Hans Hellsmark

Hans Hellsmark is an Associate Professor and Senior Researcher at Chalmers University of Technology's Environmental Systems Analysis department. He serves as coordinator of the Chalmers Initiative for Innovation and Sustainability Transitions and as one of the profile managers for Technology Governance in Energy Transitions within the Energy Area of Advance. Additionally, he acts as Chalmers coordinator for the Swedish knowledge centre for renewable transportation fuels (f3), working with diverse stakeholders across academia, industry, and policy to facilitate societal transitions through knowledge support and tailored activities.

His research focuses on innovation and research policy for transformative societal change, particularly examining how policy instruments drive sustainability transitions. Hellsmark investigates the socio-economic benefits of governmental investments in research infrastructure and analyzes the complex interactions between policy makers, industry actors, research institutes, and universities in facilitating energy transitions. His work specializes in policy mixes, directionality in transformative missions, and the role of pilot and demonstration plants in market formation for sustainable technologies.

Recent publications reveal a strong focus on energy transition pathways in process industries and hydrogen economies, with recurring themes of policy alignment challenges, stakeholder narratives, and practical implementation of decarbonization strategies. His research consistently examines how directionality in policy missions influences industrial transformation and how demonstration projects bridge technology development and market formation.

Hellsmark leads and participates in numerous research projects funded by VINNOVA, Swedish Energy Agency, Formas, and Nordic Energy Research, including 'Mission-driven policy instruments for zero and negative emissions' (2024-2026), 'Nordic Hydrogen Hubs' (2023-2026), and 'Pilot and Demonstration Plants for Energy Transitions' (ongoing since 2020). His work demonstrates extensive collaboration with researchers including Anna Bergek, Patrik Söderholm, and Johnn Andersson across multiple institutions.

He works within the Environmental Systems Analysis research group at Chalmers, contributing to the university's Energy Area of Advance. His research connects closely with Chalmers' broader sustainability initiatives and knowledge platforms focused on system transformation, where he helps bridge academic research with practical policy applications in the energy transition.