HyUSE

The R&D-programme HyUSE HyUSE is conducting research into direct use of hydrogen. For this, it has a grant of over €14 million from GroenvermogenNL, and together with contributions from industry and other institutions, the programme can count on over €16.5 million. HyUSE has a duration of 6 years. TNO is leading the programme. Aim: to investigate how hydrogen can be used as a fuel in industry, heavy transport and local energy facilities in the future.

Hydrogen is mainly used as a feedstock in industrial processes, such as refining and ammonia production. Hydrogen can also be used as a fuel to decarbonize processes that require high temperatures. In addition, fuel cells allow you to use hydrogen to generate electricity, for example at times when solar and wind power are not sufficient. In the transport sector, hydrogen could also serve as a fuel, which would mean trucks and ships would no longer emit harmful gases, but water vapour.   

However, things are not that advanced yet. For example, in what way should you adapt factories so that they can run on hydrogen instead of natural gas? How do you make sure you can safely drive or sail on hydrogen? How do you avoid unexpected situations during the transition from fossil fuels to hydrogen? The Hydrogen technology development and assessment for accelerated use programme, HyUSE, investigates next-generation technologies for use of hydrogen in these sectors. In doing so, the consortium also works on regulation, social support, business models and system aspects of hydrogen applications in the various value chains.

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

The HyUSE consortium was formed by an innovative approach of the GroenvermogenNL Growth Fund programme and NWO. During two intensive workshops, all participants worked together on the project plan. Normally, multiple proposals are submitted in a competitive setting, but for its R&D pillar, GroenvermogenNL developed an innovative procedure together with NWO. In this procedure, parties are encouraged to cooperate nationally, focus on the questions from industry, and submit one proposal. The result is a consortium of 30 parties: eight universities, five colleges, three 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