Climate change must be stopped – Tampere Universities tackle the challenges of the hydrogen economy

Producing and storing hydrogen, which is the world’s lightest element and extremely flammable, is both expensive and challenging. The production process is energy-intensive, and hydrogen must be stored at high pressure in specialised containers. 

“Without a compelling need, I doubt anyone would invest in hydrogen as a fuel,” says Yrjö Majanne, a Specialist in Automation Technology at Tampere University. 

Nevertheless, we must act to halt the inexorable progress of climate change by drastically reducing our consumption of fossil fuels.

“We must transition to electric alternatives wherever possible and ensure they utilise renewable energy. In cases where electrification is not possible, green hydrogen and its derivatives can serve as viable alternatives,” Majanne says.

For instance, long-distance air and marine traffic cannot rely on battery-stored electricity, at least not yet, because storing the required amount of energy would necessitate enormous and heavy batteries. Moreover, the global supply of critical minerals for electric vehicles is not enough to electrify all traffic.

Another sector that cannot rely solely on electricity is heavy industry. Many industrial processes require extremely high temperatures exceeding 1,000˚C, which electric alternatives cannot achieve. However, these temperatures can be attained by burning hydrogen.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

Hydrogen can be used in energy production in two distinct ways.

Firstly, it can be stored and subsequently burned for energy. The second alternative is to produce e-fuels, such as e-methanol or e-methane, from hydrogen and carbon dioxide that are compatible, for example, with the engines of heavy-duty machinery. 

If hydrogen production is powered by renewable energy sources such as wind, solar or low-carbon nuclear energy, it generates no carbon dioxide emissions during production and consumption. The consumption of hydrocarbon-based e-fuels is carbon-neutral, if they are produced using green or clean hydrogen and bio-based carbon dioxide. 

Bio-based carbon dioxide can be captured, for example, from the flue gases of pulp mills. It could turn out to be a valuable by-product for Finland and Sweden, both of which have sizeable forest industries.

“The waste heat generated during hydrogen production can be recovered and exploited as a heat source, for example, in district heating networks. This enhances the profitability of hydrogen production,” says Kai Hämäläinen, a Partnership Manager at Tampere University.

Becoming a global leader in the hydrogen economy will not happen without significant investments. We need to construct new hydrogen production and processing plants, upgrade power grid, build hydrogen transmission pipelines and more wind farms.

Finland is in a prime position to become a global leader in the hydrogen economy due to its ample space for new wind farms, robust power grid, abundant water resources and access to the necessary high-tech expertise for advancing the hydrogen economy. 

However, achieving this potential requires significant investments: new hydrogen production and processing plants must be constructed, the power grid must be upgraded, and hydrogen pipelines from wind farms to processing plants must be built. In addition, the number of wind farms must be substantially increased.

“Hydrogen is poised to radically transform the national economy, the energy market and society as a whole,” Yrjö Majanne summarises.

Diverse and multidisciplinary research 

Researchers at Tampere Universities are developing innovative solutions to harness the potential of hydrogen as an energy carrier more effectively and safely. They collaborate closely with other universities and research institutions.

“This multifaceted research crosses disciplinary boundaries, spanning not only various fields of engineering but also natural sciences, business studies and social sciences,” says Kai Hämäläinen. 

At Tampere University, researchers are pioneering new biological methods for producing fuels and chemicals from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. They are investigating ways to increase the efficiency of hydrogen production and designing more durable materials for transporting and storing hydrogen. They are also developing artificial photosynthesis that converts carbon dioxide and water into various chemicals using sunlight. 

Research groups specialising in electrical engineering and automation technology are analysing and modelling how to integrate hydrogen production with power systems, as the whole energy system must accommodate the massive expansion of renewable energy that has a variable output dependent on weather conditions. Meanwhile, business scientists are exploring ways to make the hydrogen economy profitable.

Professor of International Relations Pami Aalto brings a geopolitical perspective to hydrogen research. His group is investigating the external threats that Finland must prepare for while building new hydrogen production and processing plants, storage facilities and pipelines.

“As this type of critical infrastructure may attract the interest of hostile parties, we should develop a system that is as resistant to disruptions and sabotage as possible,” says Aalto. 

Education is essential alongside research

Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) has also invested in hydrogen research. TAMK is currently setting up an experimental facility to help local companies address the technical challenges related to the production, storage and consumption of hydrogen. 

In 2025, TAMK will launch a large-scale research project on hydrogen safety, conducted in collaboration with the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Aalto University and energy companies, such as Fortum and Neste.

“Our role in the project is to develop a comprehensive hydrogen safety manual for companies,” says Principal Lecturer of Electrical Engineering Aki Korpela from TAMK.

Yrjö Majanne emphasises the importance of education alongside research and product development to ensure that companies in the hydrogen sector have access to a skilled workforce in the future. Courses tailored to the needs of the hydrogen sector are already available at both Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

“We need to offer educational programmes from upper secondary to tertiary levels that provide students with an understanding of hydrogen and how to work with it. Educational institutions have recognised this demand and are responding accordingly,” Majanne says.