
The Netherlands is one of the first western countries that has officially embraced the hydrogen economy and intends to play a prominent role in its development. And the most prominent person behind the hydrogen push in the Netherlands is professor-entrepreneur Ad van Wijk.
More than sufficient solar and wind resources in Europe available for a 100% renewable energy system, with hydrogen as storage (power-to-gas)
Although the renewable energy transition has broad public support in Europe, it’s out-role is considerably counteracted by the so-called NIMBY-phenomenon, especially in Germany. Most people are in favor of wind-turbines or high-voltage networks, only “not in my backyard”, mostly because of landscape and private property depreciation. To circumvent this, wind-turbines can increasingly be built offshore, power-lines obviously can’t. However, there is a work-around for that as well: the existing gas-infrastructure in Europe, that can be reused for renewable hydrogen distribution, the energy transmission capacity of which is at least a factor 10 larger than the capacity of the electricity grid.
The existing Dutch natural gas backbone is facing a new lease of life as a hydrogen backbone. The existing electricity grid + 10-15 GW hydrogen come close to a 100% renewable energy transition, without much additional infrastructure investment required.
Core statement Hydrogen Europe report:
We, the European hydrogen industry, are committed to develop a strong and worldleading electrolyser industry and market and to commit to produce renewable hydrogen at equal and eventually lower cost than low-carbon (blue) hydrogen. A prerequisite for that is that a 2×40 GW electrolyser market in the European Union and its neighbouring countries (e.g. North Africa and Ukraine) will develop up to 2030.
Europe has a world-class electrolyser industry (Germany, Britain, Norway, France), that can make the hydrogen economy happen.
[waterstofnet.eu] – Hydrogen Europe project site
[tinyurl.com] – Green Hydrogen for a European Green Deal 2×40 GW (pdf, 41p)
[deepresource] – Prof. Ad van Wijk
[deepresource] – NortH2 – The Netherlands Starting the Hydrogen Economy
[deepresource] – The Netherlands is Placing its Bets on the Hydrogen Economy
[deepresource] – Hydrogen Economy Taking Off in Europe
[deepresource] – Hystock Hydrogen Factory Opened in the Netherlands
[deepresource] – The Emerging Dutch Hydrogen Economy
[deepresource] – Hydrogen Delta