[{"command":"settings","settings":{"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"hm_theme","theme_token":"oAeWOGfUMx25drq_KS7jW8O090TlCRzmNtXlqJX4c5I","libraries":"eJwDAAAAAAE"},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"form_action_p_pvdeGsVG5zNF_XLGPTvYSKCf43t8qZYSwcfZl2uzM":true},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"2af85631393b514cbde3779a1f71d92618d53b94b54ea1960d28b2e2d121ff12"}},"merge":true},{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/9539\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHydrogen heads home to challenge oil and gas as local energy supply\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Northern Netherlands region used to be prime gas country. One of the largest gas fields in the world was found underfoot in Groningen province. Gas extraction from the territory helped bankroll the Netherlands for decades. But times are changing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0027Gas production is winding down,\u0027 said Jochem Durenkamp, hydrogen project manager at New Energy Coalition. \u0027Which would mean the north would lose many jobs. Hydrogen turned out to be a perfect replacement.\u0027\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EWith gas extraction and related jobs coming to an end, these northern regions are seeking alternatives. Furthermore, shifts in the soil from drilling for gas are causing minor earthquakes, with 72 registered in 2021 alone. This has significant economic repercussions, particularly when it damages houses in the area. As much as \u20ac1.2 billion has been paid out in compensation for earthquake damage since 1991.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Northern Netherlands region is setting out to become a so-called \u201cHydrogen Valley\u201d. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/875090\u0022\u003EHEAVENN\u003C\/a\u003E project, coordinated by the New Energy Coalition, is at the helm. The region is tapping European support to develop the infrastructure necessary to adopt green hydrogen as a locally produced energy supply. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe European Union has an eventual target of 100 of these hydrogen valleys. Currently there are 23 in Europe at various stages of development, with the ambition to double this total by 2025. Dozens of projects have commenced all over Europe and in 20 countries worldwide, in a rapidly evolving clean energy investment trend worth billions. Follow the link for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.h2v.eu\/hydrogen-valleys\u0022\u003Ea\u0026nbsp;map of hydrogen valleys\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe strategy is to provide a regional economic impetus while also fighting the main driver of climate change, the burning of fossil fuels. Eventually, when enough regions emerge, they will join up to create a wide-scale hydrogen-based economy founded on a clean, secure energy supply.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGreen hydrogen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Northern Netherlands is in an ideal position to take advantage of the hydrogen opportunity. Located close to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euractiv.com\/section\/energy\/news\/germany-denmark-netherlands-and-belgium-sign-e135-billion-offshore-wind-pact\/\u0022\u003Ethe rapidly expanding offshore wind farms of the North Sea\u003C\/a\u003E, it has a direct line of renewable energy to manufacture green hydrogen. On top of that, the previous gas exploitation in the region has created a body of knowledge and skills that easily transfers to the production, distribution, storage and consumption of hydrogen in the local economy.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EHydrogen turned out to be a perfect replacement for gas.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EJochem Durenkamp, HEAVENN\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe idea behind hydrogen valleys is to create a self-sufficient hydrogen ecosystem from start to finish. In the case of HEAVENN, that begins by identifying sites where the electrolysis process can be used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen by use of electricity.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EA Hydrogen Valley is a medium-sized area where clean hydrogen is produced locally and consumed by homes, vehicles and industry. The goal is to initiate a hydrogen economy at the community level. Eventually the regional hydrogen valleys will join up to create wider economic zones powered by hydrogen.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen this electricity is derived from renewable sources, like offshore wind in the case of HEAVENN, the hydrogen is considered to be a green energy source. Most usually stored as a gas, this zero-emission energy carrier is used to fuel everyday applications such as in transport, heating and industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EHEAVENN, for example, invests in projects for hydrogen-based mobility with a number of hydrogen filling points for every kind of hydrogen powered vehicle \u2013 from cars to trucks and buses. Hydrogen will also be used to power a datacentre and to heat residential neighbourhoods.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EBuilding energy ecosystems is not easy. \u0027The project includes thirty partners,\u0027 said Durenkamp. \u0027It\u0027s a big challenge to coordinate what they do, but building this ecosystem is key for hydrogen.\u0027\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the partners, the local community is also an important player. \u0027It\u0027s very important that inhabitants are consulted,\u0027 said Durenkamp. \u0027Where before, energy was extracted from underground, it\u0027s now very visible in the landscape with wind turbines, solar panels and large electrolysis facilities. Whenever something is done in the project, it\u0027s done together with the local inhabitants.\u0027\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClean energy islands\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAnother region unlocking hydrogen\u2019s potential is the Spanish island of Mallorca, which styles itself as a \u0022Hydrogen Island\u0022.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EWith hydrogen we want to re-industrialise Mallorca, and decarbonise the Balearic region.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EMar\u00eda Ja\u00e9n Caparr\u00f3s, GREEN HYSLAND\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0027The idea of the project came when CEMEX, a cement manufacturer, announced it would close its plant on Mallorca,\u0027 said Mar\u00eda Ja\u00e9n Caparr\u00f3s. She acts as coordinator of hydrogen innovation at Enag\u00e1s, the Transmission System Operator of the national gas grid in Spain. \u0027With hydrogen, we want to re-industrialise the island and decarbonise the Balearic region.\u0027\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EKnown as\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/101007201\u0022\u003EGREEN HYSLAND\u003C\/a\u003E, the project will create an ecosystem of hydrogen producers and users across the Mediterranean island. Achieving this will cut down on expensive energy imports and eliminate harmful emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ECentral to this is an electrolysis plant that produces hydrogen from energy supplied by two newly built solar-power plants. This hydrogen is then used in a range of different applications in the locality. For example, the public transport company of the city of Palma de Mallorca is rolling out hydrogen-powered buses. Another use-case is to power the island\u2019s vital ferry port and even to provide energy for a hotel. But community energy needs community support.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERenewable diversification\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0027It\u0027s key to have the support of society,\u0027 said Ja\u00e9n Caparr\u00f3s. \u0027Hydrogen is something new for the Balearic Islands. This project will not only promote reindustrialisation based on renewables, but will also provide knowledge, research and innovation. It is a milestone that the Balearic Islands must take advantage of, in order to promote the diversification of the production model with new, stable and quality jobs.\u0027\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe second related objective of GREEN HYSLAND is to reduce the emissions from the use of natural gas. They will inject part of the hydrogen into the gas grid, according to Ja\u00e9n Caparr\u00f3s. They are compatible sources of energy. \u0027We will build a hydrogen pipeline to transport it to the injection point,\u2019 he said, \u2018Which we will use to partly decarbonise the natural gas grid.\u0027 They plan to commence this phase by the end of 2022.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EWe want to be a blueprint for other regions across the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EJochem Durenkamp, HEAVENN\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EIn this way, hydrogen can be mixed into the existing gas infrastructure used to heat homes, hotels and industry or generate electricity. The resulting blend of gas and green hydrogen has a lower emissions footprint than just using gas by itself, a step toward complete decarbonisation.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHydrogen blueprints\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EGREEN HYSLAND even joined up with parties from outside of Europe. \u0027We are 30 partners from 11 countries including Morocco and Chile,\u0027 said Ja\u00e9n Caparr\u00f3s. \u0027They also want to develop green hydrogen ecosystems, and hydrogen valleys have an added value if we can connect with regions inside and outside of Europe,\u0027 she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0027Hydrogen valleys create new jobs, re-industrialise and create new economic activities,\u0027 said Ja\u00e9n Caparr\u00f3s. \u0027And on top of that they decarbonise. It serves the entire society.\u0027\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce this infrastructure-building and experimentation phase is complete, the lessons learned will also need to scale up. Both HEAVENN and GREEN HYSLAND want to share what they learn. \u0027We want to be a blueprint for other regions across the world,\u0027 concluded Durenkamp. \u0027If this project is a success, we want to share it.\u0027\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Ch5\u003EResearch in this article was funded by the EU. 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