Implementation

The development and testing of the GIS-based tools in Veneto and Styria followed a structured and collaborative implementation process. This ensured that the pilots were not only technically sound but also directly aligned with regional policy needs and transferable to other H2CE regions.

 

1. Stakeholder involvement
From the outset, both pilots engaged key stakeholders across government, industry, and research. In Veneto, Unioncamere Veneto collaborated with regional authorities, industry associations, and transport operators to define data needs and integrate hydrogen-specific questions into existing business surveys. In Styria, the Energy Agency worked with utilities, industrial companies, logistics firms, and research institutions to identify requirements for hydrogen infrastructure planning.

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2. Data collection and integration
The pilots relied on a combination of regional surveys, official statistics, infrastructure data, and mobility datasets. Veneto leveraged its Unioncamere Research Center datasets on manufacturing energy consumption, while Styria combined state GIS data, company surveys, and renewable energy maps. Data was standardised using common metrics such as tons of oil equivalent (TOE) and mapped at municipal level to enable comparability and integration.

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3. Tool development

• In Veneto, the web-based Atlas platform was configured with an interactive Decision-Maker Dashboard, allowing users to model hydrogen conversion scenarios and instantly view environmental and economic impacts.

• In Styria, an open-source QGIS planning tool was built around a detailed requirements specification, creating spatial layers for production, demand clusters, transport routes, and potential infrastructure.​

 

4. Testing and evaluation
Both prototypes underwent iterative testing with policymakers and technical experts. Users evaluated functionality, usability, and policy relevance. Feedback confirmed that the tools provide clear visualisation of demand hotspots, support evidence-based investment prioritisation, and are accessible even for non-technical users.

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5. Knowledge transfer and scalability
The pilots were designed to be transferable. By applying a shared methodology, harmonised data structures, and replicable workflows, the tools can be adapted by other H2CE partner regions. Their modular design ensures that new datasets or functionalities (e.g., monitoring dashboards, cross-border integration) can be added in future development phases.

Through this structured implementation process, the Veneto and Styria pilots demonstrate how regional authorities can translate hydrogen strategies into actionable plans, backed by spatial intelligence and stakeholder engagement. They also set the stage for scaling the approach across Central Europe within the H2CE network of hydrogen-ready regions.