The H2 Convention 2024, organised by The Innovation in Politics Institute from 26 to 28 November in Linz, Austria, was a significant success, cementing its status as a premier platform for advancing hydrogen technology and industry transformation.
In 2024, the transformation of industry towards climate neutrality using hydrogen clearly picked up speed in Upper Austria and the greater Linz area. Therefore, the focus of the H2 Convention 2024 was also on the lead projects of the Upper Austrian start-up network and the next steps for the rapid implementation of energy-intensive production in the greater Linz area.
This year, the H2 Convention, with a record number of visitors, became Austria’s largest hydrogen event. The Innovation in Politics Institute was involved in developing this platform from the very beginning and once again acted as an organiser this year.
Around 600 pupils, students, and interested citizens attended the public day to learn more about hydrogen as a building block of the energy transition and the wide range of career opportunities in the hydrogen economy.
Here are some highlights from the (stage) program:
- Students presented their Minecraft project “MC Hydro” – an innovative Minecraft mod that brings the topic of hydrogen to life in a playful way. The project is currently on display at the Ars Electronica Center.
- Virtual reality workshop for an up-close experience of the energy supply of the future LINZ AG & Verein Energiewende Linz
- “The fascinating world of gases and where they accompany us in everyday life” by Linde Gas, including live experiments
- “Austria’s next top energy model” (Austrian Gas Grid Management)
More than 380 participants took advantage of various dialogue-oriented formats, such as workshops and exchange sessions, during the one-and-a-half-day conference. Partners and renowned project sponsors from Austria and abroad presented specific H2 projects and activities that are already being implemented at regional, national, and international levels and exchanged experiences and lessons learned.
Governor of Upper Austria, Thomas Stelzer summed it up as follows: “Upper Austria is the No. 1 economic and industrial province and hydrogen will be a key technology in the energy transition. That’s why the convention is so important: because it brings together all the players who can show the way to make this a success.”
