The growing share of renewable energy sources, combined with increasing pressure from stringent emissions standards, requires radical changes in energy policy and the structure of energy generation. Decarbonization efforts are no longer limited to the power sector as a whole, but also extend to distributed energy sources, heavy industry, chemical plants, and other sectors that have traditionally relied on fossil fuels.

One of the directions of these changes is the gradual implementation of synthetic fuels and hydrogen technologies. Their continuous development is supported by scientific and R&D efforts, as well as pilot projects being implemented on an increasingly large scale. These topics will be at the heart of the international HYPOTHESIS XXI conference, which will take place in Warsaw at the end of August. The event is organized by the National Centre for Nuclear Research in cooperation with Warsaw University of Technology.

From 23–27 August 2026, Warsaw will host HYPOTHESIS XXI – Hydrogen Power Theoretical and Engineering Solutions International Symposium, one of the most important conferences dedicated to hydrogen technologies, synthetic fuels, and the energy transition. For the first time in its history, the event will be held in Poland.

The Polish edition of the conference is organized by the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) and Warsaw University of Technology. The conference provides a platform for knowledge exchange between the scientific community, industry, public administration, and investors developing low-emission technologies.

For more than thirty years, HYPOTHESIS has brought together experts representing the entire value chain of the hydrogen economy – from hydrogen production using renewable energy sources, through storage and transportation, to its applications in energy, industry, and transport. Many initiatives first appear at HYPOTHESIS as development concepts, while subsequent editions of the conference present the results of their implementation. This makes the event a permanent communication platform for the hydrogen technology community.  – says Prof. Jakub Kupecki, Director of the National Centre for Nuclear Research and Chairman of this year’s HYPOTHESIS conference.

This year’s program will include presentations of the latest research findings, infrastructure and investment projects, solutions involving fuel cells, electrolyzers, synthetic fuels, and technologies supporting decarbonization and the achievement of climate neutrality. For us, this is a unique opportunity to showcase the achievements of Polish research teams on the international stage. HYPOTHESIS brings together representatives from all over the world 
– adds Prof. Jarosław Milewski, Head of the Artificial Intelligence and Hydrogen Technologies in Energy Department at the Institute of Heat Engineering, Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, who serves as Co-Chairman of HYPOTHESIS 2026.

In addition to plenary sessions, the conference organizers have planned design workshops, meetings of consortium partners implementing European projects, and presentation sessions showcasing the results of selected national projects funded by the National Centre for Research and Development and the National Science Centre. Among the keynote speakers at HYPOTHESIS 2026 are world-class scientists, including Prof. Jack Brouwer, Director of the Clean Energy Institute at the University of California, Irvine, specializing in energy systems and hydrogen technologies, and Prof. Michel Cassir of the Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, a recognized expert in electrochemistry, fuel cells, and materials for modern energy systems.

HYPOTHESIS participants will have the opportunity to take part in study visits to the National Centre for Nuclear Research in Otwock-Świerk, the hydrogen laboratories of Warsaw University of Technology, and the Hydrogen Technologies Centre of the Institute of Energy – National Research Institute. The event program will also include networking meetings and accompanying events, providing international guests with an opportunity to explore Poland’s and Warsaw’s innovation ecosystem.

Hosting HYPOTHESIS XXI in Warsaw highlights Poland’s steadily growing role in the development of European hydrogen technologies and creates opportunities for establishing international scientific and business partnerships.

Honorary patronage over the HYPOTHESIS XXI conference has been granted by the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Climate and Environment, the Mayor of Warsaw, and the President of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Sponsors: 
TOYOTA Central Europe – a leader in electromobility, 
GAZ-SYSTEM S.A.  – transmission system operator, 
Hydrogen Europe Research – Europe’s largest association of scientific 
and research institutions working in the field of hydrogen technologies.

Media patronage: Energetyka24, Nowa Energia, Wysokie Napięcie, Polish Press Agency (PAP), and CIRE