Green Hydrogen Governance in the Spotlight at GETS 2025

Phoenix, Arizona – May 19–20, 2025
The Governance of Emerging Technologies and Science (GETS) Conference, hosted by Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, brings together global thought leaders to address the regulatory and governance challenges posed by emerging technologies. Among this year’s key contributors is Dr. Beata Kviatek of Hanze University of Applied Sciences and Entrance – Centre of Expertise Energy, who will present on “Regional Governance of Green Hydrogen as an Emerging Technology.”

This presentation is particularly timely for UNLOCK project stakeholders and the wider Interreg Europe community, as Europe intensifies its efforts to lead the green hydrogen transition through regional innovation ecosystems, smart specialization strategies, and policy-driven energy system transformation.

Regional Governance: A Catalyst for Green Hydrogen Deployment

Green hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of Europe's decarbonization strategy, especially for hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, transport, and seasonal energy storage. However, its real-world adoption hinges on governance capacity at the regional level—where infrastructure, regulation, and stakeholder collaboration intersect.

Dr. Kviatek will explore how place-based governance models and regional energy clusters can drive the integration of green hydrogen into local economies. Her insights will be grounded in research conducted at Hanze University and Entrance, where the focus lies on hybrid energy systems, cross-sector collaboration, and aligning technological innovation with climate objectives.

This topic directly supports the UNLOCK project’s mission to identify governance mechanisms that enable effective energy transitions across regions—facilitating policy learning, interregional cooperation, and scalable innovation.

Interdisciplinary Learning for Interregional Impact

The GETS Conference, now in its 12th year, stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, examining governance challenges across a spectrum of emerging technologies—from AI and robotics to blockchain and biotechnology. For Interreg Europe stakeholders, this broad perspective offers valuable cross-sectoral lessons applicable to:

• Energy governance models that can inform European and regional policymaking.

• Digitalization and AI applications for smart grids and renewable energy integration.

• Sustainable mobility frameworks, including governance of autonomous and hydrogen-based transport.

• Blockchain and IoT innovations for transparent, decentralized energy transactions.

These insights contribute directly to the policy learning ambitions of UNLOCK, where regional authorities and innovation actors seek best practices to enhance governance capacity and systemic change.

Why GETS and Phoenix Matter

Arizona State University, a global leader in governance and sustainability education, provides an ideal setting for advancing these critical discussions. The Beus Center for Law and Society brings together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to ensure that governance strategies are not only theoretical but actionable.

Meanwhile, the city of Phoenix—with its expanding clean energy sector and innovation-driven growth—serves as a living lab for experimenting with governance frameworks that can also be adapted across European regions.

A Platform for Shaping Europe's Green Hydrogen Agenda

Dr. Kviatek’s participation in GETS 2025 underscores the importance of regional governance in scaling green hydrogen and advancing Europe’s energy transition. Her contribution will enrich the UNLOCK community’s understanding of how governance mechanisms can support just, inclusive, and innovation-led pathways to climate neutrality.

Learn more about the GETS Conference programme and follow project updates through the UNLOCK and Interreg Europe channels.