The H2CE partnership developed and tested a Regional H2 Competence Centre approach in Graz to support the hydrogen transition in Styria.
The work contributed to a common framework that could be adapted to the resources, stakeholder structures and expertise needs of different regions.
Functions of the competence centre
The approach focused on:
- identifying existing regional hydrogen expertise;
- assessing missing skills and support needs;
- connecting public authorities, businesses and experts;
- defining profiles of hydrogen specialists;
- supporting knowledge transfer; and
- developing training pathways for public- and private-sector stakeholders.
A flexible regional model
The framework did not assume that every region needed an entirely new physical institution. Instead, it defined the functions and services that a Regional H2 Competence Centre could provide.
This allowed regions to build on existing energy agencies, public bodies, research institutions and business-support organisations.
Lessons learned
The Styria pilot showed that a competence centre needed:
- a clearly defined target group;
- services responding to verified regional needs;
- access to technical, regulatory and financial expertise;
- strong links between public authorities and the private sector; and
- a sustainable organisational model.
The pilot contributed to the evaluation of whether the approach could be transferred to other European regions. It demonstrated that regional hydrogen readiness depended not only on infrastructure, but also on people, skills and institutions capable of coordinating implementation.