Trentino launches new hydrogen hub

From Trentino, one of Europe’s most advanced ecosystems dedicated to hydrogen technologies is taking shape. With the laying of the foundation stone for the new Hydrogen Hub, construction begins on FBK’s new facilities, the scientific and technological core of an infrastructure designed to position itself within the strategic value chains of the energy transition. The project is part of the roadmap established by the Autonomous Province of Trento through the strategy approved on January 31, 2025, which defines the province’s approach to research, innovation, and technological development in hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives, batteries, and energy storage systems. The strategy builds on the scientific and technological leadership of Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) and the role of Trentino Sviluppo in connecting research with the regional business community.

The initiative originated at Fondazione Bruno Kessler and is supported by funding from two Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) approved by the European Commission, with financial support from the Italian Ministry for Business and Made in Italy (MIMIT), together with additional funding from the Autonomous Province of Trento, for a total investment of €50 million. Construction of the new facilities has been made possible through collaboration with Trentino Sviluppo, which is providing the site within its industrial area and will oversee the renovation of the existing workshop and the construction of a new building that will complete the campus at a later stage.

The project confirms the ability of Trentino’s innovation ecosystem to integrate research, innovation, and industrial development around key decarbonization technologies, with hydrogen and batteries playing a central role.

“Today we are taking the first concrete step in a strategic project. By laying this foundation stone, Trentino is sending a clear message: we are ready to strengthen our position as a leading European hub for the energy transition, placing sustainability at the heart of our industrial future. The Hydrogen Hub was created to bridge the gap that too often separates scientific research from the market.  By combining FBK’s outstanding technological expertise with Trentino Sviluppo’s ability to attract industry and develop supply chains, we are creating a true one-stop shop for innovation. We offer companies not just facilities, but a unique integrated ecosystem capable of providing tailored support, lowering barriers to entry, and reducing the risks of bringing new technologies from concept to market.  This is a major industrial policy initiative. Our goal is not only to attract new investment and leading companies to Rovereto and Trentino, but also to generate a multiplier effect across the local economy, turning technological innovation into a powerful driver of growth, competitiveness, and high-quality employment.” said Achille Spinelli, Vice President of the Autonomous Province of Trento and Provincial Councillor for Economic development, labor, family, university and research.

The investment is also significant from an urban development perspective, contributing to the redevelopment of a strategic section of the industrial area south of Rovereto. In her institutional remarks, Mayor Giulia Robol emphasized that the new Hydrogen Hub represents an opportunity to combine innovation, sustainability, and the strengthening of the local manufacturing base.

A one-stop shop for energy innovation

Scientific and technological coordination of the Hydrogen Hub will be led by FBK’s Center for Sustainable Energy, which will develop an infrastructure enabling companies to design, test, and validate new hydrogen and battery technologies throughout the entire innovation process, from concept to market. Trentino Sviluppo will contribute to completing the campus and, during the ecosystem’s development, will lead activities related to industry engagement, business attraction, and supply chain development.

Construction of the new FBK Center for Sustainable Energy facilities is expected to take approximately 18 months. The campus will cover nearly 30,000 square meters, including offices, laboratories, pilot plants, and testing areas capable of validating new technologies at the megawatt scale.

“With this new Hub, Fondazione Bruno Kessler reinforces its commitment to leading the energy transition by putting research to work for industry and strengthening the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector – said FBK President Ferruccio Resta. “The challenges of decarbonization require places where scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and industrial capabilities can come together and grow. The Hydrogen Hub embodies this vision by accelerating the transfer of technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace, creating opportunities for companies, regions, researchers, and investors. It also reflects the collaborative model that defines Trentino and stands as a best practice at the European level, where institutions, research organizations, and businesses work together to foster sustainable development, attract investment, and generate value through innovation“.

These facilities will allow the Hydrogen Hub to operate as a true one-stop shop for companies by bringing together scientific expertise, research personnel, advanced laboratories, pilot plants, and industrial validation capabilities in a single location.

From the discovery of new materials to the testing of complex systems, companies will be able to complete the entire innovation cycle within the same ecosystem, reducing development time, costs, and risk.

The strength of the Trentino model: A European laboratory for the energy transition

The Hydrogen Hub represents the most advanced expression of the model developed over the years by the Trentino innovation system, connecting public research, industry, innovation infrastructure, and development policies.

“The Hydrogen Hub—as emphasized by Giuseppe Consoli, President of Trentino Sviluppo—is the result of a collaborative effort in which research, institutions, and businesses work together to chart new industrial paths. Trentino Sviluppo is providing a strategic site in Rovereto and will oversee the renovation of the existing workshop and the construction of a new building that will complete the campus. This initiative builds on the path already established with Progetto Manifattura, our sustainability-focused innovation center, further strengthening Trentino’s ability to offer companies both facilities and connections within the energy transition ecosystem. Alongside FBK’s scientific and technological leadership, we will support industrial attraction, supply chain development, and the growth of a hydrogen and battery cluster, transforming research and expertise into applied innovation and new competitiveness.”

The creation of the Hydrogen Hub demonstrates how a relatively small region can operate on an international scale through effective collaboration among institutions and organizations. By creating an ecosystem where companies can find the expertise needed to develop new technologies, Trentino contributes to shaping European hydrogen policies while attracting strategic resources and opportunities, strengthening its role as a European laboratory for energy innovation.