HYPERION

HYPERION supports European regions in the complex process of taking up advanced Hydrogen (H2) solutions in various areas of their economic systems, as a move towards a smart and sustainable economic transition.

H2 can support the affordable decarbonisation of industry and can be produced by renewable energies. Public policy supports H2 integration in hard-to-abate and energy-intensive sectors and transport. A further policy focus in recent times is hydrogen valleys. The challenge is to identify and implement the most effective and place-based means of boosting the huge potential of H2. H2 currently makes up less than 2% of the EU’s energy mix and is still largely produced from fossil fuels (2022). A large and experienced group of partners participates in HYPERION to face this challenge through interregional learning. Their overall aim is to build regional ecosystems for a sustainable industrial transition based on H2 solutions, in synergy with S3/S4 strategies.

In this context, interregional learning is used to:

1. Understand the state of play in each territory (good practices for uptake of advanced H2 solutions in industry and transport and critical areas requiring better support);
2. Develop and implement policies to support a synergic uptake of advanced H2 solutions in industry and transport;
3. Create regional ecosystems based on the H2 supply chain, combining production, infrastructure, and involving key stakeholders;
4. Build capacity among public authorities to support a shift towards an economic system that integrates advanced H2 solutions in industry and transport.

Policy improvements are expected with new projects, management changes, and revisions to spatial plans, ERDF programmes, S3, and innovation/hydrogen strategies. By HYPERION's end, regions will be better placed to support an H2 future in their territories.