Marlies van Dijk (project leader Energy Transition and Agri Development Company NHN), was recently a guest at the masterclass 'Hydrogen: Food for thought'. With Erik Metselaar (business development manager GP Groot) and Wim Roks (fleet manager Simon Loos) she discussed the potential of hydrogen as a fuel for mobility.
The representatives of GP Groot and Simon Loos clearly indicated that for heavy transport, hydrogen is preferred over electric driving. This is partly due to the charging time required to supply a truck with energy. Filling up a truck with hydrogen only takes a few minutes. While it takes a few hours at a fast charger to charge the battery of a truck up to 80%.
To make the transition possible in the region, it is necessary that filling stations are built. The NXT filling station of GP Groot will soon be put into use in Alkmaar. Among other things, two trucks of GP Groot will be refueling hydrogen here. The run-up to the opening took a long time. All in all, about four years, Metselaar estimates. This has less to do with the technology, but more with things like obtaining the necessary permits. There is also a lack of up-to-date regulations on the part of the government.
The video also discusses the Hydrogen in Mobility covenant (from minute 30). This covenant, which is organised by the province of North Holland and in which the Development Company NHN is also involved, marks the start of a collaboration for the realisation of a hydrogen network in North Holland. A large number of parties, both suppliers and users as well as municipalities, are joining forces. This with the aim of promoting the hydrogen economy in the field of mobility through mutual coordination.
The signing of this document will take place on Thursday, October 27 during the Innovation Festival in De Koepel in Haarlem.
Finally, the call to education to pay attention to training the specialists of the future. Without investments in human capital, the hydrogen transition will not get off the ground. The demand for skilled workers is already high, says Wim Roks. “The truck dealers are desperate for people who can get started with this. The combustion engine will be phased out at some point and we have to start using it in anticipation. That requires different skills. You need people who have a feel for technology and can do something with their hands. Because if something goes wrong with that truck, it has to be fixed right away.”
