16 april 2025
On 26 March 2025, Dr Beata Kviatek, Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy at Hanze University of Applied Sciences and Project Leader of the Interreg Europe-funded UNLOCK project, contributed to a key European research and policy dialogue during a workshop organised by the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) at the University of Turin, Italy.
Dr Kviatek delivered a presentation titled “Strategic Governance of Green Hydrogen: Socioeconomic Transformations and Policy Imperatives in the UNLOCK Project” and participated in the panel discussion on “Hydrogen in Society & Economy.”
Her contribution reflected Hanze University of Applied Sciences’ growing engagement in EU-funded research and policy-aligned initiatives, and highlighted the relevance of Entrance – Centre of Expertise Energy in shaping regional responses to Europe’s green hydrogen transition.
Established in 2008, the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) is Europe’s largest collaborative energy research community, comprising over 250 public research institutions and universities across more than 30 countries. EERA plays a central role in supporting the European Union’s Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) through joint research and coordinated innovation efforts.
The Turin workshop was co-organised by two EERA Joint Programmes:
The programme aimed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue between the social sciences and STEM fields, with a particular focus on the societal and economic dimensions of hydrogen deployment.
Hosted at the Luigi Einaudi Campus of the University of Turin, the event was opened by Professor Egidio Dansero, Vice Rector for Sustainability. Keynote speakers included:
The workshop’s programme featured two thematic sessions:
One dedicated to technological developments in hydrogen (electrolysers, storage, and lifecycle assessments), and another exploring governance, public perception, and energy justice. Dr Kviatek’s intervention added a much-needed perspective on the intersection of policy, governance, and societal transformation.
Dr Kviatek’s presentation offered an applied research perspective from the UNLOCK project, which supports interregional cooperation and capacity-building among regional authorities. Her talk highlighted the importance of strategic governance models that incorporate:
She presented a practical framework for inclusive hydrogen policy-making, empowering regional governments, SMEs, and local ecosystems to address both the opportunities and challenges of hydrogen adoption.
Drawing on UNLOCK’s research across diverse European contexts, Dr Kviatek highlighted how hydrogen transitions must go beyond technological innovation to address structural, institutional, and societal challenges.
Her presentation underscored that green hydrogen development requires not only infrastructure and investment, but also thoughtful governance, community engagement, and integrated policy frameworks that reflect local realities and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
This perspective is essential to advancing a just and effective transition in line with EU climate goals.
Dr Kviatek’s participation in this high-level European forum reinforces Hanze University’s role as a trusted research and innovation partner in Europe’s energy transition landscape. It affirms the university’s expertise in combining applied research with policy-relevant contributions on sustainable energy topics.
Moreover, Entrance – Centre of Expertise Energy continues to demonstrate its function as a living lab for energy innovation, offering practical tools and frameworks to guide regional authorities, policymakers, and stakeholders navigating the transition to a green hydrogen economy.
This engagement also signals to regional governments, hydrogen ecosystem actors, and international partners that Hanze is actively contributing to the shaping of Europe’s next-generation energy policies.
