Electricity transmission system operator Tennet has demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale green hydrogen usage, says project manager Ruud Meuwissen.
Despite the uncertainty of a precise timeline, Meuwissen believes the wide application of green hydrogen is an imminent reality. Tennet’s use of green hydrogen was necessitated by strict emissions regulations in a Natura 2000 area close to Bergen op Zoom.
Tennet worked in partnership with others who shared the objective of green energy implementation, particularly for a ground drilling project near Bergen op Zoom. Using an electric earth drill provided by A.Hak, the project relied on power supply from Genpower, which offered three hydrogen generators and a battery pack that delivered a peak power of 450 to 500 kVA.
The set-up was tested at Genpower’s location in Groot-Ammers, South Holland, and was then transported to Bergen op Zoom with 600 kg of hydrogen. Marcel Kwakkel from Genpower admitted that dealing with a large quantity of hydrogen spread across several containers posed a significant challenge.
The hydrogen used for the drilling operation at Bergen op Zoom was sourced from Kuster Energy in Gelderland. Initially, the industry was leaning towards gray hydrogen due to availability issues. However, green hydrogen became available from a source in Groningen, leading to the implementation of an emission-free chain during the project.
Although the transportation of hydrogen to Bergen op Zoom was successful and completely emission-free, a switch to hydrogen transport on a broad scale is still in the early stages, with many questions and safety aspects that need addressing.
Securing the necessary permits for this type of project is challenging and requires considerable government support and willingness to innovate. On Tennet’s hydrogen project, the organization partnered with Twinning Energy, who successfully secured permission from the province of North Brabant for the operation.
Developments are unfolding quickly in the energy sector, particularly in the pursuit of zero emissions. Marcel Kwakkel believes that successful hydrogen projects necessitate close collaboration between all parties involved. In this case, Tennet was a client willing to be a pioneer in new energy technology, thus boosting the move towards hydrogen.
Tennet’s commitment to clean and emission-free construction aligns with its project at Bergen op Zoom. But, according to Meuwissen, it requires more than just a covenant; it requires a change in mindset and ingraining sustainability into everyday operations.
While initially, the drilling project seemed uncertain, it proved successful in demonstrating the practical application of hydrogen on a large scale. The project showed that clean, compact, and emission-free solutions like the one at Bergen op Zoom could contribute significantly to electrification.
Despite the current higher costs associated with green hydrogen compared to diesel generators, Paul Bombeld expects the economics of green hydrogen to become more attractive as demand and economies of scale increase. Showcases are a critical tool to demonstrate the viability and potential of green hydrogen solutions, inspiring more projects and facilitating technology adoption.
