On October 8–9, Tartu Hydrogen Days will celebrate their tenth anniversary. Befitting the milestone, this year’s program is grander than usual: alongside a conference featuring international keynote speakers, there will be a hydrogen technology EXPO and a student hydrogen hackathon, where students will seek solutions to the challenges of Estonia’s future hydrogen society.
Taking place at the University of Tartu Physicum and the University of Tartu Library, the anniversary conference is titled “From Molecules to Markets” and brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, technology developers, and industry leaders from Estonia and across Europe.
Over two days, the development of the hydrogen sector will be examined through the past, present, and future: what scientific achievements and pilot projects have been reached, how industrial applications stem from them, and which technologies are shaping the next phase of the sector’s development.
“The strength of Hydrogen Days lies in the opportunity to hear within the same program the experiences of scientists, technology developers, and builders of international hydrogen ecosystems. This helps participants better evaluate where the field is heading, find new perspectives for their projects, and meet potential partners,” said Priit Ilomets, Head of the Hydrogen Technologies Unit at Metrosert.
Five Perspectives on Hydrogen’s Journey from Molecules to Markets
Five keynote speakers will address the conference topics:
On October 8 at the University of Tartu Physicum:
- Academician Enn Lust, Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Tartu – how Tartu and Estonia were put on the hydrogen technology map and what current research and pilot projects teach us.
- Adwin Martens, Founder and Strategy Director of WaterstofNet – how to transition from individual pilot projects to a functioning industrial hydrogen ecosystem, and what can be learned from establishing a network uniting over 150 partners in the Benelux region.
- Aivars Starikovs, Board Member of Hydrogen Europe and the Latvian Hydrogen Association – how to bring scientific achievements to market and shape hydrogen ambitions into investable and actionable projects.
The first day of the conference will be opened by Toomas Asser, Rector of the University of Tartu.
On October 9 at the University of Tartu Library:
- Ove Oll, Research Fellow in Physical Chemistry at the University of Tartu – what opportunities next-generation electrolysis, material, and energy technologies create, and how new solutions move from the lab into broader use.
- Elo Ellermaa, Communications Strategist – how to explain complex technologies, engage communities, and build the awareness and trust necessary for adopting new energy solutions.
The second day will be opened by Urmas Klaas, Mayor of Tartu.
Students Search for Solutions for Estonia’s Hydrogen Society
As part of Tartu Hydrogen Days, a student hackathon titled “Hackers and Visionaries” will take place on October 7 at the University of Tartu Chemicum, where 32 students from various universities and disciplines will seek solutions for the challenge “Hydrogen Society 2040 – How to Solve Storage and Transport Issues in Estonia?”.
Teams can propose technological solutions, infrastructure or logistics models, and new business models. The best ideas will reach the conference finals on October 9, where the winner will be decided based on jury evaluation and public voting.
Hydrogen Technologies Move from the Conference Hall into Urban Space
On the second day of the conference, a grand hydrogen technology EXPO will open at the University of Tartu Library, accessible to city residents as well. In addition to numerous displays inside the library, large-scale hydrogen solutions will be showcased outside in front of the building.
In the outdoor area, visitors can closely inspect hydrogen-powered vehicles and transport solutions, including Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo passenger cars, the Caetano H2 CityGold hydrogen bus, a Hycon truck, and a hydrogen trailer.
“The EXPO gives interested visitors a chance to see which hydrogen solutions are already actively in use or reaching the next development stage, and to meet the companies and experts developing and using them,” confirmed Priit Ilomets.
You Still Have Time to Register!
Entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, representatives of the public sector and local municipalities, students, and everyone who wants to understand the possibilities of hydrogen technologies and their journey from science to market are invited to the 10th Tartu Hydrogen Days.
The 10th Tartu Hydrogen Days will take place on October 8–9 at the University of Tartu. When registering, participants can choose one or both conference days, visiting the EXPO, or participating online.
Tartu Hydrogen Days are organized by Metrosert, Estonia’s applied research center and central metrology institution, in cooperation with the University of Tartu, TalTech Virumaa College, Tartu Vocational College VOCO, Alexela, Port of Tallinn, and the Latvian Hydrogen Association.