Hydrogen Drops

Hydrogen in Rotterdam

The Port Authority is working with various partners towards the introduction of a large-scale hydrogen network across the port complex, making Rotterdam an international hub for hydrogen production, import, application and transport to other countries in Northwest Europe. The hub will also enable Rotterdam to maintain its position as important energy port for Northwest Europe in the future.

Hydrogen plays an increasingly important role in several different ways. As well as being a replacement for natural gas in generating heat in the process industry, hydrogen is also a building block for the manufacturing of products in the sustainable chemical industry. Hydrogen is also developing itself as an important energy carrier in aviation, shipping and heavy road transport, and will also be used to heat homes and greenhouses.

There are many adventages of establishing a hydrogen hub in Rotterdam. Large-scale use of hydrogen in industry can considerably reduce carbon emissions. A hydrogen network will also enable the port to continue to play a leading role internationally, as well as remain the motor of the national economy.

Backbone for hydrogen

The Port Authority is working with Gasunie to develop a backbone for hydrogen across the port. The plan is for this to be operational as early as 2023. Companies will be able connect to this network to collect or supply hydrogen. Wind-powered electrolysers will connect the main transport line to several central points where the hydrogen is produced. In practice this will involve multiple locations, the first of which is being planned on Maasvlakte 2.

This setup will stimulate hydrogen use in industry as well as the development of the hydrogen market. The Port Authority is working with partners to develop both blue and green hydrogen, with blue hydrogen preparing the way for the later arrival of green hydrogen. This offers potential for a rapid increase in sustainability, as the infrastructure for ‘blue’ will soon also be suitable for ‘green’.

This article originates from: theportofrotterdam.com

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