University of Twente Student Theses
Strategic Niche Management for hydrogen: analysing the Hydrogen Hub Twente
Heerema, K. (2021) Strategic Niche Management for hydrogen: analysing the Hydrogen Hub Twente.
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| Abstract: | One of the biggest challenges of our time is to combat the warming of the earth. Reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) in all sectors and every society is of utmost importance to overcome this challenge. A key element in the reduction of GHG emission is the transition from conventional energy systems that make use of fossil fuels, thereby polluting GHG, to more sustainable energy systems that emit less GHG. Hydrogen is seen as having a potentially large role in the energy transition. This is also recognised by several actors in the Twente region, which aim to establish the Hydrogen (H2) Hub Twente. In this study, this hub is analysed using the theory of Strategic Niche Management (SNM). SNM theory is a tool for assessing radical socio-technical innovations and innovation programmes. The method of Social Network Analysis is used in this study for analysing the network relations in the H2 Hub Twente and this analysis was connected to the SNM theory for eventually answering the research question of this study: ‘To what extent do actors in the Twente region collaborate to making the shift towards a hydrogen-based economy and which recommendations can be made to improve this process?’ Interviews and a survey were conducted among the actors involved in the H2 Hub Twente to collect data for this study. By also conducting desk research, which included the analysis of policies, publications and other available information about hydrogen in Twente and the H2 Hub Twente specifically, the hypotheses were tested. In conclusion, this study shows that collaboration among actors in Twente is currently happening, although some improvements could be made for stimulating the use of hydrogen by establishing the H2 Hub Twente. First, the diversity of actors could be improved. The focus currently lies on involving private companies, while it would be beneficial for the long-term to include interest- and citizen groups at an early phase. Also, the involvement of local and national governments would contribute to the H2 Hub Twente. The lack of presence of these governments currently causes several problems for actors in the H2 Hub Twente. Second, the expectations and objectives of each individual actor, which are called beliefs in this study, should be expressed more explicitly and shared with other actors to create a better alignment of these beliefs. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 43 environmental science, 70 social sciences in general, 88 social and public administration |
| Programme: | Environmental and Energy Management MSc (69319) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/88577 |
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