Green hydrogen is regularly praised as ‘the’ solution for the energy transition. A panacea that can solve many energy issues for a sustainable future. But just as often it remained with nice plans. Still, it seems that one windmill in the Wieringermeer will make all the difference.
Everything in one hand, that is the secret of the ‘From wind to wheel’ project. A windmill that will soon supply green hydrogen with the help of an electrolyser, which can be refueled at a pumping station around the corner. The windmill is already there, just like the gas station.
An electrolyser will soon be built at the mill to convert wind energy into hydrogen. The gas goes in a tube to the gas station where motorists can refuel it. The project must break through the ‘chicken and egg discussion’ about hydrogen.
It is possible to produce hydrogen, but it is only commercially interesting if there are customers. Motorists do want to switch to hydrogen, but there are hardly any cars that are suitable for it. And car manufacturers do not want to invest in hydrogen as long as the fuel is not available at the pump. See here a stalemate that has existed for years and ensures that hardly any progress is made.
By joining forces and a substantial subsidy, it should now work in North Holland. The company Hygro will make the hydrogen at the wind farm in Wieringermeer and AVIA-Marees will ensure that it is available at various filling stations. This means that there is no longer any reason for car manufacturers to sit still.
Lennart van der Burg, hydrogen expert at TNO in Petten, thinks that the project will lead to a breakthrough in green hydrogen. The laboratory in Petten is working on a new generation of electrolysers. The devices needed to produce hydrogen with green electricity are becoming cheaper and cheaper. “The Netherlands is a leader in hydrogen technology, and with all the wind farms off the coast, there will soon be plenty of green energy.”
Van der Burg expects hydrogen to be particularly suitable for industry such as Tata Steel, aircraft and heavy transport such as trucks and agricultural machinery. And those vehicles are expected to be able to fill up with green hydrogen at the pump in 2025. That will not be possible at every pump ‘around the corner’, but the number of locations will increase considerably.
Grab an Green
More and more North Hollanders are taking action to tackle climate change. Residents change their lifestyle, buy responsibly and insulate their homes. Entrepreneurs see opportunities and break new ground with sustainable products and services. You can see it every Tuesday on TV in the program Pak An Groen.
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