Eneco, Coöperatie Deltawind and HYGRO have recently decided on a strategic partnership for this. As “Consortium of Producers”, they set to work on the large-scale use of hydrogen turbines connected to a pipeline.
A wind turbine can deliver more energy if the energy is converted directly into hydrogen, instead of electricity. This direct conversion is realised by integrating an electrolyser to the wind turbine. Eneco, Coöperatie Deltawind and HYGRO Energy will look, as “Consortium of Producers”, into the large-scale use of hydrogen turbines in a wind farm with pipeline as a sustainable energy source for the village Stad aan 't Haringvliet (project Hydrogen city). If the residents decide to switch to hydrogen to heat their homes, then reliability and high security of supply are of great importance.
Two years ago, the initiative to use hydrogen as an energy source for homes in Stad aan 't Haringvliet, started. The village council and active residents saw the opportunity to become natural gas-free by means of hydrogen. The development takes a lot of effort as legislation and regulations as well as and financing options, are not yet designed on hydrogen. But if we succeed in bringing about the change, the entire village can become natural gas-free in one go.
To be able to make the switch to hydrogen, the entire chain needs to be made suitable for hydrogen. In homes, this means checking the pipes, a new central heating boiler and cooking electrically. Pipes on the street also need to be checked and adjusted. And a reliable production must be in place. For this the Consortium of Producers are now starting a research.
In the coming years, the idea will be further explored with the residents and all other partners, such as Stedin, Gasunie, the municipality, the province and local entrepreneurs. The aim is to have the supply of hydrogen by 2025 at the latest. And when the residents of Stad aan 't Haringvliet want to, they are the first customers.
