Helping the Netherlands take the lead in the use of hydrogen with innovative, applied research
07-10-2024
Within the shared innovation program of VoltaChem TNO is working on the Power-2-Hydrogen technology to produce green hydrogen from renewable energy. Lennart van der Burg (cluster manager Power-2-Hydrogen), who has been committed to this for years, is saying goodbye and is handing over his activities to Tara van Abkoude (business developer low temperature electrolysis), Ties van Maaren (business developer high temperature electrolysis), Maryanne Maine (electrolyser testing & hydrogen international) and Martijn de Graaff (Program Director VoltaChem. In this article, Van der Burg and Van Abkoude look back on the developments of recent years and ahead of what is to come. PS: check out the job opening at the end of this interview.
“I joined TNO in 2015 and soon started to lead the hydrogen programme line within VoltaChem. Where we initially worked on hydrogen with five people, we now have a team of about fifty people”, says Van der Burg. Tara van Abkoude joined TNO in 2021 as a trainee and has since progressed to business developer. “I have a background in electrical engineering and first focused on CO2 capture and CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization) within TNO. I am looking forward to take on a part of Lennart’s business development activities on hydrogen, a great subject where I can combine my knowledge of electrical engineering and the chemical world”, says Van Abkoude.
Targeted use of hydrogen
“A lot has happened in the field of hydrogen in recent years. At the beginning of 2018, I gave a presentation at one of the first hydrogen conferences at the Ministry of Economic Affairs. At the time, the question was: ‘What should, and can we do with hydrogen?’. After that, things went very quickly in terms of attention for hydrogen. We have now reached the point where it is possible to determine where the role of hydrogen lies. As TNO we see an important function for hydrogen. But hydrogen is not the solution for everything. It must be used in a targeted way, where it can contribute the most to the energy transition”, explains Van der Burg.
Green hydrogen is needed if we want to be able to integrate all the solar and wind energy produced into our energy system. Also for sectors that are hard to decarbonise, such as high temperatures in industrial processes, heavy transport and aviation, where electricity from solar and wind is not sufficient or feasible. Green hydrogen is produced from water – without CO2 emissions – via electrolysis with sustainable electricity. In addition to expanding sustainable energy in our energy system, electrolysers are needed to produce more green hydrogen. “At VoltaChem, we are working with the industry on electrolysers with greater power, higher efficiency, longer lifespan and that can be produced on a large scale. We want to help shape the position of hydrogen and ensure that the Netherlands is a global leader when it comes to electrolysers”, says Van der Burg.
Collaboration is key
To achieve this goal many projects have been set up within the shared innovation program VoltaChem in recent years. “For example, in 2020, together with other knowledge institutes, we published the paper ‘HySpeedInnovation’ with proposals to take electrolysis to the next level. Collaboration is crucial to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen. In order to be able to take steps, investments are needed and it is important to answer questions such as ‘What are the risks?’ and ‘What are the consequences for society?’. For example, PEM electrolysers (Proton Exchange Membrane) use a fluorine membrane. These types of fluorine compounds fall under PFAS, so we have conducted research into alternatives to these membranes in electrolysers”, explains Van der Burg.
It is also important to make use of the strengths of the Dutch manufacturing industry, Van Abkoude believes. “For example, we are strong in the development of high-tech equipment, whereas Germany, with its large industry, is good at building the entire machine. As Europe, we must use each other’s strengths to prevent industry from leaving. The Netherlands is a trading country and can therefore play a connecting role across the entire chain”, says Van Abkoude.
Unlocking knowledge and legislation require attention
In order to achieve the desired acceleration, it is important that knowledge is made accessible. Van der Burg: “At the moment, there is a lack of a systematic approach to unlocking knowledge and monitoring the progress of hydrogen projects. Data, information, insights and learning experiences from ongoing projects are still shared too little, and usually only after the event. This means that everyone has to go through the same learning curve again, which is a shame. Commissioned by the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, we are investigating how we can use this knowledge to accelerate the development of hydrogen. This is quite difficult given the tension between the generic learning objectives and confidential data of companies. Nevertheless, it is important to find a solution for this in order to optimally position the Dutch and European manufacturing industry. With our unique independent position between companies and government, we are perfectly suited for this.”
In addition, Van der Burg states that it is important to pay attention to the entire chain, from the production and storage of hydrogen to how it is used. “Moreover, the hydrogen market is (for the time being) an artificial market, created by the necessary government policy and prompted by the urgent position we are in with the climate. Hydrogen cannot compete with fossil fuels in terms of costs, which is why European and national legislation and incentives are essential to make this created market a success. Legislation is crucial to really get the hydrogen chain off the ground.
Focus on high-value implementation
Van Abkoude agrees that legislation is very important. “Ultimately, legislation for the hydrogen market is needed. Together we have more influence on this than you might initially think, by keeping up the dialogue between industry and policy going. I want to focus mainly on the question of where we will use hydrogen responsibly and to support policy and industry. We now know what the no-goes are and where hydrogen does have a promising role to play. Now it is time to implement as soon as possible. This requires a number of things, such as technical upscaling and integration into the ecosystem. Through our Shared Research Programmes (SRPs), we facilitate this by putting the industrial parties involved jointly in charge of what needs to be researched during the programme, with the ultimate goal of the responsible use of hydrogen technology, upscaling and integration into the ecosystem. Working together like this, companies share the development risks and can jointly benefit from the knowledge gained. Moreover, these projects are very concrete. An SRP around PEM is paying off and a follow-up is already being considered. In addition, we will soon start an SRP around the so-called AEM electrolyser (Anion Exchange Membrane). In these types of programmes, we connect companies from all over the world. Thanks to our expertise across the entire chain, we are able to bring together the different disciplines”, Van Abkoude explains.
In order to sustainably integrate the production and application of hydrogen into society, there are still a number of barriers to overcome. “For example, the challenges regarding lifespan, maintenance and circularity of electrolysers, the disconnect between green hydrogen supply and demand, and the scarcity of materials necessary for electrolysers in combination with the geopolitical situation”, Van Abkoude emphasizes.
Industry examples
“Something new never develops as expected, especially not with an innovation like this. It took longer, but there are certainly unexpected beautiful twists and turns too. For example, Bosch in Tilburg has developed a new activity with the development of components and so-called stacks – the central element in the electrolyser – for hydrogen electrolysis. The company, which to date produces push belts for cars with high volumes and precision, knocked on our door in 2020 with the request to help develop the PEM electrolyser stack. This is a very good example of industrial transformation, how a company proactively dares to take the step towards new sustainable energy business. Another example is the company Frames from Alphen aan de Rijn that has worked with us in a number of pilot projects on the first Dutch electrolyser system, which opened in 2021. Partly due to these reference projects, the engineering company has been taken over by the American Plug Power, with the result that it is fully dedicated to hydrogen and is moving away from its previous focus on oil and gas projects. We have also been trying to help, through various projects, the Dutch company VDL become active in hydrogen. After a series of innovation projects, VDL has now set up VDL Hydrogen Systems, with a particular focus on alkaline and the high-temperature Solid Oxide electrolysers (SOE). This collaboration with the manufacturing industry is very valuable. It is also good to see that there is now an ecosystem that works with us in various programs. While there where almost no companies in the Netherlands focusing on electrolysers in 2018, there are now about 100”, Van der Burg thinks.
Looking ahead: how are you going to approach it?
“In my new role I want to connect all stakeholders involved. Both within and outside TNO, I will be asking questions about the concerns parties are dealing with. What is really needed? I want to work on concrete applications, development and research that really benefits the industry. And all this in a responsible manner: circular and in the right route. I hope to be the connecting bridge between researchers and the commercial side. With our knowledge in various areas, on a technical level but also with regard to safety, policy and behaviour, we can have an impact”, Van Abkoude states.
As a tip, Van der Burg tells her that it is important to be visible externally, also in the European field. “Publishing position papers, for example, can be helpful. As an independent party, TNO has an important role and it is therefore key to remain critical”, says Van der Burg. “I’m really looking forward to spreading the whole story about hydrogen. I am now busy visiting all our different departments, in Petten, Amsterdam, Rijswijk, Utrecht, Eindhoven and The Hague, among others, to get an overview of what TNO is doing on this subject. I think it is important to see the technologies and developments for myself and to talk face-to-face with the researchers. Furthermore, I am of course expanding my external hydrogen network by showing my face at conferences, consortium meetings and company visits to TNO. I also prefer to visit the companies themselves, you get more out of real contact than from an online meeting. Just like Lennart, I travel to all these appointments by public transport, unless there is absolutely no other option”, Van Abkoude concludes.
After more than 9 years at TNO, Lennart has found a new challenge at Rijkswaterstaat as coordinating strategic advisor energy transition. Check out the vacancy Business Developer Green Hydrogen Production
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