Hydrogen

The energy transition really needs a big boost. Hydrogen can make an important contribution to this. Collaboration is essential in order to be able to use hydrogen successfully, for example, to contribute to CO2 reduction in industry, e-fuels for aircraft and use in the built environment.

What is hydrogen?

Hydrogen is the most common element in our universe. Under normal circumstances it is gaseous and we speak of hydrogen gas (H2). Hydrogen is also the lightest gas we know, but under high pressure it does have a high energy density of 120 megajoules (MJ) per kg. That is almost three times as much as natural gas (45 MJ per kg). Pressurising (compressing) hydrogen gas, however, also requires the necessary energy (about 10%).

What role does hydrogen play in the energy transition?

In our current energy mix, approximately 20% is supplied in the form of electricity and 80% in the form of natural gas or liquid fossil fuel (petrol, diesel). Our climate targets are going to change this situation considerably in the near future. The share of electricity generated by wind and solar power will increase sharply. For a number of applications such as heavy transport, high-temperature processes in industry and aviation, a good electrical solution is still lacking and there is still a need for a sustainable gas. Hydrogen can play a useful role here. In addition, hydrogen is important in the form of large-scale storage for those moments when it is windless and cloudy.

What are we going to use hydrogen for?

Hydrogen is particularly important for the process industry. It is now mainly used for the production of fertiliser but in the future it can also be used for high-temperature processes such as steel production for which natural gas or coal is now used. In addition, hydrogen will play a role in mobility, for example for intercity buses that have to cover longer distances and where electric driving is not a solution.

More information

If you want to know more detailed information about hydrogen, such as the difference between blue, green and turquoise hydrogen, and which countries work with hydrogen, look here.

Source: TNO

Hydrogen news

  • 02-02-2023 Hydrogen, IRO news

    Aramco positive about innovations in the Dutch offshore energy industry

    Trade mission participants and Aramco management The energy transition trade mission (from 29 January to 1 February) in Saudi Arabia, co-organised by IRO, concluded with a meeting with top management from Aramco in Dhahran in…

  • 01-12-2022 Geothermal, Human capital, Hydrogen, IRO news, Offshore Wind, Young IRO

    Offshore Energy – joining forces for Offshore Energy

    The Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference on 29 & 30 November brought together more than 400 exhibitors and more than 6,500 registered visitors in the ‘Home of Energy Transition’ in RAI Amsterdam. It was very…

  • 15-11-2022 Hydrogen, IRO news

    Fruitful hydrogen mission during ADIPEC

    Parallel to the ADIPEC (October 31 to November 3), a three-day hydrogen mission was organised by the Dutch embassies from the GCC region in collaboration with RVO and IRO. About 12 Dutch…

  • 11-11-2022 Hydrogen, IRO news, Offshore Wind, Sustainability

    North Sea Energy Roadmap

    Een geïntegreerde visie en routekaart zijn nodig om het klimaat neutrale energiepotentieel van de Noordzee te ontsluiten en tegelijkertijd de waarde ervan voor de samenleving en de natuur te optimaliseren. Er is behoefte aan…

  • 11-11-2022 Hydrogen, IRO news

    ADIPEC breaks all records, great success for Netherlands Pavilion!

    From October 31 to November 3, the annual ADIPEC exhibitions took place in Abu Dhabi. IRO again organised the Netherlands Pavilion with 30 participating companies. ADIPEC is becoming the most leading energy event worldwide and…

  • 25-10-2022 Member news, Hydrogen

    Breakthrough electrolyser development: 200 times less iridium needed

    Produced via electrolysis using electricity from the sun and wind, green hydrogen has a crucial role to play in the energy transition. Iridium is a scarce material that is presently essential to electrolysers working with…

Hydrogen events