Local perspectives and stakeholder collaboration support the development of the hydrogen economy

Aliisa Aura, a project researcher in the H2Go Investigate project, studies the business and social acceptance of green hydrogen. In spring 2026, she collected research data by interviewing passersby in central Oulu to explore local residents' experiences and views on green hydrogen.

In September, Aura presented her analysis of the interview data to representatives of the City of Oulu at the city's Environmental House. The city has been an important partner in the research, particularly in helping to raise awareness of the research activities.

“As the hydrogen economy develops, the regional impacts of green hydrogen are becoming an increasingly visible and tangible part of society, also in Northern Ostrobothnia. Research has shown that social acceptance is one of the key factors influencing the adoption of renewable energy and the green transition. This is why engaging and listening to different stakeholders plays a central role in the research conducted within the H2Go projects,” Aura explains.

Co-creating solutions to advance hydrogen refuelling

The H2Go projects also organised a stakeholder workshop that brought together experts from the University of Oulu, the logistics sector, transport and regional planning, and the energy industry to explore opportunities for developing green hydrogen use in transport.

The workshop focused on a mobile hydrogen refuelling station recently delivered to Utajärvi, which is also planned to be piloted in Oulu at a later stage. Using co-design methods, participants explored the factors affecting the development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration between different stakeholders.

Discussions highlighted a particular need for accessible networking events that would bring together experts working with green hydrogen across sectoral boundaries. The workshop also revealed a strong commitment to advancing the use of hydrogen in transport in the region.

The research and development activities carried out within the H2Go projects bring together technological solutions with an understanding of people's perspectives, business conditions and stakeholder collaboration. Integrating these perspectives supports the development of the hydrogen economy in Northern Ostrobothnia.