Hydrogen - The Systemic Innovation Cluster for Excellence (Hydrogen SIC! / H2SIC)

Luleå University of Technology is leading a national feasibility study with the aim of establishing a future Swedish cluster of excellence in fossil-free hydrogen. The feasibility study is being carried out within the framework of Vinnova's investment in clusters of excellence in collaboration with the Swedish Research Council and aims to lay the foundation for research and innovation environments at an international top level by 2035.

The project brings together leading Swedish actors from academia, industry and society to develop a joint long-term plan for how hydrogen as an energy carrier can contribute to strengthened competitiveness, increased security of supply and an accelerated green transition. The work covers the entire hydrogen chain, from production, storage and distribution to use, component manufacturing, system integration and recycling. Both technical, societal and systemic perspectives are included.

The feasibility study is part of Vinnova's program for pioneering technology areas, where the goal is to develop strategic excellence environments in, among other things, energy, materials and production technology, digitization and biotechnology. The project analyzes how research, innovation, industrial development and policy can interact in a coherent innovation system with global reach.

The vision is that by 2035 Sweden will be a world leader in climate-positive hydrogen-related solutions. The future cluster of excellence will contribute to hydrogen-based products and services becoming a significant part of Swedish exports, while strengthening the industry's transition and society's resilience. The project builds on existing Swedish strengths, such as industrial initiatives in fossil-free steel production and energy systems, as well as established research environments in hydrogen.

The feasibility study is led by Luleå University of Technology through the Center for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden (CH2ESS) and is carried out in collaboration with a broad consortium consisting of universities, research institutes, innovation environments and industrial partners. The work is open to more actors who want to contribute to shaping the vision and long-term structure.

The project will run until spring 2026 and will result in a concrete proposal for the organization, governance and financing of a future cluster of excellence. The aim is to create a strong and coherent national initiative on fossil-free hydrogen with a clear international profile.

As part of the feasibility study, a workshop was held at the Swedish Hydrogen Conference, attended by over 300 representatives from industry, academia, authorities and innovation organizations. The workshop focused on the current situation, future potential and key enablers for hydrogen development in Sweden, with a particular focus on system integration, regulations, skills supply and coordination between actors. The discussions confirmed that technical feasibility is largely in place, while institutional and system-related issues are increasingly crucial for further development.

The feasibility study builds on the results of the workshop and is open to further input from relevant stakeholders who want to help shape the long-term direction towards 2035.

Provide input to the feasibility study

Interested stakeholders can contribute through a digital form where perspectives, priorities and development needs for hydrogen in Sweden are collected. It is also possible to register interest in continued participation in the project's dialogues and workshops.

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• Background report for the project Hydrogen SIC! pdf, 742.8 kB.
  In Swedish