Period: 4.6.2024 - 31.3.2027

Content: The current energy transition is increasing the pressure for change throughout the energy system. Climate targets and fossil fuel risks will drive the uptake of renewables in the coming years. Increasing weather dependence of solar and wind power generation will require the whole energy system to become increasingly resilient. An important part of the energy system of the future will be energy storage in its various forms, allowing energy to be stored during windy or sunny weather for those times when there is less generation. The hydrogen economy of the future is based on the idea that when electricity is cheap, hydrogen is produced and can be stored, used as such or further processed into synthetic fuels. The same fuels can also be used in vehicles such as machinery, thus creating a closed carbon cycle that does not emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Storing and transporting energy as gas reduces pressure on electricity transmission networks, allows gas networks to be used as energy storage and, if necessary, to convert gas back into electricity at a time of higher prices.
In July 2020, the European Commission proposed a hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe. The strategy aims to accelerate the development of clean hydrogen and ensure its role as a cornerstone of a climate-neutral energy system by 2050. A strong EU investment in the
hydrogen economy will also make it more attractive in Pirkanmaa, Lapland and Ostrobothnia.
Finland has the potential to produce a significant share of all the clean hydrogen needed for the EU's RePower plan. The aim is that by 2030, the hydrogen economy will have become a new export pillar for Finland. The Government's 2021 Policy Statement also states that Finland will
strive to become a European leader in the hydrogen economy throughout the value chain. As in other emerging technologies, one of the bottlenecks in the hydrogen economy is seen as a shortage of competence. There are also safety issues, for example, that need to be addressed
before hydrogen can become widespread.
The main objective of the project is to provide the necessary skills and to better equip workers in regional companies to participate in the design and manufacturing of new green technology plants. The aim is that participants will have a strong understanding of the hydrogen economy
and its many potentials. The project will create training content to provide know-how to the production, synthesis, storage and use of hydrogen, knowledge of the safety of hydrogen processes, equipment and systems associated with the above main stages, and knowledge and support in the selection and design of equipment and systems for deployment. The project will develop a HYDROGEN-training concept, which will be piloted in SMEs on a regional basis in Pirkanmaa, Lapland and Ostrobothnia. The project is a joint project of three educational organisations, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Novia University of Applied Science and Lapland University of Applied Sciences.

Focus area: Hållbar energiteknik

Campus: Vasa Wolffskavägen 33

Financers: Europeiska socialfonden Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027

Project owner: Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu

Project manager: Sören Mattbäck

Partners: Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu, Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu