Dear Friends,

The return to business from the summer period has seen an explosive start of events and topics that I want to report on and share with you in this month's newsletter. These topics have and will have a profound impact on the life of Hydrogen Europe Research -at least that's our hope- and continue the process of transforming our association into a European think tank that activates opportunities, connects them with our members, and leverages their expertise and capabilities to support the development of the European hydrogen sector. This is a profound yet complex transition phase, requiring collaboration across various sectors, both geographically and across industries and roles.

This is the context for my personal participation in the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation events, which I attended last August. You can find further details about these events in this newsletter. On this occasion, during the opening day and at the start of the various Mission roundtables, I chaired the signing of the MoU between Hydrogen Europe Research and the Clean Hydrogen Mission. This formalizes a relationship that had already begun concretely in early 2025, with the participation of our Secretariat and several members in the first roundtable exchange initiatives on hydrogen production. At this roundtable, we will seek to provide strategic input into the definition of global research objectives, bringing a European perspective to the table and establishing bridges and channels of collaboration with other countries participating in the same Mission.

A few days later, an important event and conference was held in Capri, the European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Conference, with the participation of numerous researchers from around the world, to review the state of hydrogen research. The first day was very interesting, as it provided an update on the sector's development, from current and future research priorities, the role of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the barriers currently encountered in the development of the hydrogen sector from an industrial and market perspective, and the solutions that policymakers are implementing to support the sector's development.

This is a topic I imagine many of you are addressing, and it requires in-depth reflection by the authorities on the competitiveness to be developed in Europe. This requires several well-targeted issues that must be addressed simultaneously to be effective, and requires multiple stakeholders, both institutional and otherwise, to be involved in the development and implementation phases of these tools.

The topic that has concerned us so far, as Hydrogen Europe Research and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, is certainly the technological competitiveness, which has, over time, concentrated on actions to support research and innovation in European hydrogen technologies, with an initial focus on industrial scaling-up and the development of initial markets with hydrogen valleys. However, broader coordination is needed, along with stronger and continuous support for entrepreneurship and new startups, the creation of tools that help these businesses grow over time, and measures that enable real industrial scaling. This requires public and private investment, particularly to address funding gaps, industrial policies, and the development of early markets to benefit the European players in increased manufacturing capacity. This also requires work on the economic viability of the sector, with fully mature technologies, incentives, bankability, and enabling infrastructure in place. Finally, market activation is also needed, with standardization activities, a comprehensive and coherent policy and regulatory framework, the development of hydrogen valleys to a new level of impact, and the activation of the demand side with long-term supply contracts. There's much more to say. Let me stop here.

In all of this, the members of Hydrogen Europe Research have a role to play in low-TRL actions, which focus on medium and long-term impact, as well as in implementing all the points described above, leveraging the expertise and impartiality that distinguish universities and research centers. I hope that this overall perspective, to advance European competitiveness, will be reflected in internal discussions within the European Commission and member states, so that a new Joint Undertaking can be activated in the next Framework Program that can cover a broader spectrum than identified above, in a closer relationship between the Commission and member states, industry and research, and across a broader range of activities.

This wish will be supported by the ongoing effort that my closest collaborators and I are making, together with Hydrogen Europe, to emphasize the importance of these issues and their organization in FP10, for the benefit of European industry, the continent's economy, and energy security within a framework of full future sustainability.

In the newsletter below, you'll find many topics that will accompany us in the coming weeks and months. The continuation of our collaboration with Women in Green Hydrogen, with a new event dedicated to Beatriz Nieto of the National Hydrogen Center in Spain. The 2025 Young Scientist Award. We're very close to the final selection of the best researchers. And groups and projects! I hope you find lots of interesting information to read!

HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Hydrogen Europe Research and Clean Hydrogen Mission to Sign Memorandum of Understanding

On August 25, Hydrogen Europe Research and the Clean Hydrogen Mission of Mission Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding, joining forces to accelerate clean hydrogen research and innovation worldwide.

By supporting the development and demonstration of commercially viable hydrogen technologies by 2030, the Mission aims to help hydrogen complement electrification and decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry and transport.

Through this MoU, both organisations commit to strengthening collaboration in a number of key areas:

• advancing open science practices in hydrogen research,
• promoting international R&I cooperation,
• supporting the growth and scaling-up of Hydrogen Valleys worldwide,
• coordinating policies to create an enabling environment for hydrogen,
• developing next-generation hydrogen technologies, and
• addressing skills and training needs for the hydrogen workforce.

By joining forces, Hydrogen Europe Research and the Clean Hydrogen Mission aim to speed up the development and uptake of integrated clean hydrogen value chains across developed and developing regions.

As our President Luigi Crema underlined, this partnership is about making hydrogen technologies accessible across the globe, aligning regional efforts, and sharing knowledge openly for everyone’s benefit. Together with the Clean Hydrogen Mission and building on the work of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, we are committed to creating impact that goes beyond Europe - supporting communities, economies, and the planet in the transition to a clean energy future.

Read the full press release here!

Women in Hydrogen Campaign

In early June, we proudly launched our “Women in Hydrogen” campaign to highlight the voices, experiences, and leadership of women driving innovation in the hydrogen sector. Every month, we will showcase the stories of extraordinary women from our membership who are shaping the future of hydrogen. 

In September, we are excited to feature Beatriz Nieto Calderón, Head of the Engineering Unit at the CNH2 - Centro Nacional del Hidrógeno in Spain!

Beatriz brings together hands-on engineering and strategic leadership, coordinating projects in hydrogen technologies while fostering new collaborations. While she leads projects in engineering development, commissioning, and start-ups, she never loses her passion for fieldwork, participating whenever possible to stay connected to the practical side of hydrogen technologies.

Beatriz’s journey into hydrogen started in 2009, inspired by curiosity and the potential of a new sector. Since then, she has contributed to pioneering projects including hydrogen-powered trains, green ammonia production, and decarbonizing maritime ports, turning innovative ideas into real-world applications.

She emphasizes the importance of teamwork and mentorship. During periods of rapid growth in the sector, she successfully trained a new team under tight deadlines, proving that collaboration and adaptability are key to overcoming challenges.

Beatriz encourages young women in STEM to trust their curiosity and determination: “Brilliant minds among young women must believe in themselves and get involved in hydrogen. By doing so, they will not only contribute to progress but also inspire the next generation of leaders.”

Beatriz is one of many inspiring women shaping the clean energy future – let’s celebrate them all!

Explore more inspiring stories of the incredible women in our community here!

Save the Date for EPHyC2026!

In 2026, the European PhD Hydrogen Conference, EPHyC2026, is coming to Trondheim, Norway!

Organised by Hydrogen Europe Research, HYDROGENi, SINTEF, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), this third edition will take place from 1 to 3 June 2026, and will be linked to the H₂science Conference, creating a unique opportunity to connect, exchange, and collaborate.

Two conferences. One goal. Endless possibilities.

What makes EPHyC unique is that it is organised for PhDs, by PhDs. Since PhD research drives innovation and brings forward new concepts and theories, this conference provides a vital stage to showcase groundbreaking insights.

After the great success of the first two editions, EPHyC returns to offer PhD researchers from across Europe the chance to present their work, share knowledge, and engage in lively discussions with peers. Inspiring thematic sessions will be complemented by plenty of networking opportunities during lunches, coffee breaks, and social events.

And the best part? EPHyC is completely free of charge!

Stay tuned for more information on the submission platform and abstract requirements. In the meantime, check out the EPHyC website and the LinkedIn page to discover what happened during the first two editions!

We can’t wait to see many of you in Trondheim next year!

Young Scientist Award: Thank You for Your Applications!

The deadline for the award closed last Friday, marking the end of an exciting application period that attracted more than 40 submissions! We are very happy with the interest shown and the quality of the work received.

The Executive Board will now begin the process of reviewing all applications in order to identify this year’s winners. We would like to wish the best of luck to all participants who dedicated their time and effort to take part in this competition!

We look forward to celebrating together during the award ceremony, which will take place in person on 24 November!

Showcase Your Hydrogen Training Programmes in the European Hydrogen Observatory!

The next update of the European Hydrogen Observatory will be released soon, and we would like to invite all members of Hydrogen Europe Research to take this opportunity to showcase your training and education offers in the hydrogen sector.

What is the European Hydrogen Observatory?

The European Hydrogen Observatory is the go-to platform for accurate and up-to-date data on hydrogen in Europe. It serves as a central hub of information for policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers, and the general public.

By contributing your training programmes to the Observatory, you will join a European-wide repository dedicated to education and upskilling in the field of hydrogen and fuel cells.

What kind of programmes can you include?

We welcome a wide range of training and education offers, including:

• Bachelor and Master programmes
• Professional training courses
• Summer and Winter schools
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) programmes

To submit or update your programmes, use this link to access the Observatory.

If you are updating an existing programme, please do not create a new entry, tick the “update existing programme” box and browse for your current listing to edit.

Why contribute?

• Promote your training to students, professionals, and companies across Europe
• Increase your visibility in the European hydrogen ecosystem
• Help map the hydrogen education landscape and identify skills gaps in the sector

We also invite you to share this opportunity with your wider network, especially with colleagues and partners involved in hydrogen education.

Deadline for contributions: 10 October!

In addition to programme listings, the Observatory also hosts educational materials (presentations, lecture slides, course booklets, etc.) under the "Educational Material" section. If you are interested in publishing your material, please contact Dominik Richter at d.richter@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu!

Discover the work of the IPHE Skills Task Force!

As part of this effort, the Task Force has released two key resources:

• An Interactive Database Tool, compiling and summarising job roles and skills needs identified in hydrogen-related assessments worldwide,
• A Guidance Publication 1, offering practical direction for countries and institutions conducting skills needs assessments and workforce estimation in the hydrogen sector. 

These resources were presented during a Zoom webinar on 23 September.

HYPERION 4th Partner Meeting in Ghent, 5-6 November 2025

This gathering will bring together partners to exchange knowledge, share good practices, and strengthen collaboration around key hydrogen topics.

include multiple on-site visits in different regions.

The meeting in Ghent will focus on:

• Hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors
• Matching good practices and policy improvement ideas
• Spatial principles to map the potential of hydrogen (Day 2)

We look forward to two days of inspiring discussions and joint learning!

CLEAN HYDROGEN PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

The Governing Board of the Partnership will discuss and approve the final list of selected topics ahead of publication.

Looking ahead, activities surrounding the Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2027 will kick off in the autumn. Should you be interested in participating in the elaboration of the next AWP, do not hesitate to get in touch with our Innovation Manager, Louis Mazurkiewicz, l.mazurkiewicz@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu

As part of the Hydrogen Week, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership will be hosting the Innovation Forum at the Thon Hotel EU in Brussels on 2-3 October. The Innovation Forum will convene policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and investors to accelerate the development and deployment of clean hydrogen technologies, strengthen EU competitiveness, and drive the market uptake of innovative solutions. This year’s edition will pay special attention to scaling up hydrogen start-ups and unlocking synergies across public and private initiatives.

Registration is open via this link.

BECOME A MEMBER

Join the European hydrogen research and innovation community!

Hydrogen Europe Research brings together leading scientists and organisations driving the hydrogen transition across Europe. Becoming a member gives you the chance to connect with peers, access exclusive resources, and contribute to shaping the future of hydrogen technologies.

As a member, you can take part in the activities of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, contributing to the development of strategic priorities and supporting the implementation of research and innovation programmes. In collaboration with the public and private members of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (the European Commission and Hydrogen Europe), Hydrogen Europe Research’s members participate in the identification of annual and multi-annual research and innovation priorities and the elaboration of research topics included in yearly Annual Work Plans.

In addition, members can actively participate in our working groups, collaborating with other researchers to advance the hydrogen sector through focused initiatives and projects:

• Policy Working Group: it engages with European policy developments to ensure that the scientific community's voice is heard in shaping the hydrogen economy.
• Skills Working Group: it addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals in the hydrogen industry by identifying training needs and promoting educational initiatives.
• Low TRL Research Working Group: it focuses on early-stage research to explore and develop innovative hydrogen technologies, aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications. Discover our members insights in our Research Position Paper!
• R&T Infrastructures Working Group: it supports the integration of hydrogen technologies into various sectors by fostering collaboration among research institutions, industries, and governments.

If you are not yet a member and would like to learn more about joining us, please reach out to us at secretariat@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu!

Discover our membership criteria here!

MEMBERS' PROJECTS

Metrology Partnership projects launched in 2022 are entering their final phase. Coordinated by national metrology institutes across Europe, involving many members of Hydrogen Europe Research, these projects strongly support the EU’s Green Deal targets. Here we highlight three projects that tackle traceability, measurement standards, conformity assessment, and uncertainty in hydrogen supply, carbon capture & storage, and biomethane – all essential pillars for decarbonisation.

Met4H2, Metrology for the Hydrogen Supply Chain, aims to develop and integrate metrology (i.e., measurement infrastructure, reference standards, methods) to support the entire hydrogen supply chain, from production, through transmission, storage, distribution, to end use. The project’s outputs (standards, methods, uncertainty models) will feed directly into regulatory, industrial and standardisation frameworks – helping to remove barriers for hydrogen deployment.

BiometCAP, Protocol for SI-traceable Validation of Methods for Biomethane Conformity Assessment, is a normative project that will deliver accessible traceability to the stakeholder community by developing efficient and cost-effective methods for the preparation of traceable gas transfer standards for the performance evaluation of biomethane monitoring systems. BiometCAP’s outputs support reduce barriers, provide tools for conformity, reduce risk of damage and help open markets for stakeholders involved in gas, metrology, instrumentation and regulation. The project helps ensure that field measurements are credible, which is important for small producers, deployment and scale.

MetCCUS, Metrology Support for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, developed new metrology tools: primary standards, measurement methods, and best‐practice guidance to support industry in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Establishing metrology frameworks, creating reference standards and developing methods and sensors supports both research and commercial deployment.

Many HER members are active in these projects: NMIs, DIs, research organisations working on hydrogen, CCUS, biomethane, analytical instrumentation (BAM, DTU, NORCE, NPL, POLITO, RISE, Sintef Energy Research, University of Ljubljana, UNITO, VTT, TUBITAK, ZBT).

Final reports, protocols, good practice guides, scientific articles, and demonstration use cases will become available through their project websites and document repositories.

Photo from Joint Stakeholder Workshop, EMN Energy Gases Stakeholder Workshop in Delft (NL), March 26-27 2025 - Met4h2

EVENTS ATTENDED BY HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH

European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen "PIERO LUNGHI CONFERENCE" 2025, 17-19 September 2025, Capri, Italy

The European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Piero Lunghi Conference 2025 took place again in Italy, in the beautiful setting of Capri. The conference is one of the most important international conferences in the field of hydrogen technologies and fuel cells, as it provides a unique opportunity to showcase the latest technical advancements, establish new contacts, and promote the exchange of technical, industrial, and commercial information.

The event brought together academics, researchers, industry professionals, and public sector representatives to share experiences and research outcomes, covering all aspects of hydrogen technologies, fuel cells, and clean energy. HER President, Luigi Crema, was a speaker in the plenary session, with a focus on "Strategic Research Priorities for Hydrogen: A Roadmap Beyond 2030".

EVENTS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

ZBT Hydrogen Energy Symposium 2025, 12 November 2025, Duisburg, Germany

Join the ZBT Hydrogen Energy Symposium, hosted by the ZBT Research School! This event, taking place on November 12, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Fraunhofer InHaus Center, Forsthausweg 1, 47057 Duisburg, brings together researchers, experts, and enthusiasts for a full day dedicated to exploring advancements in hydrogen energy.

The symposium will feature insightful talks and engaging poster presentations from various fields of hydrogen energy research. Key topics which will be tackled are:

• Functional Materials and Electrochemical Systems
• Hydrogen Storage, Transportation, Safety, and Regulations
• Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers
• Hydrogen Applications in Transportation, Industry, and Energy Systems

Take a look at some highlights from the 2024 Hydrogen Energy Symposium here!

Spaces may be limited, so secure your spot early to avoid missing out!

European Hydrogen Energy Conference (EHEC) 2026, 11-13 March 2026, Seville, Spain 

The European Hydrogen Energy Conference (EHEC), Europe's benchmark forum on hydrogen technologies, is back!

Taking place in Seville, 11-13 March 2026, and organised by the Asociación Española del Hidrógeno (AeH2), EHEC provides a prestigious platform for researchers, technologists, and innovators to showcase their work to a global audience.

With 250+ scientific and technical sessions and strong international participation, the conference is designed to foster cross-border dialogue and accelerate the hydrogen transition.

Do not miss the chance to be part of one of Europe’s leading hydrogen events!

Discover more here!

Hydrogen Days 2026, 11-13 March 2026, Prague, Czech Republic 

The 16th edition of the international conference Hydrogen Days 2026 will take place on 11-13 March 2026 in Prague!

Over the years, Hydrogen Days has become a recognised platform for bringing together experts from research, industry, and policy, creating a space for dialogue on the latest developments and the future of the hydrogen sector. This year’s motto, “Hydrogen at the Crossroads: Courage to Continue”, reflects the challenges and opportunities shaping the path forward for hydrogen technologies in Europe.

Participants can look forward to:

• the latest research results and innovation
• insights into the evolving hydrogen value chain – from materials research to market deployment
• updates on legislative and regulatory frameworks
• discussions on financing and lessons learned from real-world project implementation

Hydrogen Days 2026 offers a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, foster new partnerships, and co-create the future of the hydrogen economy.

The organisers of Hydrogen Days 2026, Czech Hydrogen Technology Platform (HYTEP), invite the scientific community to submit abstracts now: showcase your research and contribute to the international dialogue on hydrogen! 

The abstract submission deadline is 14 November 2025. Check the requirements here!

Discover more about the conference here!

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