The first hybrid Knowledge Transfer workshop of the REFORMERS Project brought together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders both on-site in Murau (Austria) and online to explore strategies and practical tools for establishing Renewable Energy Valleys across Europe. The event highlighted the progress, challenges, and collaborative efforts behind Europe’s push for energy autonomy and a sustainable future.
You can download the presentations of the workshop and watch the recording .
Knowledge Transfer Workshop: Lessons learnt from Renewable Energy valleys
The workshop opened with an introduction by Harald Kraxner, CEO of Holzwelt Murau (one of REFORMERS’s replication valleys), and a presentation by Natalie Hoffmann, who outlined the region’s vision and renewable energy sources. She also indicated that Murau produces four times more renewable energy than it consumes annually, yet must still import power in winter due to seasonal overproduction and limited storage. While 75–80% of households use renewable heating, 20–25% still rely on oil, and the lack of a local gas grid and high storage costs further complicate balancing supply and demand.
Joep Sanderink, REFORMERS Flagship Valley Coordinator, shared insights from the Netherlands’ pioneering work. The Flagship Valley integrates multiple energy carriers (hydrogen, heat, electricity, and biomethane) into a single, interconnected system. He emphasized the importance of energy hubs in addressing grid congestion, a major challenge in the region. He also highlighted the following challenges: aligning diverse stakeholder interests (local governments, DSOs), adapting to rapidly changing technologies, and navigating legal and permitting hurdles.
Geerte de Jong, Project Manager of the HEAVENN Hydrogen Valley, shared her experiences from Europe’s first official hydrogen valley. Launched in 2020, Heaven aims to create a complete hydrogen ecosystem, from production and storage to transport and end-use applications. However, the project has faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the hydrogen market’s volatility. She advised future projects to build flexibility into their plans and to secure Final Investment Decisions (FID) as quickly as possible to avoid rising costs and market shifts.
Susanna Kupiainen, Communications Expert for the BalticSeaH2 Project, presented a unique model: a cross-border hydrogen valley spanning Finland and Estonia. The project leverages Finland’s clean grid and abundant space for wind power, as well as Estonia’s proximity and existing infrastructure, to create a sector-integrated hydrogen ecosystem. Despite challenges like partner bankruptcies and failed use cases, the team remains committed to sharing lessons and raising barriers early to mitigate risks.
