The Netherlands is eager for a hydrogen network; pipelines that can safely transport this energy carrier both above and below ground. The HyTROS project will conduct applied research into this. HyTROS is part of GroenpowerNL, a National Growth Fund program that stimulates the scaling up of the use of green hydrogen in the Netherlands. HyTROS has received a subsidy of €14 million plus more than €4 million in contributions from the industry. The official kick-off of the hydrogen project was on April 11.
Marjan Oudeman, chairman of GroenvermogenNL:
Before we can use green hydrogen on a large scale in the Netherlands, a lot of research and innovation is still needed. I am happy that GroenkrachtNL can contribute to this by bringing many parties together in R&D consortia such as HyTROS. This collaboration and connection are important for the climate agenda and the Dutch business community.
The Netherlands is the second largest hydrogen producer in Europe. Almost all hydrogen still comes from fossil fuels. The Netherlands wants to have 4GW electrolysis capacity by 2030. An important challenge to produce green hydrogen on that large scale is to investigate to what extent the current natural gas system on land (onshore) and at sea (offshore) can be reused for hydrogen, where new assets are needed, and what needs to be arranged to make it possible. new energy system to function safely and cost-effectively with social support. This requires more research into the production, transport and storage of hydrogen throughout the hydrogen value chain.
32 parties from research and industry
The HyTROS project (Hydrogen Transport, Offshore and Storage) will conduct research into transport (particularly via pipelines), above and below ground storage, offshore transport and storage and safety. The consortium consists of 32 parties from research and industry. The HyTROS research will run until the early 2030s.
€177 million for the total GroenkrachtNL R&D hydrogen program
HyTROS is GroenkrachtNL's first R&D hydrogen project to start. It is part of GroenkrachtNL's larger R&D program, which will use a total of €177 million for industrial, applied and fundamental research until 2030. With seven research themes, this R&D program focuses on strengthening the entire value chain of the green hydrogen industry, from import and production to transport and industrial use. One consortium is formed per research program that submits one project proposal in co-creation. An important part for GroenkrachtNL is the coordination of knowledge and experiences from the programs themselves. The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) assesses the project proposals and provides the subsidies.
Integrated approach via R&D, pilots, demonstrations and human capital
GroenkrachtNL adopts an integrated approach through R&D, pilots, demonstrations and a human capital agenda for the hydrogen transition. A total of €838 million is available for this purpose from the National Growth Fund until 2030. In addition to the R&D program, GroenkrachtNL contributes to accelerating large-scale use of green hydrogen through, among other things, pilot schemes such as the DEI+, demonstration schemes such as the IMKE (Investment subsidy for the manufacturing industry in a climate-neutral economy) and TSE Industry studies, the setting up of a national endurance test facility and by further expanding the hydrogen community.
