The third Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference will take place in Trondheim, Norway, on 28-29 April. The Nordic hydrogen research community has increased in size in recent years, contributing to and addressing the targets of carbon neutrality. This year we have partnered up with the Nordic Hydrogen Partnership to bridge research and business even further.
The Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs programme has aimed to fund excellent research in the Nordics, and now that the programme is transitioning to the next stage, Nordic Energy Research invites the hydrogen community to take stock of progress and roadmaps for hydrogen deployment in the Nordics. The first day of the conference will therefore focus on research results, while the second day will focus on business and policy.
We hope to see researchers, businesses, and authorities joining us for two days of in-depth critical discussions of the progress so far and roadmaps for 2030 and 2040. Our ambition is to create a message of actions for the Nordic countries to accelerate their investments, policies, and research to fulfill the strategic vision for the energy transition by the Nordic Council of Ministers, as well as the national goals.
The maximum number of participants is limited, so make sure to secure your spot.
Apr
28
Day 1
28 Apr, 2026
08:30
Trondheim, Norway
Programme
09.00-10.45
Session 1: Key findings from Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs
The five projects within the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys as Energy Hubs programme explore how hydrogen valleys can function as integrated energy hubs across the Nordic region. They examine the hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transport, infrastructure, safety, and cross-border coordination. Through system modelling, case studies, and stakeholder engagement, the projects identify viable pathways for scaling hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels in industry and port environments. The research addresses regulatory frameworks, technical barriers, and socio-economic conditions needed to accelerate deployment toward 2030 and 2040. Together, the projects provide strategic knowledge to support the development of competitive, safe, and interconnected Nordic hydrogen ecosystems.
Speakers:
- Opening remarks by Kent Ranum, Mayor of Trondheim
- Sigrid Lædre – Nordic Hydrogen Hubs – Roadmaps towards 2030 and 2040 (NordicH2ubs)
- Vigdis Olden – Material and Structural Integrity Assessment for safe Nordic Hydrogen Transportation Infrastructure (MatHias)
- Cecilia Wallmark – Hydrogen Safety and Improved Permit Processes (H2SIPP)
- Cecilia Wallmark – Hydrogen, Ammonia and Methanol in hydrogen hubs in the Nordic region (H2AMN)
- Johannes Felipe Giehl – Rally to the Valley: Establishing Hydrogen Value Chains for the Nordics (Nord_H2ub)
- Moderator: Klaus Skytte, CEO Nordic Energy Research
11.00-11.45
Session 2: Nordic Hydrogen Strongholds – Where Do We Go From Here?
The Nordics have world-leading competence and established networks of excellence in hydrogen research. What are the critical lessons learned from Nordic collaboration, and what should be focused on next?
This session will feature discussions between the key actors in hydrogen valleys, from research, business, valley operation and offtake.
Speakers:
- Tejs Laustsen Jensen, CEO, Brintbranchen/Hydrogen Denmark
- Kari Mäki, Research Professor, VTT
- Kyrre Sundseth, NORHyWAY, SINTEF
- Julia Hansson, Project lead, System Transition to Renewable Marine Fuels in the Nordics (STORM)
- Moderator: Claus Meineche, Director EUDP and Chair of Nordic Energy Research
11.45-13.00
Networking Lunch
13.00-15.30
Session 3: Hydrogen Valleys Roadmap for 2030 and 2040 (Workshop)
In this workshop conference participants will work together to develop a roadmap for Nordic hydrogen valleys. The workshop will include group discussions on key questions, with a particular focus on actions and actors, followed by a plenary where we jointly shape the foundation of the roadmap. Nordic research projects will participate to share their unique insights.
Groups will be formed based on the registration lists to ensure a strong mix of perspectives and productive discussions. We hope you are ready to contribute with an open mind and a creative mindset.
Moderator: Ruth Astrid Sæter
16.00-18.00
Session 4: Poster Session and Networking Mingle
Venue: Conference hall – Hotel Prinsen
The Nordic Hydrogen Valleys Conference 2026 will feature a dedicated poster session, providing an excellent opportunity for hydrogen projects, PhD research, scientific collaboration groups, networks and organisations to present their work and engage with the wider hydrogen community.
Participants are warmly invited to join the mingle, where light refreshments will be served.
Poster session – guidelines:
To ensure a smooth and well-organised poster session, please note the following guidelines:
- Posters should be in maximum size A2
- Posters will be mounted on the walls in the conference room using tack-it (provided by the organisers)
If you are planning to display anything beyond a standard poster (such as models, equipment, or similar), please contact the organisers in advance. This will allow us to assess whether the room capacity and setup can accommodate your request.
16.30-17.30
Side-event: From Green Corridors to Scalable Transport Networks – A Nordic Perspective
Venue: Hotel Prinsen
Organised by: RISE and SINTEF
This side event marks the official launch of a new Nordic Innovation report exploring how sustainable freight transport can move beyond corridor pilots toward scalable, network-based systems. The session highlights the need to align transport, energy, and digital systems to enable real-world adoption. Building on a Nordic collaboration across industry, research, and policy, the discussion focuses on how low-emission transport can become a competitive and repeatable choice for shippers. Networking will take place in the mingling area organized by the conference
18.00-19.00
Side-event: Meet & Mingle with Kraftkvinnene Norway
Venue: Kieglekroa, Kongens gate 30, (located in the same building as the conference)
Join us for an informal networking reception hosted by Kraftkvinnene Norway and Nordic Energy Research. This event is open to all conference participants interested in diversity, equality, and collaboration in the hydrogen and energy sector.
Light refreshments will be served.
Apr
29
Day 2
29 Apr, 2026
09:00
Trondheim, Norway
Programme
09.00-12.00
Session 5: Nothing is Too Big For the Smallest Atom
Organised by Nordic Hydrogen Partnership
The focus of the morning session is on heavy transport and the maritime use of hydrogen. We will hear from truck OEMs such as Volvo, infrastructure companies like Hydri, which has been building stations in Sweden, as well as ship operators (TBC) and harbours, for example the Port of Hirtshals. We will also hear from the newly established Norwegian hydrogen valley NORHyWAY, which recently received funding from the EU, as well as the Icelandic hydrogen valley HYCELAND. Findings from the series of truck projects Next Wave will be presented by the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum, along with a truck use-case presentation.
Speakers:
- Lin April Løstegard, Project Leader, Norwegian Hydrogen Forum
- Monica Johansson, Fuel and Energy analyst and Hydrogen Infrastructure Volvo Group, Volvo
- Mikael Antonsson, Chief Commercial Officer, Hydri AB
- Per Øyvind Vole, Managing Director, Vireon
- Mariann Ervik, Project Manager, Torghatten
- Ida Kallmyr Lerheim, Senior Business Developer EU, Renergy
- Reidun Svarva, Head of Business Development, Torghatten
- Moderators: Björn Aronsson, CEO Vatgas Sverige and Tejs Laustsen Jensen, CEO, Brintbranchen/Hydrogen Denmark
12.00-13.00
Networking Lunch
13.00-14.30
Session 6: Hubs, Harbours and Marine Use of Hydrogen (Workshop)
Organised by Nordic Hydrogen Partnership
A workshop will be held focusing on hubs, harbours, and the marine use of hydrogen. DNV will present findings from a Nordic roadmap for the introduction of sustainable zero-carbon fuels in shipping, with additional information on Phase II implementation and realisation. SINTEF will share findings from the NordicH2ubs project, followed by a panel with infrastructure and shipping companies, as well as representatives from infrastructure providers and harbours.
Speakers:
- Sigrid Lædre, Senior Research Scientist, SINTEF
- Julia Hansson, Senior Project Leader and Expert, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
- Thomas Björdal, Cluster Manager, Renergy
- Mikael Antonsson, Chief Commercial Officer, Hydri AB
- Per Øyvind Vole, Managing Director, Vireon
- Moderator: Jón Björn Skúlason, General Manager, Icelandic New Energy Ltd
15.00-15.45
Session 7: Bridging Ambitions and Implementation in Nordic Hydrogen
Organised by Nordic Energy Research and Nordic Hydrogen Partnership
The Nordic countries have set ambitious targets for hydrogen value chains to support the clean energy transition, but recent years have shown major gaps between goals and reality. How do we scale up, and how can Nordic collaboration play its role?
The session will ask what the region needs in terms of predictability, commitment from decision-makers and long-term strategies to turn goals into action.
Speakers:
- Mirela Atanasiu, Head of Unit Operations, Clean Hydrogen Partnership
- Kevin Johnsen, Senior Engineer, The Norwegian Energy Regulatory Authority
- More speakers to be announced.
- Moderator: Lise Nielson, Senior Advisor, Nordic Energy Research
15.45-16.00
Closing remarks
Closing remarks from the conference by Nordic Energy Research
Speakers:
- Klaus Skytte, CEO, Nordic Energy Research
- Jón Björn Skúlason, General Manager, Icelandic New Energy Ltd
- Mirela Atanasiu, Head of Unit Operations, Clean Hydrogen Partnership
16.00-17.30
Side-event: Norwegian Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Centre – Low Temperature Node
We are pleased to offer participants the opportunity to visit the Low Temperature node of the Norwegian Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Centre. The centre is a joint initiative between three major Norwegian R&D stakeholders – SINTEF, IFE and NTNU – engaged in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH) technologies, and has a clear nation-wide character and impact. The Low Temperature Node offers advanced laboratory facilities and expertise, supporting high-quality research, testing and validation of low temperature fuel cell and electrolyser technologies.
Please note that the site event has strictly limited capacity. Registration will therefore take place on-site during the conference.