Within the framework of the H2GreenFUTURE project, already well known to readers as a key initiative for promoting the development of hydrogen technologies in the cross-border region of Slovenia and Austria, significant progress is being made. One of the key activities in the project’s second phase is the establishment of a regulatory sandbox – a structured environment for testing legislative solutions and breakthrough technologies in a real-world context.
In the energy sector, where the legal framework often lags behind technological innovation, regulatory sandboxes represent a vital innovation tool. They provide a time-limited testing space that allows for the trial of new solutions under the supervision of experts and regulators – without the risk of legal violations, but with a clear goal: to gather evidence for necessary legislative changes.
The H2GreenFUTURE Sandbox in Practice
The H2GreenFUTURE sandbox will include stakeholders from all key societal sectors – the so-called Quadruple Helix Model:
- Industry and companies that develop or use hydrogen technologies, bringing practical knowledge and understanding of market needs.
- Research and educational institutions, which provide scientific foundations and educate future professionals.
- Legislators and regulators, who co-create feasible and effective solutions through their knowledge and authority.
- Civil society, including support institutions, students, and other actors reflecting broader public interests and user perspectives.
This inclusive model enables a comprehensive view of development challenges – since a technically efficient solution is not necessarily legally feasible or socially acceptable. It is precisely this multi-level approach that gives the sandbox its strategic strength.
The H2GreenFUTURE sandbox is not just a testing environment but a strategy for removing legislative barriers and accelerating the market deployment of sustainable hydrogen solutions. The tool does not merely serve as a testbed but addresses legislative challenges in the cross-border Slovenia–Austria region as a whole.
The entire sandbox process will unfold in several phases – from identifying legislative challenges, through simulations and testing, to the formulation of concrete legislative recommendations, which will be presented to relevant institutions in Slovenia and Austria in 2026.
🔗 We invite you to actively participate in the process and become a member of the H2GreenFUTURE Stakeholder Board by completing the application form or contacting the project team for further information (andreja.kumer@stajerskagz.si).