News

Academic Hydrogen Research Forum Finland established

Published: 16.6.2022

The transition towards a hydrogen economy is necessary to radically cut down carbon emissions and it will have a key role in the energy systems, industry and transport of the developed carbon-neutral society.

Finland’s central universities and research institutions have agreed on a new partnership by establishing Hydrogen Research Forum Finland. The forum promotes Finnish hydrogen competence through action plans, visions of the future and communication, representing academic operators alongside other hydrogen operators.

The key missions of Hydrogen Research Forum Finland are:

Promoting a national hydrogen action plan and visions of the future for research and education
Providing a communication forum for research actions
Strengthening education of the hydrogen economy through communication, joint planning and events
Providing a channel for independent and research-based information to support decision-making
Increasing the academic visibility of Finnish research on hydrogen and the hydrogen transition, both nationally and internationally

Hydrogen Research Forum Finland’s partnership includes Aalto University, LUT University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Åbo Akademi University, the universities of Jyväskylä, Turku, Tampere, and Vaasa as well as the University of Oulu, which will initially coordinate the forum’s operations.

The hydrogen transition has given rise to a vast number of alliances operating from different perspectives, such as Hydrogen Cluster Finland, formed by corporate operators. The need for research-based open and independent discussion has been recognised in the hydrogen transition and related research, which the academic operators are addressing through Hydrogen Research Forum Finland.

Where necessary, Hydrogen Research Forum Finland also serves as an operator representing academic research alongside the national private or public sector hydrogen alliances.

'Hydrogen Research Forum Finland is a forum for those in hydrogen research and for those interested in hydrogen research, enabling more holistic views to be formed. This is also important for the establishment of a comprehensive national hydrogen action plan that would make Finland an internationally competitive operator in the hydrogen transition. The forum also brings academic operators together as partners in discussion to support national decision-making,' explains Timo Fabritius, Professor at the University of Oulu and Coordinator at Hydrogen Research Forum Finland.

hydrogen flame propagation — Hydrogen flame propagation measured in a combustion chamber by Aalto University Energy Conversion research group using high speed cameras. The picture reveals density variations recorded by so called Schlieren method.

'Aalto University research and education will play a key role in national hydrogen collaboration. The transition from fossil raw materials creates needs for new openings in both energy sector and chemical industry. This is a great opportunity for many technological sectors, economy and society,' says Professor Martti Larmi, Head of the Energy Conversion Research Group,

In the hydrogen economy, it is to be expected that there will be fierce international competition between different technologies, and there are thousands of hydrogen projects in the pipeline both in Europe and globally. Finland has all the tools to succeed in the international hydrogen market.

Focal points for the entire hydrogen value chain in hydrogen production, logistics and utilisation

'The partners of Hydrogen Research Forum Finland cover the entire hydrogen value chain, providing a strong and easily accessible knowledge base promoting Finland’s position in the international hydrogen collaboration,' says Antti Arasto, VTT's Vice President for Industrial energy and hydrogen.

The first step in the forum’s work is to devise a proposal on a national hydrogen action plan. The action plan will account for the development of the required research infrastructure, national and international cooperation as well as the impact of the hydrogen transition on society as a whole. An international conference around the theme of hydrogen is being planned for 2023 to summarise the intensifying national dialogue.

On the basis of their ongoing research, the partners of Hydrogen Research Forum Finland are enhancing their activities in hydrogen production, transmission and utilisation.

Further information

Professor Martti Larmi, [email protected], tel. +358 (0)50 569 5625

Professor Jukka Seppälä, [email protected], tel. +358 (0)40 070 1142