Following our earlier News announcement, the H2CoVE study visits have now been successfully completed. The excursion brought together consortium partners and vocational educators for a full-day, practice-oriented exploration of hydrogen technologies along the Brenner Corridor.
H2CoVE 2026 Site Visits in Austria
From Announcement to Hands-on Experience
Following our earlier News announcement, the H2CoVE study visits have now been successfully completed. The excursion brought together consortium partners and vocational educators for a full-day, practice-oriented exploration of hydrogen technologies along the Brenner Corridor.
Purpose of the Excursion
The site visits were designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Participants were able to:
- Observe operational hydrogen projects across different stages of the value chain
- Understand how regional ecosystems support hydrogen deployment
- Exchange perspectives on vocational training needs in the hydrogen sector
- Identify skills and competencies required for future hydrogen-related jobs.
Participating Regions
The visit gathered representatives from across Europe, reinforcing the collaborative nature of H2CoVE:
- Vestland (Norway)
- Northern Netherlands
- Tyrol (Austria)
- Estonia
This diverse group enabled cross-country knowledge exchange and comparison of regional hydrogen strategies.
Site Visits Overview
IIT Hydrogen - Bolzano (Italy)
A flagship example of green hydrogen production, where renewable electricity is used to generate hydrogen via electrolysis. Participants explored:
- The technical setup of hydrogen production systems
- Integration with renewable energy sources
- Challenges related to scalability and cost efficiency
MPREIS Hydrogen Site – Völs (HyWest, Austria)
Part of the HyWest Regional Hydrogen Economy, this site demonstrated how hydrogen is applied in business operations. Key insights included:
- Use of hydrogen in logistics and transport
- Role of companies in building regional hydrogen ecosystems
- Importance of infrastructure and distribution networks
Green Energy Center Europe – Innsbruck (Austria)
Operated by FEN Research GmbH, this Living Lab focuses on innovation and applied research. Participants learned about:
- Pilot projects and experimental hydrogen applications
- Collaboration between research, industry, and education
- The role of Living Labs in accelerating technology adoption
Across all visits, several common themes emerged:
- Hydrogen development depends heavily on regional collaboration
- A functioning ecosystem requires alignment between production, infrastructure, and end-use
- Vocational education and training (VET) plays a critical role in preparing the workforce
- Real-world exposure significantly enhances understanding compared to theoretical learning alone
The visited sites collectively illustrate how hydrogen initiatives are evolving along the Brenner Corridor, one of Europe’s most important transport and energy routes. The corridor serves as a practical example of how hydrogen can:
- Support decarbonisation of transport and logistics
- Enable cross-border energy integration
- Act as a backbone for a connected European hydrogen economy
Acknowledgment
The consortium extends its sincere thanks to Edmund Gasteiger and Claudio Vitalini for their expert guidance and warm hospitality throughout the visit in IIT Hydrogen in Bolzano.
Additional Links & Insights:
H2CoVE
