The H2CE Final Conference took place in Berlin on 25 March 2026 under the theme “Strengthening the H2CE Hydrogen-Ready Regions Network.”
Hosted by the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing, the hybrid event brought together public authorities, researchers, energy experts and project partners from across central Europe.
Results presented
The conference presented H2CE’s principal achievements:
- regional hydrogen analyses, strategies and planning approaches;
- GIS-based strategic decision-support tools;
- the Energy Cells Model tested in Lübben;
- approaches for Regional H2 Competence Centres;
- the hydrogen-voucher methodology;
- the H2CE position paper;
- the H2CE Collaboration Platform; and
- the Network of Hydrogen-Ready Regions.
The Veneto GIS tool demonstrated how spatial data could help authorities assess hydrogen demand, infrastructure and regional development scenarios.
Main lessons
Keynote speaker Jorgo Chatzimarkakis of Hydrogen Europe highlighted the need to move from hydrogen strategies to practical implementation.
The discussions underlined that:
- hydrogen was most relevant in sectors that were difficult to electrify directly;
- production, transport, storage and demand had to be planned together;
- projects required credible users and economically viable business models;
- clear regulation was necessary to support investment;
- communication, education and citizen acceptance helped build trust; and
- visible pilot projects made regional strategies more tangible.
Long-term value
The conference concluded the H2CE implementation period while establishing a basis for continued cooperation.
The H2CE Collaboration Platform preserved access to the project’s tools and knowledge, while the Network of Hydrogen-Ready Regions supported further peer learning, expert exchange and joint initiatives after project closure.
Available materials
The final project results remained available through the H2CE project website and the H2CE Collaboration Platform.