Pilots & small demonstrations

GroenvermogenNL has allocated €100 million to pilot and small-scale demonstration projects. Most of this funding is channelled through the DEI+ subsidy scheme for Hydrogen and Green Chemistry (GroenvermogenNL). Two calls for proposals have already taken place, resulting in promising hydrogen projects such as H2Hollandia en Nieuwe generatie waterstoftanks voor heavy-duty mobiliteit. 

Entrepreneurs looking to test energy innovations within their company can apply for funding. In previous rounds, a dedicated track was available for hydrogen and green chemistry under the DEI+ scheme by GroenvermogenNL. This year, there is no separate track, but hydrogen and green chemistry are included in the regular DEI+ scheme.

The total budget for the DEI+ Energy and Climate Innovation scheme is €175 million. The scheme supports innovative projects in industry, the electricity sector and the built environment – including hydrogen projects.

For sustainable hydrogen and green chemistry

Under the DEI+ Energy and Climate Innovation scheme, companies working on sustainable hydrogen and green chemistry can apply for funding for three types of projects: pilot projects, demonstration projects or test and experimental infrastructure. Eligible projects must contribute to the development of:

• Hydrogen production via water electrolysis

• Transport and storage of hydrogen (carriers), including conversion steps

• Use of hydrogen (carriers) and green electrons

A budget of around €100 m is available for projects that qualify for GroenvermogenNL’s portfolio and are at TRL phase 6, 7 or 8. The DEI+: Hydrogen and Green Chemistry grant scheme opened in June 2022 for pilot or demonstration projects involving hydrogen technology or green chemistry. This grant scheme closed on 10 January 2023. 

The first two allocations, which totalled €18.4 m, were granted to Hollandia BV and HYGRO Energy BV in December 2022. 

• TRL 6 Demonstration of prototype in test environment 
• TRL 7 Demonstration of prototype in operational environment
• TRL 8 Product/service is complete and operational but not yet at market launch stage

There will be an evaluation of the significance of the DEI scheme for GroenvermogenNL in January and February 2023. On the basis of that assessment and with various budget requests for projects in TRL 6 to 8, there will be made a decision as to whether, and if so, with what potential adjustments, the DEI scheme can be reopened to GroenvermogenNL. Alternatively, a different kind of, more appropriate, scheme may be considered. The aim is for the next tranche to be made available around summer 2023 through the publication of a scheme for this kind of projects.