GZI Next: intention for hydrogen factory in Emmen signed
EMMEN – Today, July 18, 2018, representatives of the municipality of Emmen, the province of Drenthe, NAM, EMMTEC services, Gasunie and New Energy Coalition A letter of intent was signed. With this, the parties agreed to investigate the feasibility of a hydrogen plant on the site of the former gas purification plant (GZI) in Emmen. This joint study brings the sustainable future of the GZI site closer and helps the region implement the Climate Agreement.
GZI Next
After years of service, NAM decommissioned the GZI on Phileas Foggstraat in Emmen and a large portion of the GZI's associated gas extraction sites in the region in early 2018. This freed up a unique piece of land: 30 hectares designated for industrial use and an existing connection to the regional and national energy infrastructure. Based on this premise, NAM's GZI site can play a significant role in contributing to the CO₂ reduction objective, accelerating the energy transition in the Emmen region, and thus serving as an example for the rest of the Netherlands. This is the GZI Next projectResearch has shown that the site and existing infrastructure are highly suitable for an energy hub with a mix of sustainable energy sources, such as hydrogen, biogas, and solar energy.
Explore possibilities
By signing the letter of intent, the parties agree to explore the possibilities of:
- The production and use of hydrogen as an energy source, and investigating possible future upscaling based on sustainable energy sources (wind and solar energy).
- Broader research into synergy with EMMTEC services to make energy demand more sustainable.
- The installation of a hydrogen filling station.
- A 'demonstration field lab' in collaboration with educational and knowledge institutions.
Energy Emmen for the future
It is important for the municipality of Emmen to continue to make the best possible use of the GZI site in the future.
We aim to be a pioneer in the energy transition. With the oil fields in Schoonebeek and the gas fields around Emmen, we have been a significant region in energy supply for decades. In the near future, we also envision a more sustainable role here, while also maintaining employment in our region.
- Alderman Bouke Arends of the Municipality of Emmen
Energy Emmen for the future
This enables GZI Next to contribute regionally to the energy transition and also serve as an example for other regions.
Collaboration for sustainable energy
The challenge for major consumer EMMTEC services to disconnect from Groningen gas is a key reason for taking the initiative for GZI Next together with the other parties.
At the emmtec Industry & Business Park, we supply energy to large companies with a combined heat and power plant. This plant currently runs on Groningen gas, and we want and need to switch from that. This can be done with high-calorific gas, but we also want to seize the opportunity to transition entirely to sustainable energy sources. We can explore these possibilities within the GZI Next partnership. That's why we're very pleased with this collaboration.
- Hendrik van der Ploeg of EMMTEC services
Further steps
The feasibility study for the hydrogen plant is the first concrete step towards GZI Next. In the short term, NAM also aims to conclude agreements with other parties regarding the feasibility of biogas production and a solar farm. It will also be important to consider the synergy between the various energy sources; this integration is the foundation of an energy hub.
About GZI Nexxt
The GZI Next project in Emmen is transforming a fossil gas purification site into a sustainable energy hub, focusing on solar energy (SES PV Park), green hydrogen (EMMHY), and green gas production (Northstar). The GZI Next project is also connected to local industry (Getec) via a hydrogen network and has initiated the development of a green gas collection network between Emmen and Ommen.
