Strategies for building a sustainable hydrogen economy

On December 5, 2024, Dr. Beata Kviatek, UNLOCK project leader and Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy, had the honor of addressing key legal aspects of hydrogen market development in the Netherlands at BarnTalk, a prominent event focused on the hydrogen economy, organized by ENTRANCE - Centre of Expertise Energy.

During her presentation, Dr. Kviatek provided valuable insights into several critical topics:

• The legal challenges faced by businesses, as well as regional and national governments, in developing the hydrogen market.
• An analysis of the new EU regulatory framework and its implementation hurdles.
• The far-reaching implications of the energy transition, particularly in the context of hydrogen.
• Strategic recommendations for building a robust and sustainable hydrogen economy.

Dr. Kviatek emphasized the diverse challenges encountered by various stakeholders:

• Entrepreneurs: Navigating complex regulatory landscapes and securing necessary permits for hydrogen projects.
• Local Governments: Streamlining and expediting permitting processes, despite the shifting nature of hydrogen-related regulations.
• National Governments: Ensuring compliance with EU renewable hydrogen targets for 2030 and 2035, while developing national hydrogen markets in alignment with European standards.

The presentation also delved into the critical permits and safety requirements for hydrogen projects:

• Environmental Permits: Required for the construction and operation of hydrogen installations.
• Safety Standards: Compliance with the Publicatiereeks Gevaarlijke Stoffen (PGS) guidelines to ensure safe handling and storage of hydrogen.
• RFNBO Criteria: Criteria for renewable hydrogen and its derivatives used in industrial applications, ensuring environmental sustainability.

Dr. Kviatek highlighted the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), which introduces obligations for EU member states to ensure a significant portion of hydrogen used for final energy consumption and non-energy use comes from renewable sources by 2030 and 2035. She also discussed the EU Hydrogen and Gas Decarbonisation Package, which seeks to phase out fossil gas and establish internal markets for renewable gases, including hydrogen.

Watch the recording of this Barn Talk on hydrogen market development here (in Dutch): Kijk de Barn Talk | De Waterstoftransitie terug - ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE - Centre of Expertise Energy is a knowledge community focused on fostering a resilient and sustainable energy supply. Through high-quality applied research and education, ENTRANCE champions sustainable innovations in collaboration with businesses, citizens, students, social organizations, and governments. Their mission is to engage various stakeholders in the energy transition to promote a more sustainable society. 

BarnTalk is a monthly event organized by ENTRANCE, where experts, policymakers, and visionaries gather to discuss the latest developments in the energy transition. These sessions, held in the Energy Barn in Groningen and available online, are free to attend and provide a platform for networking and the exchange of innovative ideas. After each talk, attendees are invited to join networking drinks, facilitating further collaboration and dialogue.