The Netherlands – TNO was commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy to study the benefits of a collaborative approach by North Sea countries and how conversion to hydrogen at sea can better utilize the North Sea’s energy potential.

The paper Offshore Hydrogen for Unlocking the North Sea’s Full Energy Potential emphasizes the necessity of developing a shared vision for the future, sharing expertise, and harmonizing regulations. Furthermore, a single hydrogen market with robust infrastructure between countries is required to support the rapid rise of offshore wind.

NSEC

The North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) countries have already collaborated in the sphere of electricity and are now adding hydrogen to the agenda. Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the European Commission comprise the NSEC. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in December 2022 with the United Kingdom as a crucial partner in the ongoing development of hydrogen production, transport, and storage in the North Sea.

Hydrogen

The NSEC countries intend to create at least 76 gigatonnes of offshore wind energy by 2030, 193 gigatonnes by 2040, and 260 gigatonnes by 2050. Thus, the North Sea would meet over 90% of the European Commission’s aim of 300 GW by 2050 to cover the entire EU. A portion of the energy produced can be turned into hydrogen. This year, the Netherlands will preside over the NSEC.

Infrastructure

The report’s authors urge the governments of the NSEC countries to reach good agreements and to back them up with legislation and regulations. The necessity for additional infrastructure, as well as the options for exploiting the present structure and its security, must all be considered collectively.

Reuse

EZK commissioned TNO and DNV to perform study into the technical feasibility of repurposing mining sites and infrastructure. TNO has been collaborating with TKI Wind op zee in the offshore hydrogen knowledge platform HEROW (Hydrogen Empowering Revolutionary Offshore Wind) since the end of 2022, with the goal of developing and sharing knowledge and capacity to generate hydrogen at sea with sustainable energy. Get up.