Projects and innovations
for the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy
Hydrogen network for European distribution
GasunieGasunie is working hard for a green future. Now there is a national hydrogen network that will soon connect industrial clusters, storage locations and customers. 85% of current gas roundabout will be reused to allow green hydrogen to flow from Groningen to the rest of the Netherlands and Europe.
Buses refuel at hydrogen stations
OV bureau, Qbuzz, ShellTwenty northern regional buses are now running on green hydrogen. Especially on longer distances which electric buses cannot cover. They refuel at Peizerweg in Groningen. Here, Shell realized the first operational hydrogen refuelling point specially equipped for buses. The rest of the Netherlands will follow soon.
Self-sufficient pop venue
EM2EM2 in Groningen is the first pop venue in the Netherlands, and even Europe, to be self-sufficient in power generation -and storage. Solar panels were recently installed on the event venue's roof. A hefty investment, but as a result, EM2 is now "a sustainable event venue that provides space for companies with green ambitions that pursue impact-neutral business operations."
Hydrogen from 43,000 solar panels
Holthausen Energy Points and Century AutogroepThe municipality's vehicle fleet is increasingly running on green hydrogen. The trucks, sweeping trucks, and vans can fill up with hydrogen on their own property or fast-charge at the public hydrogen filling station in Groningen. The hydrogen is produced in an attached electrolyzer. The energy comes from 43,000 solar panels a stone's throw away. How much cleaner can it be?
HEAVENN project
QbuzzAs part of the HEAVENN project, which began in 2020 and runs until 2027, the municipality of Groningen, in collaboration with other European cities, is gaining experience with hydrogen in mobility. This project focuses on promoting and deploying sustainable transport powered by hydrogen and electricity. As of 2024, the municipal fleet in Groningen includes 18 hydrogen-powered vehicles: 6 garbage trucks (with plans to expand to 10), 1 sewage truck, 4 street sweepers, 5 passenger cars, and 2 vans. Qbuzz, the regional public transport company, operates 23 hydrogen buses in the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe as part of their sustainability strategy. The efforts made toward achieving the HEAVENN goals led the European Union to designate Northern Netherlands as the first European Hydrogen Valley.
Hydrogen Valley Campus Europe
Groningen, with its numerous knowledge, research and educational institutions, serves as the center of hydrogen expertise and innovation in Northwest Europe. We are working on the Hydrogen Valley Campus Europe: an overarching (international) program that creates hydrogen curricula, bringing together various levels of education (vocational, higher professional and academic) and multiple disciplines. We are also developing a strong knowledge ecosystem and robust R&D innovation programs through research organizations like ENTRANCE and the New Energy Academy, enabling rapid solutions to challenges in the hydrogen transition. Through 'Waterstof Werkt', which forms the basis for creating continuous learning pathways in Northern Netherlands related to hydrogen, we are preparing the human capital for future jobs.
Resato Hydrogen Technologies
Groningen Seaports
Groningen Seaports plays a key role in bringing electricity from large offshore wind farms in the North Sea ashore and converting it into (green) hydrogen using electrolyzers. The port is developing into a "hydrogen port" by collaborating with industry and government on hydrogen projects for the production, storage, distribution, and use of hydrogen in both industry and the transport sector, including refueling stations for ships and heavy transport. With a connection to an international hydrogen backbone, Groningen Seaports is positioning itself as an international hub for hydrogen export. In 2022, an LNG terminal was constructed in the Eemshaven in just 6 months, which may also be used for hydrogen imports in the future.
Warmtestad Groningen
The production of (green) hydrogen offers opportunities for making the heating supply of the city and region of Groningen more sustainable. Warmtestad is a public collaboration between the municipality of Groningen and Waterbedrijf Groningen, established to provide sustainable heating solutions for households and businesses. The goal is to provide households with affordable sustainable heat through heating networks that utilize various sources, such as waste heat from data centers, electrolyzers, and solar thermal parks. Waste heat from hydrogen production has significant potential to make Groningen's heating network more sustainable, and Warmtestad can play a central role in this.
Groningen Airport Eelde
Groningen Airport Eelde aims to be the most sustainable hydrogen-powered airport in Europe by 2030, rebranding itself as ‘GRQ Hydrogen Valley Airport’. As a pioneer in the greening of regional airports, it focuses on solar energy and hydrogen for aviation applications, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions, noise pollution and air pollution. In 2023, the airport introduced a hydrogen-powered Ground Power Unit (GPU) and has been experimenting with hydrogen for charging stations and ground vehicles, including baggage tractors and pushback trucks. Additionally, it is positioning itself as a test site for trials with new hydrogen-powered aircraft. To accelerate these initiatives, Groningen Airport Eelde collaborates closely with partners from aviation, energy, education and research sectors, speeding up the development of hydrogen applications in aviation.