Port of Amsterdam and Firan are investing in a detailed design for H2avennet, a public hydrogen distribution network in Amsterdam’s port area. Once completed, this local hydrogen network – a sustainable solution to move away from natural gas – will be available for companies wishing to use or produce hydrogen.
The completion of the preliminary design and the decision to proceed with the detailed design bring Port of Amsterdam and Firan (part of Alliander) one step closer to connecting companies to the hydrogen grid in due course. Indeed, interested parties in the port area will be contracted in the coming period, with the grid expected to be operational in 2026. Nine companies have already signed a letter of intent to connect to the 13-kilometre network.
Edward Stigter, member of the North Holland Provincial Executive:
“With this hydrogen network, major steps are being taken towards the energy transition – steps for the entire Amsterdam port area and steps for smaller and medium-sized industries in particular. By granting a subsidy for this project, hydrogen can really take off in Amsterdam. And that is another sustainable milestone for the province of North Holland that we can be proud of.”
Hydrogen use and production
The proposed public low-pressure hydrogen distribution network is a sustainable energy solution helping the Amsterdam port area to move away from natural gas. The network will be suitable for companies wishing to use or produce hydrogen. The aim is to connect companies under similar conditions. Firan will build and manage the hydrogen distribution network.
CO2 reduction
With the hydrogen distribution network, Port of Amsterdam intends to boost the energy transition in the port and industrial area, so that companies can make their operations more sustainable by reducing their CO2 emissions in time to meet the climate target of a 57% CO2 reduction by 2030. Using fully green hydrogen will save an estimated 336 thousand tonnes of CO2 per year. In addition to being more sustainable, the hydrogen grid will also take the pressure off the electricity grid and relieve current congestion problems. Crucial aspects to achieve that are the availability of hydrogen as an energy carrier and raw material and Firan’s hydrogen transport infrastructure.
From local to national network
In due course, the local hydrogen distribution network in Amsterdam will be connected to the main North Sea Canal Area Hydrogen Network pipeline owned by Hynetwork Services (part of Gasunie). That is a proposed 30-50 bar high pressure transport network, to which major hydrogen producers and customers will also be directly connected. The main pipeline is part of the national hydrogen network connecting the larger Dutch industrial clusters.
