Eight projects in the field of cleaner and smarter mobility are jointly allocated EUR 150 million in funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Kingdom Relations (EZK). The projects are aimed at making the automotive, aviation and maritime sectors more sustainable, among others. The projects involve 109 companies and 27 research institutes. Exactly which projects are involved and what do they entail?
The grant is part of the R&D Mobility Sectors Subsidy Scheme (RDM). The financial support is intended for partnership participants from the aviation, maritime and automotive sectors who are committed to making mobility more sustainable. The projects receiving grants from the Ministry of Economic Affairs are:
- Green Transport Delta - Electrification
- Green Transport Delta - Hydrogen
- BrightSky
- Thermoplastics for sustainable aviation
- Liquid hydrogen composite tank for civil aviation
- LNG-ZERO
- MENEN
- Sustainable H2 Integrated Propulsion Drives (SH2IPDRIVE)
Green Transport Delta - Electrification
Sustainable transport plays an important role in achieving climate goals. However, this requires developments at both international and national level. The Green Transport Delta - Electrification project is aimed at making transport more sustainable. The focus here is on setting up and perpetuating an integral R&D approach in the Dutch battery value chain. This should lead to innovative battery technology.
The cost of this project has been calculated at over €36 million. The allocated subsidy amounts to €22.4 million. The lead partner is VDL NedCar. Partners involved are:
- Airborne International B.V.
- Albert Heijn B.V.
- CarePack Holland B.V.
- Circular Industries B.V.
- INND Batteries B.V.
- DAF Trucks N.V.
- Dutch Electric Aviation Centre Foundation
- E-Flight Academy B.V.
- ElaadNL Foundation
- SPIKE Technologies B.V.
- EST-Floattech B.V.
- Heliox B.V.
- Ildiz & Meijers Business Group B.V.
- Atlas Technologies B.V.
- LionVolt B.V.
- Battery Safety Solutions B.V.
- NPS Diesel B.V.
- NXP Semiconductors Netherlands B.V.
- Scholt Energy Control B.V.
- Steinbuch in Motion B.V.
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Maastricht University
- Van Kessel Olie B.V.
- VDL Enabling Transport Solutions B.V.
- VDL Staalservice B.V.
- VDL Steelweld B.V.
Green Transport Delta - Hydrogen
Hydrogen is another key pillar in the transition to more sustainable mobility. Not only when it comes to the automotive sector, but as far as inland navigation is concerned. This Green Transport Delta project aims to set up an innovative ecosystem within which R&D is carried out into several promising hydrogen technologies. The project should lead to the development of hydrogen combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells, among others. And a next-generation technology for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
This project is estimated to cost €36.7 million. The project will receive almost €24.4 million in funding. The lead partner is DAF Trucks. Partners involved are:
- Prins Autogassystemen B.V.
- Koedood Dieselservice B.V.
- MTEE
- NPS Diesel B.V.
- FAST Group B.V.
- Bosal Netherlands B.V.
- GINAF Trucks Nederland B.V.
- VDL Enabling Transport Solutions B.V.
- Vialle Autogas Systems B.V.
- Circonica Circular Energy B.V.
- DLS-Drive Line Systems B.V.
- Bronkhorst High-Tech B.V.
- Krohne Altometer
- Hobré Instruments B.V.
- Resato International B.V.
- VSL B.V.
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO
- University of Groningen
BrightSky
The BrightSky project aims to maintain and strengthen the innovative power and international competitiveness of the Dutch aviation sector at and around Schiphol Airport. This will focus on technical innovations in the areas of:
- Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul;
- airport security;
- and ground handling and airport systems.
BrightSky is estimated to cost €40.5 million. The project will receive nearly €24 million in funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The leader of BrightSky is the company JetSupport. Partners involved are:
- Royal Dutch Airlines N.V.
- Schiphol Nederland B.V.
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO
- Science and Technology B.V.
- Royal Netherlands Aerospace Foundation NLR
- Vanderlande Industries B.V.
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (L&R)
- Stage Gate 11 B.V.
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences Foundation
- T-Hive B.V.
- DT-Solutions B.V.
Thermoplastics for sustainable aviation
New ways of emission-free propulsion and sustainable fuels require developments in materials. Aircraft must become lighter and more aerodynamic. Thermoplastic composite is a material that can contribute significantly to this. The material is lightweight and allows freer forms, also has a high recyclability and is more maintenance-friendly. The project focuses on the development of thermoplastic composites. And its validation for primary structural parts. In addition, the focus is on the development of advanced production processes for these thermoplastic composites. In view of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), the processes must be suitable for high-volume production.
The cost of project around thermoplastic composites is estimated at 27.5 million euros and the project will be awarded 18.1 million euros in funding. The project's lead partner is Fokker Aerostructures. Partners are:
- Airborne International B.V.
- AniForm Engineering B.V.
- Dutch-Shape B.V.
- Dutch Thermoplastic Components B.V.
- Kok & Van Engelen Composite Structures
- Photonfirst Technologies B.V.
- Toray Advanced Composites Netherlands B.V.
- Royal Netherlands Aerospace Foundation NLR
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (L&R)
Liquid hydrogen composite tank for civil aviation
This project aims to develop a long-life liquid hydrogen tank for civil aviation from composite materials. This tank can withstand the low temperatures of liquid hydrogen. And thus contributes to the climate target of emission-free aviation by 2070. Also important here is the lower construction weight of a composite tank for liquid hydrogen compared to a metal tank. This benefits the range of aircraft.
Project costs have been calculated at over 17.1 million euros. The project will be awarded over 8.2 million euros in funding. The project's lead partner is Toray Advanced Composites Netherlands. Partners involved are:
- ADSE Consulting and Engineering
- Airborne International B.V.
- Bruggeman Beheer B.V.
- Cryoworld B.V.
- Fokker Aerostructures B.V.
- ITSEngineering B.V.
- Kok & Van Engelen Composite Structures
- Royal Netherlands Aerospace Foundation
- Photonfirst Technologies B.V.
- Somni Corporation B.V.
- TANIQ B.V.
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (L&R)
LNG-ZERO
LNG-ZERO is a research project developing technologies and strategies to drastically reduce emissions from LNG-powered ships. In this way, the project contributes to making shipping more sustainable. Within the project, the focus is on:
- reducing methane (CH4) slip;
- CO2 capture;
- and using bio-LNG to eliminate all remaining emissions. The project thus aims to make the entire chain free of greenhouse gas emissions.
The cost of LNG-ZERO has been calculated at over EUR 6 million. The project will receive over €4.3 million in funding. The project's lead partner is VDL AEC Maritime. Partners are:
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO
- Heerema Marine Contractors Netherlands SE
- Conoship International B.V.
- Carbon Collectors B.V.
- University of Twente
- Lloyd's Register Emea
- Delft University of Technology
- Anthony Veder CO2 Shipping B.V.
MENEN
MENENS is a project aimed at developing methanol as an intermediate step towards emission-free shipping in the Netherlands. The Ministry of Economic Affairs does not take the realisation of emission-free shipping for granted. For instance, most ships currently still run on fossil fuels. There are also few alternatives to marine diesel available that can be deployed in the short to medium term. Methanol is an exception. It is seen as the most feasible alternative for large-scale introduction in the short to medium term. The MENENS project aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission shipping. This by developing adaptive system solutions based on methanol.
Project costs amount to €37.9 million. MENENS will receive a €24.3 million grant. The lead partner is Fugro. Partners are:
- Royal Wagenborg
- Damen Global Support B.V.
- Damen Workboats B.V.
- C-Job & Partners B.V.
- Netherlands Maritime Research Institute Foundation
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO
- Delft University of Technology
- RH Marine Netherlands B.V.
- IHC Holland B.V.
- De Voogt Naval Architects B.V.
- Dredging company Boskalis B.V.
- Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors
- EST-Floattech B.V.
- Wärtsilä Netherlands
- ArenaRed B.V.
- Van Oossanen Naval Architects B.V.
- Discom B.V.
- MSN B.V.
- United Tank Shipping Company
- Thecla Bodewes Shipyards
- DC Systems B.V.
SH2IPDRIVE
Sustainable H2 Integrated Propulsion Drives (SH2IPDRIVE) aims to accelerate the introduction of hydrogen as an alternative energy carrier in the maritime sector. The main objective is to develop reliable, safe, standardised, scalable and cost-effective solutions for emission-free propulsion and energy systems for hydrogen-based ships. The project should lay the foundation for a strong maritime hydrogen economy in the Netherlands. This should give our country a leading position in this field, both in Europe and worldwide.
The cost of SH2IPDRIVE has been calculated at over €32.7 million. The project will receive a €24.2 million grant. The lead partner is Future Proof Shipping. Partners are:
- Delft University of Technology
- NedStack fuel cell technology B.V.
- Netherlands Maritime Research Institute Foundation
- Koedood Dieselservice B.V.
- C.V. shipping company Van Dam
- Holland Shipyards B.V.
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO
- Bosch Rexroth B.V.
- Cryovat Internationaal B.V.
- H2Storage B.V.
- H2 Circular Fuel B.V.
- H2FUEL Cascade B.V.
- Royal Roos B.V.
- Solid Hydrogen B.V.
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science
- Voyex B.V.
- Encontech B.V.
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- University of Twente
- Rivermaas B.V.
- IHC Holland B.V.
Further information on the projects is available in this summary. It has been published as an annex to a letter to Parliament in which Minister Blok of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy informs the House of Representatives about the COVID-19 support measure for R&D in the mobility sectors.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source photo: Pixabay / stux
