HyDelta accelerates research into hydrogen applications
HyDelta, a national research program aimed at safely integrating hydrogen into existing gas transport and distribution infrastructure, formally launched this week with an internal kick-off. The collaborative program aims to remove barriers to innovative hydrogen projects and is provisionally scheduled to run until January 2022. Innovations closest to market introduction will be addressed first. The HyDelta consortium consists of DNV GL, Gasunie, Kiwa, Netbeheer Nederland, New Energy Coalition, TKI New Gas and TNO.
Hydrogen research
Precisely because there are often practical obstacles related to permits, infrastructure, or safety regulations, innovative projects fail to get off the ground or are delayed. The HyDelta program initially focuses on an integrated approach to solutions for the transport and use of hydrogen. Directly applicable research is central to this. Selected topics include: technical adjustments to the natural gas network, safety during use, hydrogen metering, odor and visibility, standardization/norms, developing educational programs, the effectiveness of blending requirements, and the economics of the hydrogen value chain. For all these topics, we will align with or build upon ongoing and planned (international) hydrogen research and initiatives as much as possible.
"This program paves the way for the actual application of green hydrogen in practice. This step is necessary and urgent to accelerate and further develop the many innovations currently underway," says Jörg Gigler of TKI Nieuw Gas, part of the Top Sector Energy and one of the financiers of the HyDelta program.
Early phase of hydrogen economy
Internationally, there has been growing awareness in recent years that the production and use of carbon-neutral hydrogen will be an indispensable part of the energy transition. In the Netherlands, too, initiatives have been taken, both by the business community and by policymakers, to launch a "hydrogen economy." Despite all these initiatives, the development of a hydrogen economy is still in its early stages. Numerous questions remain, ranging from technical issues surrounding the production and integration of hydrogen into the transport and storage system to questions surrounding its economic and legal aspects.
Results public
At the initiative of Gasunie and Netbeheer Nederland, the HyDelta consortium was formed in mid-2020. It comprises parties with extensive experience in researching and testing the transport and application of hydrogen. The consortium can carry out this phase of the research agenda, which will last over a year (until the end of January 2022, with a possible extension until the end of April 2022), because all the necessary skills and experience are present within the joint parties. Any continuation and expansion of the program from 2022 onwards is expected to involve additional expertise and consortium partners.
The program's results will be published and will therefore be publicly available. Up-to-date information is always available on the website.
About HyDelta
HyDelta is a national collaborative program focused on research into removing barriers to large-scale green hydrogen projects in the short term, enabling innovations and applications to reach the market. The program maps current and proposed Dutch plans, focusing on short-term applicability.
The HyDelta consortium is formed by:
- Financing: Gasunie – Netbeheer NL – TKI New Gas
- Research and implementation: DNV GL – Kiwa – New Energy Coalition – TNO
- Coordination: New Energy Coalition
