Brabant invests over 3 million euros in innovative hydrogen technology

Brabant is taking the lead in making hydrogen production more sustainable. A collaboration between seven companies, knowledge institutions, the province of North Brabant, and the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) must ensure that hydrogen is produced more efficiently and sustainably. The province is investing more than 3 million euros in this innovation coalition, which was officially launched Friday at Fluidwell in Veghel.

Hydrogen plays a key role in making our energy supply more sustainable. It can serve as a fuel for heavy transport, a storage medium at peak load of the electricity grid, and a green building block for the chemical industry. However, current production is still expensive and often uses scarce resources.

“With this coalition, we are bringing together knowledge institutions, high-tech companies, and the province to stimulate pioneering innovations in hydrogen technology,” said Deputy Martijn van Gruijthuijsen. “We do this with a clear ambition: to contribute to green growth and the earning power of the future. By realizing concrete projects, we strengthen Brabant's hydrogen ecosystem.”

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Innovations

In the coalition, TNO Holst Centre, Fluidwell, Heattec, Adsensys, SALD, SparkNano, and VDL are working together on several breakthroughs. TNO Holst Centre is developing a new generation of electrolyzers that use up to 90% less of the scarce material iridium. Heattec works on a modular electrolyzer for local hydrogen production, while Adsensys is developing a mobile hydrogen production and filling station. Fluidwell, VDL, and Fujifilm are focusing on improvements in critical components such as membranes. SparkNano and SALD are developing special coating techniques to minimize the use of costly materials.

The new hydrogen coalition

, and the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) must ensure that hydrogen is produced more efficiently and sustainably. The province is investing more than 3 million euros in this innovation coalition, which

Economic impact

The province and BOM have jointly identified the opportunities and spearheads for the hydrogen manufacturing industry in Brabant. From this, the coalition emerged, with BOM bringing the companies into the coalition. The collaboration should position the companies as important suppliers in the growing European hydrogen market. According to the initiators, this can create hundreds of new highly skilled jobs in the province. In addition to technological innovation, the coalition also focuses on talent development through fast-track training programs and international cooperation, especially with partners in Germany. This involves the EIRES institute at TU/e, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences and Summa College.

The partners will work intensively on these innovations over the next three years. The first concrete results are expected as early as 2025.