The production of sustainable hydrogen should become the pillar of the economy of the Northern Netherlands. That is the core of a plan that TU Delft professor of future energy systems Ad van Wijk has written as a core member of the Northern Innovation Board (NIB). The new body will have to drive the economy in the three northern provinces. With the implementation of the plan until 2030, an investment of between EUR 17.5 and 25 billion is needed for hydrogen production sites and transport facilities. An initial feasibility study is expected after the next two months.

Hydrogen is predicted to have a great future as a fuel in a 'green' economy, but is also an important feedstock for the chemical industry. These now predominantly use natural gas as fuel.

The sustainable variants are made by using electricity to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen (electrolysis) and by gasifying (remains of) woody crops (straw, wood residues, etc.).

Professor Van Wijk's plan will enable relatively cheap electricity and green hydrogen to be produced, enabling the chemical cluster in Delfzijl to strengthen its competitive position and further greening.

The hydrogen can be sold to other industrial regions.

With hydrogen as fuel for northern public transport and ferries to the Wadden Islands, the northern Netherlands could develop as a pilot region for the new fuel.

The provinces could encourage the use of hydrogen cars. North aims for hydrogen:

According to the professor, all conditions are present in the North to develop a hydrogen economy:

  • A large supply of electricity from power plants and offshore wind farms via Eemshaven and possibly Harlingen.
  • A prominent presence of agriculture, agro-industry and chemical clusters in Delfzijl and Emmen.
  • The natural gas network through which hydrogen can also be transported.
  • Knowledge of gases at Gasunie, GasTerra, NAM and the Energy Academy Europe.

As production requires very pure water, the presence of the water technology institute Wetsus in Leeuwarden and innovative water companies are also a plus. "If it can be done anywhere, it is here," says Professor Van Wijk.

The above vision is endorsed by the KIVI Team Energy's initial findings from the ongoing research programme EnergyNL2050.

The goal is to achieve total sustainability of the Dutch energy systems in 2050 while reducing CO2 emissions to below 20MTon.

This is only possible, if the renewable energy generated with PV and Wind, is efficiently stored or converted into an environmentally friendly fuel, such as hydrogen (H2).

The H2 is then used for chemical processes and transport, as shown above.

Would you like to join the discussion on making the energy system sustainable in 2050? Then sign up to participate in the EnergyNL2050-3 Renewable Energy Symposium on 09 February next.

More information about the KIVI Symposia: EnergyNL2050