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H2B (Hydrogen to Business)

Program: Interreg VIA Germany - NetherlandsDuration: June 2026 – September 2029Funding: €5,510,078.10Lead Partner: Oost NL

Project Details

Hydrogen can be an alternative for energy-intensive companies when electrification is not feasible. But when is hydrogen actually a good solution, both technically and economically? Through the Interreg VI project Hydrogen to Business (H2B), Dutch and German companies, universities of applied sciences, and innovation partners are collaborating to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with insight into the possibilities of hydrogen for their energy supply. The project focuses on green hydrogen, as well as low-carbon hydrogen and hydrogen carriers such as methanol, biogas, and LOHCs.H2B guides entrepreneurs step by step from research to application. First, in collaboration with universities of applied sciences, the project assesses whether hydrogen is technically and economically feasible for the company. Promising solutions can then be tested in practice and ultimately developed into a pilot project. Support of up to €20,000 is available for technological validations and up to €150,000 for pilot projects, with 50% co-financing in both cases.<h2>Why is this important?</h2>Grid congestion, high energy costs, and stricter requirements for CO₂ reduction are posing ever-greater challenges for energy-intensive companies. Electrification is not technically or economically feasible for every company. H2B therefore helps entrepreneurs determine whether hydrogen could be a suitable alternative for their specific situation.The focus is not on the use of hydrogen in and of itself, but on making a well-informed choice. Experts and universities work together with business owners to analyze which sustainability path fits their business operations and examine existing hydrogen technologies, different forms of hydrogen, and hydrogen carriers. The result is concrete advice that helps business owners determine whether further investment makes sense.If hydrogen proves to be a promising option, H2B also supports the next steps. Entrepreneurs can test technologies and prototypes in a demonstration environment or within their own company and further develop promising solutions into a pilot project. In this way, H2B reduces the risk for entrepreneurs and accelerates the practical application of hydrogen technology in the Dutch-German border region.<h2>Who is H2B for?</h2>H2B is aimed at:<ul><li data-list-item-id="ef910ee66d2af39d2d4086fc9d2c59ddc">energy-intensive SMEs in the Netherlands and Germany;</li><li data-list-item-id="e871ddfb7741fd4a4541c8db68b3bfd6c">companies that, due to grid congestion, high energy costs, or sustainability challenges, are seeking alternatives to their current energy supply;</li><li data-list-item-id="e96f116cb0dd527acbfd7a970b2803814">companies for which full electrification is not yet feasible;</li><li data-list-item-id="e685d976fb517e7dde68240887f17ab6e">companies in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, chemicals, and building materials;</li><li data-list-item-id="e76bdd82798f86e3fe44f2861c21bf8d0">Dutch and German companies that want to explore, test, or further develop hydrogen technology in practice.</li></ul><h2>What does H2B offer?</h2>H2B helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions about hydrogen and accelerates the transition of promising applications from research to practice.Among other things, the project will achieve:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e60d697b999379ec281ce07e4fc68dcce">100 feasibility studies for energy-intensive SMEs;</li><li data-list-item-id="eaa3ec05ec7e9a6cb20f4c31ebee2e82a">30 technology validations, involving a total of 60 companies;</li><li data-list-item-id="e34221219b8bf4c699f0002f172e86aad">6 cross-border pilot projects involving a total of 12 companies;</li><li data-list-item-id="e99be72cc72f964f7b7654039c8972595">practical experience with existing hydrogen technologies, green and low-carbon hydrogen, and hydrogen carriers;</li><li data-list-item-id="e827a604356aaa6ff96d985049aad6f50">new collaborations between Dutch and German companies, research institutions, and innovation partners;</li><li data-list-item-id="ebdf5534b5d05edcc90b8efd4e9599533">an open online tool and methodology that companies can use to explore the potential for a hydrogen business case.</li></ul>Added value for entrepreneurs:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e40a0fff1bb43e4142ad3d78556dba2a4">insight into the technical and economic feasibility of hydrogen for their own company;</li><li data-list-item-id="ef648e4d66cdbdd4890ff6fb71797288d">access to knowledge and expertise from Dutch and German universities of applied sciences and hydrogen specialists;</li><li data-list-item-id="e0965586c453756b6dad3687d96d12c86">support in testing technologies, prototypes, and scenarios in a real-world environment;</li><li data-list-item-id="e4fadee104936fe53455eb630657f773e">up to €20,000 in support for technological validation;</li><li data-list-item-id="eafb214b8aa83c910bc24246d6f12cfec">up to €150,000 in support for the development of a pilot project;</li><li data-list-item-id="e9d0ff8eae15c20b32f56ab906066a73e">new Dutch-German collaborations and access to testing and demonstration facilities;</li><li data-list-item-id="e278e1b6e05e0114c9310135e41aece39">greater certainty before making larger investments in a new energy solution.</li></ul>

<h2>Which partners are involved?</h2>H2B is a cross-border collaboration between Dutch and German development agencies, universities of applied sciences, and organizations with specialized knowledge of hydrogen technology. Together, they support energy-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in making the transition from feasibility studies to validation and ultimately to a pilot project. Oost NL is the lead partner of H2B.Project partners:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e6b1c06d9398493d1951be086f64e9fbf">Oost NL</li><li data-list-item-id="eb34d076e1b6daccac0c50b2a8e44475d">Technologieförderung Münster (TFM Münster)</li><li data-list-item-id="e1569db10a97559aef86a13f6ba17f311">Energy Hub Emsland</li><li data-list-item-id="e50db4dca58f4f5b5632a4659c64cda59">NOM</li><li data-list-item-id="eff65df1413b3fb48d633c821e0bdf3ad">FH Münster</li><li data-list-item-id="e8f7b3fb1b2b0f855d0c2fb7de15ed34f">Hanze University</li><li data-list-item-id="eaa2087b39e72afbbde3a676960c2fd4b">Saxion University</li><li data-list-item-id="ef0718e2802c8b5f0a0c5d675704c6098">Westphalian University of Applied Sciences</li><li data-list-item-id="eb5bd8e60ffb9b08760e9cdd0ea80c23f">Center for Fuel Cell Technology (ZBT).</li></ul>In addition, the broader project consortium includes BOM, Horizon, IHK Nord Westfalen, the New Energy Coalition, and regional German development organizations, among others.<h2>Interested in the project?</h2>Does your company have high energy demands, and would you like to know if hydrogen could be a suitable solution? H2B helps entrepreneurs first explore the technical and economic possibilities and then, if hydrogen proves promising, take the next step toward testing and practical application. The project offers access to expertise, practical facilities, Dutch-German collaboration partners, and financial support.Would you like to know what H2B can do for your company, or would you like to participate in a feasibility study, validation, or pilot project? Please contact Kirsten Nijland.Contact person:Kirsten Nijland Project Manager Energy, Oost NL +31 6 30 81 34 91 <a href="mailto:kirsten.nijland@oostnl.nl">kirsten.nijland@oostnl.nl</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/260617_Logo_transp_CMYK_H2_Business_H2_B_a32c4f2e25.jpg?token=waMa5kG-V9hw7Dp9YS1p-TpYigAGciw8XofQzB-kCZI&amp;expires=1787124339" alt="260617 Logo_transp_CMYK_H2Business (H2B).jpg" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_260617_Logo_transp_CMYK_H2_Business_H2_B_a32c4f2e25.jpg?token=nvH3fowmHXToyZT6oQIu1o0ou_LTHy7oThBP9WaHvOw&amp;expires=1787124339 245w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_260617_Logo_transp_CMYK_H2_Business_H2_B_a32c4f2e25.jpg?token=O0lLTGL-A19dP8ea-NiIXod-FKI-2zr7sJQbzuOoXj4&amp;expires=1787124339 500w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_260617_Logo_transp_CMYK_H2_Business_H2_B_a32c4f2e25.jpg?token=xkj1ESqRgm2UAH6v_i_MHLqHUUW33XC4vIwSIk1qswA&amp;expires=1787124339 750w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/large_260617_Logo_transp_CMYK_H2_Business_H2_B_a32c4f2e25.jpg?token=rLSac7_GHtaVylSKfYbisq-Ucd1C3QWcq5fQWAOknKA&amp;expires=1787124339 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>

Hydrogen to Business (H2B) promotes the use of hydrogen technology among energy-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises in the Interreg 6A Netherlands-Germany region. The project accelerates the adoption of green hydrogen, but also allows for low-carbon hydrogen and energy carriers (including methanol, biogas, and LOHCs) when electrification is not feasible. In this way, H2B directly contributes to “A more innovative program area” by increasing research and innovation capacity and introducing advanced technologies.