On Monday 9 December, Minister Sophie Hermans of Climate and Green Growth, together with Mayor Jacco van der Tak, opened the H2 Experience Center in Kootwijkerbroek. This innovative electrolyser system was made possible in part by GroenvermogenNL. “It is a fantastic innovative development and a unique Dutch electrolyser design with which we are taking an important step towards the green hydrogen economy,” says Annemarie Manger, board member of GroenvermogenNL.
The electrolyser system was developed by XINTC. The Dutch company was the first to develop a fully plastic gas module (stack) without critical metals, membranes and seals. “XINTC is working on a great innovative development,” says Manger. “Normally, electrolysers are made to customer specifications, from expensive components, which makes hydrogen production expensive. Due to the fully plastic stacks, the possibility of mass production and because the stacks are virtually maintenance-free, the costs are considerably lower.”
25% more energy yield
XINTC has been working on the innovation for more than 10 years. With the support of GroenvermogenNL, the company has realized a fully-fledged electrolyser system that is linked to a solar park of Energeion in Kootwijkerbroek. This is the H2 Experience Center, a demonstration facility where stakeholders can see and understand the technology in action. XINTC demonstrates how the electrolyser system with smart electronics follows the fluctuating energy source and switches the stacks on and off at high frequency without significant wear. “The importance of this is enormous,” says Manger. “A solar field can generate 25% more yield. This naturally results in a further reduction in cost price.”
Support by GroenvermogenNL
Via the DEI+ scheme (Demonstration Energy and Climate Innovation), GroenvermogenNL contributed to the investment costs of the H2 Experience Center. “In concrete terms, this contribution amounted to around €1.7 million, which is certainly important for the realization of this great project. This is also a project that the DEI+ scheme focuses on: to be able to demonstrate tangible results.” The aim of the H2 Experience Center is to produce hydrogen with the yield from the solar park for use in mobility. The ultimate ambition is to scale up the capacity to 2.4 MW.
GroenvermogenNL: innovation engine of the green hydrogen economy
GroenvermogenNL is a program financed by the National Growth Fund. It aims to stimulate and accelerate the use of green hydrogen in Dutch industry by focusing on R&D, pilot projects, demonstrations and human capital. A subsidy budget of €838 million has been reserved for this purpose up to and including 2030.
