University of Twente Student Theses
Hydrogen supply chains : barriers and drivers for implementation of the Dutch hydrogen economy
Gegesi-Kiss, Andras Pal (2021) Hydrogen supply chains : barriers and drivers for implementation of the Dutch hydrogen economy.
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| Abstract: | Through signing the Paris Climate Agreement and national policy programs, the Netherlands has set ambitious GHG emission targets to become virtually climate neutral by 2050. To design and operate a new energy system, based on carbon-free green energy, the supply and demand side of this energy has to be developed with a different approach. Out of the multitude of potential solutions, hydrogen is increasingly considered as the energy carrier with the most versatile field of applications. This has also been recognised by the Dutch Government through a large number of research and development programs with the aim of establishing a comprehensive hydrogen economy throughout all major industrial sectors. This thesis project analyses the expectable challenges and drivers along the Dutch hydrogen supply chain by using an innovation and transition framework (TIS) paired with qualitative data collection through expert interviews. After applying the TIS framework to examine the current status of the hydrogen supply chain and receiving additional data through the interviews, several challenges and drivers were identified. From the challenges point of view, factors like missing or unclear regulation, lack of public acceptance or undeveloped market structures were identified as major barriers to the development of a Dutch hydrogen economy. In addition to that, often overlooked circumstances such as a lack of technical workforce or the largely insufficient generation capacity for clean electricity were also highlighted by respondents. These challenges and barriers make a fast switch towards a predominantly green hydrogen economy difficult to achieve and transition periods with alternative solutions increasingly more important. The most significant drivers for establishing a Dutch hydrogen economy were the geographic conditions of the Netherlands, the level of entrepreneurial and innovative activity and the existing infrastructure and knowledge for gas technologies. The close proximity to the sea with major international ports and harbours is seen as a valuable asset for complementing the national hydrogen production with imported hydrogen. These ports also function as trading hubs towards large industrial clusters on the demand side, which are typical for the Netherlands. Historically evolved knowledge and expertise about extracting and handling of gas functions as a foundation for developing new solutions with the energy carrier hydrogen. This thesis report provides possible solutions for overcoming the existing challenges on the way towards a Dutch hydrogen economy while also leveraging the power behind the driving forces in the Netherlands. It should act as an incentive for cooperation between the involved parties to accelerate the transition of the Dutch energy system towards a more sustainable form. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Programme: | Environmental and Energy Management MSc (69319) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/88155 |
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