At first glance, the energy transition seems like a threat to a seaport that has been flourishing for decades thanks to a strong oil and gas industry. But the opposite is true. Thanks to the existing gas infrastructure and all the associated knowledge and business, Den Helder can grow into a sustainable hydrogen hub of national and even international importance.
Sustainability is not only important for road transport. CO2 emission reduction targets have also been set for shipping. While road transport can be made largely emission-free with electric propulsion, this is not an option for shipping due to the limited capacity of marine batteries. In order to be able to sail long distances, a powerful, efficient fuel is required. According to vMany experts believe that hydrogen is such a fuel. Hydrogen is easy to bunker and store, while the 'emissions' consist only of water and oxygen. The maritime sector is ideally suited to be a forerunner in reducing emissions in the transport sector.
Port areas play a crucial role in this development. Various types of infrastructure come together here, such as energy transport infrastructure, shipping routes and roads. This makes port areas extremely suitable for the development of 'energy terminals'; places where supply and demand for (sustainable) energy come together and that offer direct access to national energy networks. Port of Den Helder sees the energy transition as an opportunity and is fully committed to the development of a hydrogen ecosystem. The ambition is to gradually transform into a hydrogen hub of national importance and to play a central role in the energy supply of tomorrow.
To realise this hydrogen ecosystem, Den Helder has initiated various developments. On the supply side, for example, this involves the construction of a facility for large-scale production and supply of hydrogen to the national hydrogen network, the H2Backbone. On the demand side, Port of Den Helder is working on facilities that enable shipping companies and other maritime users to use zero-emission fuel.
For the transformation of seaport to a hydrogen-based energy terminal, we assume a phased approach. We distinguish 3 phases.
The developments taking place in the three phases are explained in more detail below.
The bunkering of hydrogen for ships is an important development for the sustainability of the port. In order to provide for this in the short term, Port of Den Helder is investing in the construction of a hydrogen bunker portInitially, this will involve bunkering hydrogen in gaseous form. However, in the long term, the intention is that seagoing vessels will also be able to come here for liquid (cryogenic) hydrogen. The bunker port will also have facilities for bunkering alternative emission-free fuels, such as methanol, sodium borohydride and ammonia.
Part of the hydrogen ecosystem that we are developing in Port of Den Helder is the realization of an integrated hydrogen value chain. This value chain under the project name Zephyros includes the following links:
Shore power
Shore power is an important part of the energy transition. Ships moored at the quay often run on generators for the required energy on board. This causes emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen and CO2, among other things. Shore power offers the opportunity to reduce these emissions by providing ships with a clean energy source.
In order to supply ships with electricity without emissions, Den Helder will have five shore power facilities that generate electricity with hydrogen. These will be included in a smart grid solution with an advanced energy management system. Together with the construction of a hydrogen bunkering port and integrated hydrogen value chain (Zephyros), the innovative shore power supply forms the basis of a hydrogen ecosystem that is expected to be ready in 2025.
From 2025 onwards, the focus will be on an accelerated expansion of the hydrogen ecosystem. A central role in this is reserved for the (intended) construction of H2Gateway. a production facility for large-scale production of low-carbon (blue) hydrogen, specifically intended for making industry more sustainable. The production process is based on the use of natural gas from fields in the North Sea, whereby CO2 is captured and stored (offshore). Via a branch of the national hydrogen network H2 Backbone to Den Helder, the produced hydrogen goes directly to industrial customers in the Netherlands and Europe.
H2Gateway guarantees an annual production of 0.4 Mton hydrogen; an amount that corresponds to approximately 25% of industrial demand. By investing in the large-scale central production of low-carbon (blue) hydrogen, the industry is able to make the transition until sufficient sustainably produced (green) hydrogen is available (see below). In addition, the facility contributes to greater security of supply and balancing of the hydrogen network.
Illustration – By centralising hydrogen production from natural gas, CO2 can be effectively captured and permanently stored in the North Sea. Industrial customers purchase CO2-free hydrogen directly via a national hydrogen network to be realised.
From 2030 onwards, a number of large offshore wind farms that are currently still in preparation will be put into operation. This will greatly increase the availability of affordable, green hydrogen. Because these wind farms are located further from the coast, the energy will largely come ashore in the form of hydrogen.
Den Helder is very favourably situated for the landing of hydrogen from the sea. In addition to the existing (gas) pipelines that land here, the infrastructure required for large-scale supply of hydrogen to the national hydrogen network is available here. Den Helder will therefore continue to develop steadily into a mature hydrogen hub from 2030 onwards. As the hydrogen economy grows, the port facilities will grow along with it. This includes further expansion of shore power facilities, but also the realisation of a bunker facility for cryogenic hydrogen.
Illustration – After the realization of offshore wind farms and electrolysers, green hydrogen can be produced on a large scale via a national hydrogen network for the growing hydrogen market. The production and consumption of sustainable hydrogen in the Netherlands is increasing and can be expanded to other European countries.
