Netherlands should establish an 'Electrolyser Makers Platform'. This could lead to a full-fledged industry for the production of electrolysers, a key technology for hydrogen production.
This is reported by FME and TNO on the basis of an exploration. Hydrogen is one of the pillars of the energy transition. It can be the growth engine for a new economy. In this respect, the Netherlands is pre-set to take a leading position internationally in terms of electrolyser supply.
Thus, converting sustainably generated energy into hydrogen is a key technology that offers solutions in the most recalcitrant parts of the future energy system. For example, for long-term storage and long-distance transport of sustainably generated energy or to replace natural gas as a raw material for industry. But think also of sustainable fuel for (heavy) transport by both road and water.
High expectations
Around hydrogen, global expectations are high and ambitions are high. In its hydrogen strategy, for instance, the European Commission presents a target of 6 GW by 2024 and 40 GW by 2030. The Dutch climate agreement talks about scaling up electrolysis capacity to 500 MW in 2020, after which the target for 2030 is 3 to 4 GW. Total European electrolyser capacity is currently around 150 MW.
"So the growth potential for electrolysers is huge. Also for the Dutch economy: after all, our country has a highly developed manufacturing industry. With hundreds of companies that have the knowledge and competences to acquire a place in one or more links of the production chain for electrolysers. And it is worthwhile working on this: the European market for electrolysers alone is expected to be worth tens of billions of euros over the next ten years," write FME and TNO.
Alkaline and PEM
Currently, there are two market-ready technologies for water electrolysis, the exploration shows. For instance, alkaline systems have been used on a large scale (6 - 100MW) for many years, especially in chlorine production. Newer are PEM systems, which are generally smaller, more efficient and more flexible. However, these systems currently have a maximum capacity of around 10MW.
Both systems are expected to play a role in the energy transition and have their own applications. For instance, FME and TNO report that PEM is very suitable for integration with renewable energy generation. Alkaline technology, on the other hand, is more suited to large and continuously running industrial applications. The parties consider it important that both technologies continue to be developed and see opportunities for the Netherlands in this respect.
Seven Dutch companies active
Currently, over 70 Dutch companies are actively involved in the development and production of electrolyser materials and components. The individual position of these parties is still modest, according to FME and TNO. As a group, however, they have the potential to establish a national electrolyser industry. According to the exploration, these parties would particularly benefit from cooperating and innovating at chain level.
Hydrogen has the potential to become a major export product of the Netherlands. Partly due to the excellent gas infrastructure available in the Netherlands. This can be used to transport sustainable hydrogen. A considerable potential of offshore wind energy is also available for the production of green hydrogen.
FME and TNO also point out that hydrogen offers interesting opportunities for the Netherlands as a whole. For instance, the material can help meet climate goals of the Netherlands. In addition, betting on hydrogen enables sustainable economic growth and can create jobs. The parties are therefore taking the initiative to establish an Electrolyser Maker Platform.
Active community of manufacturing companies
However, the parties also make other recommendations. For instance, FME and TNO call the establishment of an active community of manufacturing companies dedicated to the production of electrolysers or the components needed for it 'badly needed'. This community can connect companies, enable cooperation on the necessary preconditions for innovation and increase the international visibility of Dutch companies. The platform can also play an important role in matching supply and demand around electrolysers.
Finally, the parties argue for a strategic innovation programme for electrolyser production. This should focus on:
- research and development through, among other things, living labs
- development of an attractive business case
- chain development
- creating favourable conditions
- market activation
A summary of the FME and TNO survey can be found here.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
