Glocalisation of hydrogen sociotechnical imaginaries in Poland - local technocratic scenarios to align with global transitions

Although Poland is the third-largest hydrogen producer in the European Union, it struggles to limit the carbon emissions in the process of its production and transform into low-carbon (green) hydrogen. Our investigation examines the dominant sociotechnical imaginaries of hydrogen technologies implementation in Poland and integrates them with the framework of glocalisation to reveal how hydrogen STIs operate outside core green hydrogen hubs. Through semi-structured expert interviews and the Delphi method, this study analyses how coexisting sociotechnical imaginaries shape Poland's emerging hydrogen green economy. The Delphi method is utilised to frame experts' perspectives on opportunities, risks, and implementation requirements as well as expected probabilities of the future developments. The research reveals three primary coexisting imaginaries that guide Poland's hydrogen development trajectory. Firstly, the technonationalist scenario prioritizes the development of domestic hydrogen technologies. Secondly, the State/Industry-Led scenario positions hydrogen as a transformative force for comprehensive economic modernisation while simultaneously strengthening Poland's technological competencies and thirdly, a mixed Bottom-Up and Top-Down perspective encompasses two governance approaches, balancing large-scale national initiatives with localised “hydrogen valleys” projects. The three scenarios explain the divergence and incoherence in implementing new technologies and might help diagnose conflicting priorities at the policy and governance levels. Poland's hydrogen sociotechnical imaginaries are fundamentally technocratic and technonationalist, framing hydrogen as a direct fuel substitute within existing centralised infrastructures and privileging institutional success metrics over social justice or grassroots participation. The global-local hydrogen energy transition is discussed in a peripheral context of Poland in the world and the technocratic–reformist hopes for technological-sovereignty in Europe. • Green hydrogen development is shaped by three competing imaginaries in Poland • Technonationalist scenario limits social initiatives, focuses on sovereignty • Modernization scenario sees hydrogen as a way for economic growth with renewables • All scenarios marginalize energy justice and reduce public participation • Hydrogen valleys show potential for regional autonomy in energy global supply