Hydrogen Enabled Resilient and Climate Neutral Future H2ERA

H2ERA is designed as a nationally coordinated, interdisciplinary initiative that brings together complementary scientific, technological, and societal perspectives to address complex challenges of the hydrogen transition. In addition to core strengths in physics, chemistry, and materials science, the programme will intentionally expand to cover engineering disciplines (including energy systems, process engineering, and manufacturing), data science and artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, systems modelling and social sciences, economics, and policy research to ensure societal relevance, regulatory readiness, and public acceptance.
H2ERA2

Project information

Project duration

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Project coordinator

University of Oulu

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Project description

H2ERA is grounded in global drivers such as the climate crisis, Arctic urgency, geopolitical instability, and growing inequality, positioning Finland as a proactive contributor to EU strategic autonomy through hydrogen-led solutions. With Finland at the epicentre, the programme leverages national strengths in biomass and bio-CO₂ availability, clean electricity, and industrial transformation, particularly in steel, marine industries, forestry, and emerging e-fuels and transport solutions. A core objective is to enhance societal resilience at regional, national, and Arctic–EU levels by strengthening energy security, affordability, food and supply-chain resilience, and readiness for extreme and off-grid conditions. To ensure a just and durable transition, the initiative integrates technological development—ranging from advanced hydrogen production, storage, and derivatives to consumer-facing solutions—with social interaction, trust-building, and international collaboration.