Hydrogen city

Green hydrogen for a sustainable built environment

In Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet, business and social parties are working together with private individuals to possibly switch to hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas in 2025. This offers property owners the opportunity to choose whether, how and when they want to save on their energy consumption, while they already meet the requirement for sustainable heating. It is important that it fits within the rules, that the solution is suitable for other comparable areas in the Netherlands or even Europe and of course that it is technically possible.

All this stands or falls with the support of the residents and other property owners of Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet, who have a decisive voice in the project. In 2021, the project will discuss a detailed proposal with the residents based on a safe, warm and affordable alternative to natural gas based on green hydrogen. The residents receive the right information to decide on a switch to this alternative, whereby they can also individually opt for an electrical solution with a heat pump.

Purpose

The project Stad Aardgasvrij – Hydrogen City aims to investigate whether and how hydrogen (H2) can be used from 2025 to heat the existing built environment of Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet, in a way that is in line with the broad group of stakeholders.

Progress

Swipe through the timelines to see the steps taken in this project.

Level 1

Phase 1: Research

Level 1

Phase 1: Research

This phase consists of three levels, each focused on research. To start with, we have a specific technology or innovation in mind. There are assumptions about the working principles, the business case and feasibility. Extensive preliminary research is required to validate these assumptions. Based on this research, we can accurately formulate the technical concept and the scope. The first tests then lead to a proof of concept.

Level 2

Phase 2: Innovation

Level 2

Phase 2: Innovation

The development phase is intended to further test the proof of concept from the research phase. That often occurs using basic prototypes on a small scale, for example in a lab or test environment. If successful, the following step is to test the technology in a relevant environment – a situation comparable to the future application. The prototypes are usually further defined in this stage. As such, a prototype is developed that demonstrates how the technology works.

Level 3

Phase 3: Pilots and demonstrations

Level 3

Phase 3: Pilots and demonstrations

In this phase, the emphasis shifts from the technological operation to issues such as production and certification. The system itself is, in fact, operational in a pilot or demonstration project. Once in practice, further fine-tuning and optimisation are unavoidable. This is also the phase to introduce the innovation to the market and to prepare for production.

Level 4

Phase 4: Ready to use

Level 4

Phase 4: Ready to use

The pilot and demonstration phase help make the innovation technically and commercially ready for production and market introduction.

Learning objectives

A complete hydrogen chain is realized here. An existing wind farm produces green hydrogen locally, just like the Oude-Tonge Energy Park. Together they supply enough hydrogen to keep the residents of Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet warm every day of the year. Use of the existing natural gas network ensures that the village is free of natural gas in one go when switching to green hydrogen. Above all, the objective is that the residents will feel comfortable after the switch and that we will be natural gas-free in Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet.

Media

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Hydrogen city