Gearing up hydrogen mobility for a healthier generation
Hydrogen fuel cell application will play a major role in the energy transition in both the Netherlands and China and is part of the national economic strategy of both countries. In China, the potential of hydrogen in addressing climate challenges, complementing the use of other renewable energy sources like wind, and solar PV, is acknowledged in local and national policy. In the past five years, the country has witnessed a growing interest in hydrogen as an alternative fuel for automotive and energy storage.
The objectives of the PIB HyNed-Hydrogen China are as follows:
- To introduce Dutch hydrogen fuel cell technologies and establish bilateral business dialogues with potential Chinese partners. Together, we can explore how we can utilise hydrogen technology in building resilient infrastructure, creating economic opportunities through cooperation between companies and research institutions, thereby fueling innovation even further (SDG 9).
- To establish the reputation of the Dutch fuel cell industry in the Chinese market. The Netherlands has a complete hydrogen supply chain, which is powering through thanks to a strong cluster in and around Arnhem (East Netherlands), the first European Hydrogen Valley in the northern part of the country and the vital role of the Port of Rotterdam, as a gateway to the European market. A wider range of application is also being explored, for example in automotive, energy storage and shipping.
- To strengthen intergovernmental cooperation between China and the Netherlands, to drive innovation in the hydrogen sector further, from production to application. By combining the use of hydrogen with fuel cells in energy supply and transportation industries, we will be able to take a significant step towards a sustainable future for the next generations
Photo credtis: Hasy
Bringing the energy transition in a full swing
The Chinese government sees the importance of international cooperation, especially in the high-tech sector, energy transition and public health sectors. As part of their energy transition agenda, China aims to create a full hydrogen supply chain. This means the Chinese government will actively promote the hydrogen industry and the hydrogen applications in the coming years. This creates B2B and B2G opportunities for the Dutch hydrogen companies united in this public-private partnership.
Via this public-private approach, the cluster aims to create market access for Dutch hydrogen related companies in China. By joining forces, being flexible and responsive to business opportunities, the cluster and the Dutch government aim to establish a well-positioned Dutch hydrogen cluster in China within 3 years.
Key areas for investment for hydrogen technology in China are
- Yangtze River Delta – Shanghai and surrounding areas,
- Jiangsu and Zheijiang provinces,
- The Greater Bay Area - Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao.
About Hydrogen
Dutch Special Envoy for Hydrogen, Noé van Hulst,
“Hydrogen is the missing link in the energy transition.”
Hydrogen is not a new focus area in the energy supply chain. As early as the beginning of the last century, hydrogen was produced on a large scale from coal (coal gasification), and until the 1960s it was used as town gas in the built environment, namely a combination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Hydrogen has also been used as raw material in the chemistry industry.
Powering sustainability
Today, hydrogen is becoming an increasingly important renewable energy source, besides wind and solar PV. In October 2019, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs published a report, which highlights the opportunities hydrogen can offer to Dutch industry and how it will become an important element in our future clean energy system.
More than half of the world population will live in urban areas and will rise to over 6.5 billion people by 2050. Creating a safe and prosperous living environment (SDG 11) requires us to transform the way we build and manage our urban spaces, as well as vital resources such as energy and water. For that reason, the Netherlands has set an ambitious goal to achieve a fully sustainable energy supply (zero carbon emission) by 2050.
Developing a green hydrogen economy
The Netherlands is already the second largest hydrogen producer in Europe. This is currently mostly so-called grey hydrogen, produced via steam-methane reforming (SMR) of natural gas, or produced as by-product from chemical processes. However, with the increased offshore renewable energy capacity, the Netherlands has high potential to develop a green hydrogen economy. Hydrogen can contribute to emission reductions in the transportation sector, clean up the petrochemical industry and accelerate the energy transition.
With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, the Netherlands builds on the potential of hydrogen, phasing up to 2030, as part of the National Climate Agreement. Governmental support for R&D, feasibility studies and business cases contribute to the development of the hydrogen sector. However, international cooperation is needed to fuel the hydrogen sector even further.
An Integrated Approach
Partners in International Business
The PIB HyNed is a public-private partnership and part of the programme ‘Partners for International Business’. The partnership includes the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, which is a government agency with access to a global network of embassies, consulates, such as the one in Shanghai, and Netherlands Business Support Offices (NBSOs). Together with clusters of Dutch businesses and knowledge institutions, as represented here, the Dutch government is developing a three-year action plan for China.
HyNed
Sponsored by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, HyNed is an unique network platform for introducing Dutch hydrogen technologies into the Chinese market. HyNed distinguishes itself through the joint efforts of the entire supply chain of hydrogen application technologies, which grant the potential customer a possibility of full overview of the Dutch hydrogen cluster. Each of the members has a specific and unique knowhow and products in the total supply chain of hydrogen production/distribution, compression, fuel cell stacks, fuel cell system development/integration, fuel cell innovation, hydrogen regulations /certification. Our mission is to introduce Dutch hydrogen fuel cell technologies and establish bilateral business dialogues with potential Chinese partners. Together, we can explore how we can utilise hydrogen technology in building resilient infrastructure, creating economic opportunities through cooperation between companies and research institutions, thereby fuelling innovation even further (SDG 9).
Cluster Partners
The coordination of this cluster is held by HyMove.
HyMove
HyMove is manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell systems for heavy duty electric vehicles like buses, trucks and ships. Complete fuel cell systems to be integrated as plug & play modules in public transportation city and intercity buses, garbage collection trucks. HyMove takes care of the design, configuration, engineering, production, integration and interfacing.
HyMove manufactures top quality hydrogen fuel cell systems for use as range extenders in electric buses, heavy duty vehicles and stationary power modules. The HyMove hydrogen fuel cell range extenders (H2FC-RE) are sizable and can add an extra 100 to 500 km to the range of an electrical (city) bus. HyMove H2FC systems meet industrial standards regarding quality, durability and fitness for purpose. The H2FC systems are automotive certified and can be built in any make electric bus.
Nedstack
Nedstack is a leading player in the PEM fuel cell industry with a strategic focus and unique track record on the high power and mission critical domain. Nedstack enables the hydrogen economy by developing, realising, verifying, applying and servicing PEM fuel cell solutions. Its products and services are superior in quality, durability, safety and reliability and are cost competitive. Nedstack has dedicated application teams for its partners in industry, maritime,
built environment and off-grid power markets.
HAN
HAN University of Applied Sciences is one of the five largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. HAN offers high-quality, practice-based education to more than 30,000 students. HAN’s centres of expertise provide tailored research to companies and institutions. And HAN has established many partnerships with universities, global companies, research centres and institutions all over the world. HAN is setting up a shared facility hydrogen lab for applied hydrogen technology research and development. The HAN Master Program ‘Engineering Systems – Sustainable Energy’ likes to welcome Chinese students.
HyET
HyET Hydrogen is a Arnhem-based company and worldwide leading in the development and delivery of Electrochemical Hydrogen Compressors and Purifiers (EHC/EHP), to enable large scale implementation of hydrogen transport modalities and high-pressure hydrogen storage. The breakthrough technology developed by HyET enables reliable and low-cost purification and compression of hydrogen in a single device up to ISO standards without the use of rotating or reciprocating equipment. HyET Hydrogen employs an interdisciplinary team of high-skilled professionals, deploying its own assembly facility and high-pressure hydrogen laboratories, to manufacture and test its unique hydrogen compression and purification equipment.
KIWA
Kiwa is a knowledge institute, an international quality authority, aiming at creating trust in products, services, processes, systems and employees, by assurance of safety and efficiency, with specialisations in the application of H2 and other gaseous energy sources. Kiwa invites companies
who need testing, inspecting, certification and consultancy to collaborate. From companies who are still in a development phase to established product manufacturers, Kiwa is able to provide its services.
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