How to Build a Successful Hydrogen Research Cluster
August 28, 2026
Minna Näsman
Luleå University of Technology's hydrogen research programme, CH2ESS, celebrated its fifth anniversary this week during its annual research days. The programme provided an interesting answer to the question of what makes a successful knowledge and
innovation cluster.
CH2ESS's first director, Rikard Gebart, described the intense four months at the beginning of 2021 based on his calendar notes. According to him, everything started with the disruptive vision of a nationally important major company: LKAB's future need for hydrogen to produce steel without fossil fuels.
LTU already had strong basic research linked to this and other industries. For example, research on biofuels had resulted in an industrial testing infrastructure, LTU Green Fuels in Piteå. However, LKAB's vision forced the university to ask how research and development activities could be rapidly scaled up to meet these radically changing needs. One of the easier conclusions was that LTU Green Fuels in Piteå needed an electrolyser.
Photo: Ali Valizadeh, Minna Näsman
Decision-making gained further momentum through a steel industry start-up that at the time was called H2 Green Steel. Together with LKAB, it had a strong interest in industrial research environments where new processes could be tested before production facilities were built. Consequently, the university's initiative to create a hydrogen competence cluster received solid support from these companies.
According to Gebart, all that was additionally required at the outset was a university organisation capable of making quick decisions and an efficient media strategy: a project name, a sign attached to the existing test facility, and the necessary permits and funding to organise operations when CH2ESS was launched.
“An important success factor was that we trusted our instincts and had the courage to get going although all details hadn’t been worked out at the start. The details can be figured out later but to get going with confidence is key when time is short,” he summarizes.
Photo: Minna Näsman
Gebart also credited the continued success to a persistent project manager (Fredrik Granberg), business-world "super-networker" (Mox Murugan), an internationally recognised external hydrogen researcher who acted as a mentor to the project (Bruno G. Pollet), and a younger leader with strong interpersonal skills who took responsibility for steering a wise research agenda (Cecilia Wallmark).
What Happened Next?
The next steps were typical university activities: preparing project applications, conducting research, presenting results, and submitting new project proposals.
Companies were able to expand their research and development activities using the university's infrastructure, while the university benefited from the companies' use cases, infrastructure, and background knowledge.
Where Are We Now?
Regarding infrastructure development, after five years the programme is now reaching the major milestone of adding the first electrolyser to the site in Piteå. During the research days, the supplier of the electrolyser was announced to be Bosch.
The first research projects have already begun producing results. The project portfolio covers a wide range of hydrogen-related topics, from fire safety and coatings to the development of different hydrogen production methods and the social acceptance of these solutions.
Photo: Ali Valizadeh
On the industrial side, green steel production is underway at SSAB's facilities in Luleå, while the production plant of the start-up now known as Stegra is being built in Boden.
Sweden currently has around 500 researchers who have published hydrogen-related studies, and CH2ESS, in its broader context, serves as an inspiring example for both regions and universities in neighboring countries, including Finland.
What Was Required?
In summary, the research days highlighted at least the following prerequisites for creating a successful competence cluster like CH2ESS:
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Persistence to continue from one project to the next despite setbacks
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Strategic vision regarding the direction of research and the types of project funding sought
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International research and industry collaboration
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A favourable moment in time, or momentum
What Comes Next?
CH2ESS is taking the initiative in seeking long-term funding for a national hydrogen research centre of excellence. In December, it will be decided which around eight projects will receive ten years of national funding from a pool of 65 applicants.
Norway already has two such centres, and on the Finnish side, the University of Oulu has applied for similar funding for a period of 4+4 years.
The regions around the Gulf of Bothnia are united by university-industry cooperation, particularly in the steel and chemical industries. The need for rapid scaling of clean, fossil-free solutions has not diminished. Beyond steel production, such solutions are also needed for aviation fuels, maritime fuels, and fertilisers.
These competence clusters still have room to strengthen their support for local communities and decision-makers navigating this transition. This can be achieved by reinforcing the role of social sciences and humanities when planning research projects. Hydrogen exists within a broader context that includes not only energy but also developments in sectors such as ICT. Municipalities and cities across the region are already struggling with decision-making related to these developments.
Photo: Minna Näsman, Ali Valizadeh
Based on that theme as well, we thank CH2ESS for the Research Days 2026 and warmly welcome CH2ESS researchers to continue the discussion during Hydrogen and Data Week in Oulu in February 2026!