The climate requirements are clear: greenhouse gases must be reduced by 49% by 2030 and completely by 2050. This requires drastic changes to the energy system and the industrial and resource system. The use of hydrogen is one means of meeting the requirements. Hydrogen achieves a large number of functions in a CO2-free energy and resource economy. But in what ways does the government promote the use of hydrogen?
The Netherlands wants to use only renewable energy sources by 2050. That is why the government is encouraging the use of hydrogen, among other things. To this end, subsidies for hydrogen projects and hydrogen filling stations, for example, have been created. In this blog, we consider the ways in which the Dutch government promotes the use of hydrogen.
Do you want your innovation to make it easier to meet ESG targets? Would you like to develop your idea in collaboration with Beeliners? We would love to help you! Feel free to drop by for a cup of coffee and we will be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.
Replacing fossil fuels
Currently, hydrogen is already produced and used on a large scale in the Netherlands. For example, hydrogen is used as a fuel. However, this is often still hydrogen made with natural gas. This is called fossil (grey) hydrogen, because this process releases CO2. In the coming years, the government wants to replace this fossil hydrogen with cleaner alternatives:
- Low-carbon (blue) hydrogen: also made with natural gas, but here the CO2 released is captured and stored underground;
- Renewable (green) hydrogen: made by electrolysis of water with clean energy, such as wind and solar power.
Offshore wind farms should have a hand in this. Renewable hydrogen is also being imported from other countries. The existing gas pipeline network can be reused to transport hydrogen.
Possibilities of hydrogen
The possibilities of hydrogen are endless, for example:
- Cleaner fuel for vehicles.
- Energy storage.
- Industrial processes.
- Energy production via fuel cells.
- Heating.
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
We recently wrote a blog on the potential of hydrogen.
Incentives to use hydrogen
The government wants to help further develop the production and application of renewable hydrogen. They do this partly by cooperating with companies, civil society organisations and knowledge institutes.
For the use of hydrogen, the government has created several incentives:
- The government has come up with a diverse range of subsidies for hydrogen projects. For example, for developing innovative techniques. In total, there are four different subsidies you can apply for:
- Subsidy scheme Scaling up fully renewable hydrogen production via electrolysis (OWE)
- Important Project of Common European Interest (IP-CEI) Hydrogen
- DEI+: Hydrogen and green chemistry (GroenvermogenNL)
- TSE Industry studies: Hydrogen and green chemistry
You can read about what these grants entail on the government’s website.
- Expanding opportunities for hydrogen transport and storage. For example, through the national transport network for hydrogen and, in the future, infrastructure at sea. The national transport network consists mainly of pipelines previously used for gas.
- New agreements with the hydrogen sector on hydrogen development through the National Hydrogen Programme.
- Contribute to the development of the European Hydrogen Policy. As soon as there is a new European policy, the government elaborates the Dutch policy in laws and regulations.
- Create conditions for the international market for hydrogen. Together with countries around the world, the government is working on rules, quality criteria and safety standards. For example, on transport, storage and certification of hydrogen. And the government encourages the construction of import terminals.
Working on your ESG-innovation together with Beeliners
Do you have a good idea for a product, service, process or technological innovation that makes it easier to achieve ESG goals? And would you like to develop your idea in collaboration with Beeliners? Beeliners has an innovation cell dedicated to innovations in energy and heating systems. Feel free to drop by for a cup of coffee and we will be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.
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