The Netherlands wants to realise the first large-scale hydrogen production at sea in the wind energy area North of the Wadden Islands. The wind farm should account for around 500 megawatts of electrolysis capacity. The park should be operational by 2031.
Hydrogen has been receiving a lot of attention recently, including as a potential replacement for natural gas. Among other things, parties are working on hydrogen-based central heating boilers. However, consider also the growing interest from industry in the use of hydrogen.
Green and grey hydrogen
The production of hydrogen requires electricity. Electrolysis is central to this. This is a chemical reaction in which substances are decomposed under the influence of electricity. One of the applications of electrolysis is the production of hydrogen. In this case, the process separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. This process takes place in an electrolyser.
Hydrogen is therefore available in two variants: green and grey hydrogen. Ideally, hydrogen should be green, meaning it is produced from renewable energy sources. However, this is not always feasible in the Netherlands as yet. Therefore, much hydrogen is currently grey hydrogen in practice. This is hydrogen produced with energy from fossil fuels.
Reuse existing natural gas pipeline
A wind farm like the one the Netherlands wants to realise in the wind farm above Groningen will enable the production of green hydrogen. The government chose this area because a wind farm is already planned here for electricity production. Also, an existing natural gas pipeline can potentially be reused to transport hydrogen to land. In addition, the site is well connected to the onshore hydrogen network.
Minister Rob Jetten: "With this plan, we are leading the way worldwide. It is also a big step on top of the Climate Agreement target of 4GW electrolysis by 2030. We have already designated the area as a preferred location so that preparations can start quickly and we give the sector clarity so they can start making their investment plans. I am also very happy with the support we are getting from local governments. The province and the municipalities are fully committed to a green economy where renewable energy production is central."
Work out details
The ministry is currently working with the Groningen region, parties around the Wadden area and stakeholders to work out details of the project. Think about the reason for the pipeline to transport the hydrogen from the wind farm to land. However, also consider the ecological impact of hydrogen production.
The offshore wind farm will be the first project to be connected to the hydrogen transport network at sea that Gasunie is realising. This network must be able to bring large quantities of hydrogen to land. The network will be connected to the hydrogen network on land. This year, the cabinet wants to work out what the hydrogen network at sea should look like. The feasibility of reusing the existing gas infrastructure in the North Sea is also part of this study.
Pilot project
In addition, the government is working on a smaller pilot project around hydrogen production. This project has an electrolysis capacity of 50 to 100 megawatts. With the help of this pilot project, the cabinet wants to test the technology so that it can later be applicable to the 500-megawatt project. The preferred location for this small pilot project will be chosen by the minister later this year.
There are many developments around hydrogen and hydrogen production in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is therefore among the leading countries in Europe in the field of hydrogen technologies, a recent study on hydrogen technology patents by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) showed. TU Delft spinoff Battolyser Systems, for instance, is testing its hydrogen batteries in the Netherlands. Test flights between Rotterdam The Hague Airport and London are also planned with hydrogen-powered planes.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Rony Michaud via Pixabay
