in Luleå to discuss our common path towards a sustainable future. What are the drivers and barriers for clean hydrogen development? What can be done best on a Nordic scale to ensure a rapid development of hydrogen value chains? How do we strengthen the ties between different although mutually concerned actors? And, last but not least, how do we make sure no one gets left behind in the process? These were some of the critical questions asked during the conference and after two days of insightful discussions, we've also uncovered some of the answers. "I am very happy to have experienced such a high level of participatory engagement, where everybody seemed to take good advantage of the networking opportunities. A lot of messages were delivered across academic fields and industrial interests, but the main talking point was social acceptance and local hydrogen valley cooperation," says Lise Nielson, Senior Adviser, Nordisk Energiforskning, and responsible for the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs Programme. Read more about this year's conference and access all presentations at: https://lnkd.in/decmfum4 Klaus Skytte | Kevin Johnsen | Ole Aune Ødegård | Torsten Oster Schmidt | Cecilia Wallmark | Mogens Lykketoft | Anders Lundell | Jan Froitzheim | Michael Ross | Dr. Minna Näsman | Brynhildur Davidsdottir | Johannes Giehl | Frederik Fristed | Karl Jivén | Julia Hansson | Maria Grahn | Per-Ove Eikeland | Tobias Holt Nørby | Mads Ragnvald Nielsen | Marcus Runefors | Michael Försth | Jesper Sjørvad | Vigdis Olden | Pedro Vilaça | Ida Heintz | Jakob Westerback | Carina Sammeli | Charlotte Wiberg | Kajsa Li Paludan | Joakim Lundgren | Johan Malinen | Kirsikka Kiviranta | Lin April Løstegård | Stefan Mikaelsson

Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference 2025: Thank you for this time! Nordic hydrogen solutions in a European context, indigenous communities’ definition of successful hydrogen projects, requirements for implementing hydrogen valleys on industrial scale, and calls to action for governments to push forward. These were some of the issues raised when more than 200 participants gathered for this year’s Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference. Mogens Lykketoft, Chairman of the Board of Energinet and former President of the UN General Assembly, was one of the keynote speakers highlighting the potential of hydrogen valleys. “We do see delays in reaching the green transition targets, with postponement of the energy islands of Denmark, and no bidding interest in the North Sea wind farms – but at least we CAN do something on hydrogen. We have the people, the skills, the regional outlook and the physical options. I see that the hydrogen sector is working constructively and with optimism. More could be done to inform politicians about our national plans and the policies of neighbouring countries – including the ministers of finance. The entire Danish hydrogen backbone pipeline project is after all a small project, and the investment will be paid off over 30 years. This should not be a difficult decision,” says Lykketoft. As the conference is drawing to an end, Nordisk Energiforskning would like to give a big thank you to all speakers, moderators, audience members, and other contributors for taking part in the discussions and making the conference such an interesting and synergistic event. We look forward to building on the conferred themes and following the progress of the five research projects funded within the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs Programme. Kevin Johnsen | Ole Aune Ødegård | Torsten Oster Schmidt | Anders Lundell | Jan Froitzheim | Michael Ross | Dr. Minna Näsman | Brynhildur Davidsdottir | Johannes Giehl | Frederik Fristed | Karl Jivén | Julia Hansson | Maria Grahn | Per Ove Eikeland | Tobias Holt Nørby | Mads Ragnvald Nielsen - MSc, CMarTech | Marcus Runefors | Michael Försth | Jesper Sjørvad | Vigdis Olden | Pedro Vilaça | Ida Heintz | Jakob Westerback

"Platforms for cooperations bolster our shared position across the entire hydrogen value chain" More than halfway through the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference, Nordisk Energiforskning got to talk to Kajsa Li Paludan, Lead Nordic Coordinator, Research & Innovation at Energimyndigheten, about the significance of cooperative platforms such as the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs Programme. "Fossil-free hydrogen will play a vital role in the Nordic energy system. Through strengthened collaboration in research and innovation, we can accelerate the development of methods for production, distribution, and storage—bolstering our shared position across the entire hydrogen value chain. In working together, we not only build a stronger and more competitive Nordic region but also set an example of how cooperation and shared commitment can guide the world toward a just and sustainable energy transition where no one is left behind," says Paludan. Stay tuned for further takeaways from the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference! Although a major part of the conference has been covered, there is still a lot of valuable work to be done and knowledge to be shared for a fossil-free society with hydrogen. Brynhildur Davidsdottir | University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands) | Johannes Giehl | Copenhagen Business School | Frederik Fristed | DTU - Technical University of Denmark | Maria Grahn | Chalmers tekniska högskola | Per Ove Eikeland | Fridtjof Nansen Institute | Tobias Holt Nørby | Topsoe | Anders Lundell | Vätgas Sverige | Mads Ragnvald Nielsen - MSc, CMarTech | DBI The Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology | Marcus Runefors | Lunds universitet | Michael Försth | Luleå tekniska universitet | Jesper Sjørvad | Kevin Johnsen | Vigdis Olden | Pedro Vilaça | Jan Froitzheim | Ida Heintz | Lise Nielson

"Hydrogen has the potential to become the next great industrial adventure" – Klaus Skytte, CEO, Nordisk Energiforskning Day 1 of the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference is well underway. Drawing from today’s presentations and panel debate, it is evident that hydrogen plays a pivotal role for realising the green transition. It is also clear that the research for developing hydrogen value chains is well established in the Nordic region, and that current barriers for actual implementation of hydrogen solutions lie beyond the R&D stage. Although agreeing on the urgency to both accelerate and expand hydrogen projects, the speakers representing different disciplines and Nordic countries highlighted diverse aspects of the way forward for the establishment of hydrogen valleys. – Carina Sammeli, Mayor, Luleå kommun, highlighted that Luleå is a growing city, which means a growing need for energy. This brings challenges that are not only technological and financial, but very much social. When new infrastructure is being planned, people go to their locally elected to get information and be heard themselves. Citizen engagement is crucial for hydrogen solutions to be realised in reach for the green transition. – Jón Björn Skúlason, Executive Director, Icelandic New Energy, emphasised the need for stamina in policy development. Whether it is restrictions of fossil fuels, promised incentives, or realistic goals, we have to actually stick to these. – Klaus Skytte, CEO, Nordic Energy Research, explained that hydrogen has the potential to become the next great industrial adventure, comparable to the rise of wind power. This opportunity comes with challenges, though. The international competition is intense, but with ambitious energy and climate policies, extensive research programmes, and a history of innovation, the Nordics have the tools to scale up new technologies. – Lin April Løstegård, Project Manager, Norsk Hydrogenforum, stressed the need for financial support to advance pilot projects into largescale projects. Competition is intense, not least due to fossil fuel prices at the same time being too low. Tomorrow, it is time for the second and final day of the conference. We look forward to picking up where we left off, expanding on today's topics! Lise Nielson | Ole Aune Ødegård | Cecilia Wallmark | LTU Business | Luleå tekniska universitet | Joakim Lundgren | Johannes Giehl | Sigrid Lædre | Jan Froitzheim | Vigdis Olden | Torsten Oster Schmidt | Kevin Johnsen | Johan Malinen | Kirsikka Kiviranta | Anders Lundell | Mogens Lykketoft | Nordic Innovation

"We must humanise the green transition by fostering an inclusive, cultural shift toward a greener future" As a prelude to the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference, Nordisk Energiforskning co-hosted a side event on energy equality with Women in Green Hydrogen yesterday, addressing gender-related barriers in the field of energy. With hydrogen solutions being key to the green transition, but women remaining significantly underrepresented in the Nordic energy branch, yesterday's side event created a space for sustainability stakeholders to connect, share ideas, and take meaningful steps together toward a more equal and ecological energy sector. After an introduction to the Women in Green Hydrogen network by Cecilia Wallmark, Director, CH2ESS, Nordic Energy Research's CEO Klaus Skytte highlighted the importance of diversity for stronger innovation, better decision-making, and a faster pace towards our shared climate goals: "As we face global challenges, it is clear that these are not just technical or economic issues – they are deeply human. We must humanise the green transition by fostering an inclusive, cultural shift toward a greener future." Now, we look forward to two full days of analysing and synthesising hydrogen related topics in the Nordics. To stay posted on the discussions, make sure to follow Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs on LinkedIn and engage in the comments section! Luleå tekniska universitet | Lise Nielson | Ole Aune Ødegård | Kevin Johnsen | Kajsa Li Paludan | Julia Hansson | Parvathi Thampi | Sigrid Lædre | Karl Jivén | Michael Ross

Kicking off the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference Today, Nordisk Energiforskning and the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs Programme soft started the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference by visiting Luleå University of Technology laboratories, Hybrit, and Swerim. 🔬 At the Luleå University of Technology laboratories, we had a guided tour by the researchers manning the laboratory equipment. The lab activities vary from hydrogen-producing algae to photographing steel atoms interacting with hydrogen. 🏭 For the HYBRIT initiative, fossil-free hydrogen is central. At their 50 metre high direct reduction plant, one tonne of sponge iron is produced every hour, and since the initiative started, 6000 tonnes have been produced. However, the production is not the main thing, but the process, the research, and the development. The plant provides the excel sheet for making production possible, technically, sutainably, and economically. In 2024, six years of research came to an end, and the next step to implement the Hybrit technology on an industrial scale. ⚙️ Swerim is a significant contributor to the hydrogen value chain. By conducting needs-based industrial research and development on metals and their route from raw material to finished product, Swerim works toward a fossil-free and circular industry. Thank you to all participants for engaging in the three site visits. We look forward to continuing the discussions tomorrow, when the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference officially begins. Luleå tekniska universitet | SSAB | LKAB | Vattenfall | Klaus Skytte | Kevin Johnsen | Lise Nielson | Ole Aune Ødegård | Cecilia Wallmark | Michael Ross | Lin April Løstegård | Clarissa Palú | Andrea Correa | Dina Shona Laila | Kajsa Li Paludan | Manuel Agredano Torres | Parvathi Thampi | Teemu Lindqvist | Maria Backlund | Bavesh Moorthy | Mogens Lykketoft

📣 Two weeks until the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference With only two weeks to go until we meet in Luleå, there are still a few spots left to register for the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference! Check out the finalised conference programme, which over the course of two days will provide a valuable forum for knowledge sharing and networking, bringing together key stakeholders in the hydrogen field. 📅 22–23 January 2025 📍 Luleå, Sweden ✍ Sign up at: https://lnkd.in/gnqnpAq7 Carina Sammeli | Charlotte Wiberg | Mogens Lykketoft | Cecilia Wallmark | Johan Malinen | Kirsikka Kiviranta | Sigrid Lædre | Joakim Lundgren | Vigdis Olden | Johannes Giehl | Jan Froitzheim | Brynhildur Davidsdottir | Mads Ragnvald Nielsen - MSc, CMarTech | Marcus Runefors | Michael Försth | Pedro Vilaça | Dr. Minna Näsman | Julia Hansson | Karl Jivén | Jakob Westerback | Lin April Løstegård | Michael Ross | Anders Lundell | Maria Grahn | Tobias Holt Nørby | Maria Pettersson | Jesper Sjørvad | Nuria Fuertes | Klaus Skytte | Kevin Johnsen | Torsten Oster Schmidt | Lise Nielson | Ole Aune Ødegård | The Nordic Council of Ministers and The Nordic Council | Rannís - The Icelandic Centre for Research | Business Finland | Energimyndigheten | Innovation Fund Denmark | Norges forskningsråd | Luleå tekniska universitet

Less than two months until we meet in Luleå! Nordisk Energiforskning welcomes you the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference! We hope you'll join us for two days of: ● Keynotes addressing Nordic strategies and priorities for hydrogen valleys. ● Research insights on solutions that service the entire hydrogen value chain. ● Sitevisits to actors with cutting-edge initiatives for turning the Nordics green. ● Workshop to share key takeaways, mobilise, and create joint calls to action. ● Networking opportunities with decision-makers, hydrogen researchers, and industry professionals. 📅 22–23 January 2025 📍 Luleå, Sweden ✍ Registration link in the comments section! Klaus Skytte | Carina Sammeli | Charlotte Wiberg | Mogens Lykketoft | Cecilia Wallmark | Johan Malinen | Kirsikka Kiviranta | Sigrid Lædre | Joakim Lundgren | Vigdis Olden | Johannes Giehl | Jan Froitzheim | Brynhildur Davidsdottir | Mads Ragnvald Nielsen - MSc, CMarTech | Marcus Runefors | Michael Försth | Pedro Vilaça | Dr. Minna Näsman | Julia Hansson | Karl Jivén | Jakob Westerback | Michael Ross | Lise Nielson | Ole Aune Ødegård

“The winning concept we see in Luleå is all about collaboration and sharing knowledge and experiences together. One possible way forward could be to build on the Luleå model but for hydrogen.”   On 22–23 January, it's time for the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference in Luleå, Sweden!   As clean hydrogen solutions implemented in Luleå are setting a new world standard for green iron and steel industry, we are pleased to have the Mayor of Luleå kommun, Carina Sammeli, as one of our keynote speakers at the conference. Ahead of the conference, Nordisk Energiforskning got hold of Sammeli to gain insight into Luleå’s pioneering initiatives for a sustainable energy future.   🏆 What are some best practices learned along the municipality’s story of success? – In Luleå, the key word is truly collaboration. An example of this is the Luleå model, where industries, energy companies, and the municipality have sat down together and held constructive roundtable discussions to optimise the expansion of the power grid. This collaboration has contributed to enabling industrial projects in the most efficient way possible, allowing industries to use hydrogen as a raw material, among other things.   🧲 What is Luleå’s secret to attracting people to the region, and how can we engage future generations in the industrial transition? – Luleå is a growing city, where there are plenty of jobs and good possibilities for a career in the transition of the industries and a transition of society. We work hard together with the local employers to recruit people to move to Luleå, from Sweden, Europe and the rest of the world. We see that the industries do attract employers who want to make a real difference for the world in their job. And we are a city in transition, and that creates possibilities and challenges that attracts young people. There is no business as usual here.   🛤️ Looking ahead, how can the leading example of Luleå boost the cooperation around hydrogen and energy in the Nordic region as a whole? – The winning concept we see in Luleå is all about collaboration and sharing knowledge and experiences together. One possible way forward could be to build on the Luleå model but for hydrogen. If it turns out that there is a need to facilitate similar dialogues around hydrogen, one approach could be for the municipality or another central actor to take overall responsibility. This is based on the positive experiences we have had from the roundtable discussions conducted on the power grid side.   Sign up for the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference at: https://lnkd.in/gnqnpAq7   The Nordic Council of Ministers and The Nordic Council | Rannís - The Icelandic Centre for Research | Business Finland | Energimyndigheten | Innovation Fund Denmark | Norges forskningsråd | Luleå tekniska universitet   #Nordic #Hydrogen #HydrogenValleys #Energy

☑️ Sign up for the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference! On 22–23 January 2025, Nordisk Energiforskning welcomes you to Luleå, Sweden, to discuss elements related to hydrogen valleys – from Nordic decision making and collaboration, to utilising regional strengths in industry and geography. We are pleased to present the conference programme, which includes keynote speakers such as: ● Mogens Lykketoft, Chairman of the Board at Energinet, and former President of the UN General Assembly ● Carina Sammeli, Mayor of Luleå kommun ● Johan Malinen, Departmental Secretary at Regeringskansliet ● Cecilia Wallmark, Director of the hydrogen initiative CH2ESS at Luleå tekniska universitet ● Dr. Minna Näsman, Chief Development Officer at Akordi ● Michael Ross, Industrial Research Chair in Northern Energy Innovation at Yukon University We hope to see you there! Register for the conference at: https://lnkd.in/gnqnpAq7 Rannís - The Icelandic Centre for Research | Business Finland | Energimyndigheten | Innovation Fund Denmark | Norges forskningsråd | Tooraj Jamasb | Joakim Lundgren | Sigrid Lædre | Vigdis Olden #Nordic #Energy #Research #Hydrogen #HydrogenValleys