An ISPT-study shows that the Dutch industrial regions can host large-scale green hydrogen production through industrial electrolysis of water. The industrial clusters of Rotterdam, the North Sea Canal area, Geleen, Zeeland and the northern Netherlands are all suitable for a gigawatt scale electrolyser.
The Hydrohub GigaWatt Scale Electrolyser project, coordinated by ISPT, aims at bringing water electrolysis for hydrogen production to a scale that matters: the scale of gigawatts. Although the five clusters differ considerably on specific aspects, they all carry potential for large-scale production of green hydrogen.
Infrastructure
The study shows that a gigawatt hydrogen plant requires about 8 to 17 hectares, depending on the applied technology (alkaline or PEM) and the plot plan for the plant. That much space is available in all five regions.
The study underpins the importance of the available infrastructure: For a total of 22 locations the proximity has been mapped to TenneT’s 380 kV electricity grid and Gasunie’s future backbone for the transport of hydrogen. Adding to this, an inventory was carried out of existing industrial facilities for water and gas treatment.
Heat and hydrogen
Also the possibilities of utilising residual heat from hydrogen production were examined, for example for greenhouse horticulture or district heating networks. Finally, the local industrial need for green hydrogen was identified.
Electrolyser
Experts from industry, energy sector, academia and government are also working on an integrated advanced conceptual design of an industrial electrolyser, as well as a further elaboration of the costs and benefits.
More detailed results can be found in a public summary that can be downloaded here
