New Research Initiative Aims to Boost Green Hydrogen Economy in the Netherlands
The Hague, Monday, 8 July 2024.
NWO and GroenvermogenNL launch a €26.8 million call for proposals to accelerate the green hydrogen transition in the Netherlands. The program seeks to create regional ecosystems of working, learning, and innovation, with seven projects to be awarded across different regions by March 2025.
Driving Regional Innovation
The NGF call, titled ‘Op weg naar de toekomst,’ aims to stimulate practical research on regional solutions for a responsive ecosystem of working, learning, and innovation. By focusing on green hydrogen, the initiative seeks to catalyze the transition to a sustainable energy economy in the Netherlands. With a budget of €26.8 million, the program will fund seven proposals from different regions, each contributing to the nationwide effort to adopt green hydrogen solutions. The program underscores the importance of regional learning communities in effectively applying new knowledge in the labor market.
Workshops and Deadlines
To support this initiative, GroenvermogenNL will organize regional workshops, with the first set scheduled between November 4 and 15, 2024, and the second set in January 2025. These workshops aim to prepare participants for the proposal submission process, facilitating a collaborative environment for idea exchange and project development. The deadline for registration for these preparatory workshops is October 15, 2024, at 14:00:00 CEST, while the final deadline for submitting proposals is March 11, 2025, at 14:00:00 CET.
Strategic Goals and Long-term Vision
The human capital program within GroenvermogenNL is seen as a crucial enabler for the production, transport, and application of hydrogen. By fostering regional ecosystems, the initiative aims to create a scalable model that can be replicated across Europe and beyond. The strategic goals include enhancing the efficiency of hydrogen production, developing robust transport networks, and integrating hydrogen applications into various industrial sectors.
Collaboration with International Partners
The Netherlands is not alone in this endeavor. International collaborations, such as the one between Australia-based Sparc Hydrogen and Shinshu University in Japan, are pivotal in advancing green hydrogen technologies. Sparc’s photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) technology, which uses concentrated solar energy to produce hydrogen, represents a significant leap forward in green hydrogen production. This partnership aims to pilot test and eventually commercialize the technology, contributing to global efforts in transitioning to a low-carbon economy[1].
European and Global Impact
The broader European context also highlights significant strides in green hydrogen development. The Hydrogen Valley Days event, for instance, brought together stakeholders from various sectors to accelerate the development of hydrogen valleys across Europe. These valleys are crucial for creating localized ecosystems that combine renewable energy production, storage, transport, and end-use of hydrogen. The European Union’s Net Zero Industry Act and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership have been instrumental in supporting these initiatives, with a budget of EUR 12.5 billion aimed at increasing the maturity of hydrogen projects[2].
Future Prospects
Looking beyond Europe, global trade and collaboration are essential for the green hydrogen market to reach its full potential. Deloitte’s economic analysis projects that the green hydrogen market could grow from US$642 billion in annual revenue in 2030 to US$1.4 trillion by 2050, playing a paramount role in achieving net-zero targets. This growth will require substantial investments and international cooperation, with developing economies poised to benefit significantly from the transition to green hydrogen[3].