New GroenvermogenNL R&D Consortium HyUSE starts on research into the direct use of hydrogen

The GroenvermogenNL R&D Consortium HyUSE has been granted a subsidy of over €14 million. Under the leadership of TNO and with contributions from industry and other institutions, the program will have over €16.5 million at its disposal for research into the direct use of hydrogen over the next six years. The goal is to investigate how hydrogen can be used as a fuel in the future for industry, heavy transport, and local energy provision. 

Hydrogen is primarily used as a raw material in industrial processes such as refining and ammonia production. Hydrogen can also be used as a fuel to make processes that require high temperatures carbon-free. Furthermore, fuel cells can be used to generate electricity using hydrogen, for instance, during times when solar and wind energy are insufficient. In the transportation sector, hydrogen can also serve as a fuel, potentially leading to trucks and ships emitting water vapor rather than harmful gases.

However, we are not there yet. For example, how should factories be modified to operate on hydrogen instead of natural gas? How can you ensure safe hydrogen transportation by road or sea? How can unexpected situations be prevented during the transition from fossil fuels to hydrogen? The Hydrogen technology development and assessment for accelerated use program, HyUSE, investigates next-generation technologies for using hydrogen in these sectors. Additionally, the consortium is working on regulations, societal support, business models, and system aspects of hydrogen applications in various value chains.

Sofia Derossi from GroenvermogenNL: “Hydrogen is particularly attractive for the sustainable electrification of energy-intensive industries that are challenging to electrify, such as glass production or certain chemical processes, as well as for heavy transport where batteries are not suitable. At the same time, hydrogen provides an excellent solution for all stand-alone applications, such as greenhouses. In this consortium, we will work on concrete cases, making the research immediately impactful and serving as a catalyst for further implementation of H2 in our society!”

The HyUSE consortium is investigating technologies and applications with expected broad market introduction around 2030. Improvements to existing hydrogen-based technologies are also being considered. In addition to developing hydrogen technology, the development of an innovation ecosystem is an important goal. This community will provide stakeholders in the value chains for hydrogen and other renewable energy carriers with reliable information to make investment decisions. 

Frank Willems, project leader of HyUSE: “Starting from concrete use cases, such as shipping, horticulture, and airports, we are tackling existing obstacles in terms of fuel flexibility, system costs, and system integration. We are not only researching innovative technologies but also the business case and necessary policy support. This accelerates the large-scale use of hydrogen and gives a significant boost to the green hydrogen economy in the Netherlands.” 

The HyUSE consortium was formed through an innovative approach by the GroenvermogenNL Growth Fund Program and NWO. During two intensive workshops, all participants collaborated on the project plan. Normally, multiple proposals are submitted in a competitive setting, but for its R&D pillar, GrroenvermogenNL has developed an innovative procedure in collaboration with NWO. In this procedure, parties are encouraged to collaborate nationally, prioritize industry questions, and submit a single proposal. The result is a consortium of 30 parties, including 8 universities, 5 universities of applied sciences, 3 research institutes, and 14 industrial partners. 

TNO, Utrecht University, Avans University of Applied Sciences, CWI (NWO-I), Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, MARIN, University of Groningen, Saxion University of Applies Sciences, Tilburg University, University of Twente, Stichting Wageningen Research (Wageningen Universuity & Research), Wageningen University, DNV, HyET NoCarbon B.V., CelSian, Circonica, European Supply Chain Forum, Groningen Airport Eelde NV, HyCC, Hyster-Yale, Koppert Cress, LyondellbBasell, RWE, Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Stichting Bijboegfonds, Thomassen Energy