Benjamin Pilzer is a hydrogen business developer at Firan, a sister company of grid operator Liander. Firan focuses on the energy of the future: heat, cold, hydrogen, sustainable gases, and solar and wind energy. Benjamin is working in Deventer on the first public regional hydrogen distribution network. The goal: a hydrogen network that keeps growing and to which many companies in East Netherlands connect."The national hydrogen network must be developed, but regional networks are just as important," says Benjamin. "The cluster 6 companies are the engine of the regional economy. So those outside the five industrial clusters should also have the opportunity to connect to hydrogen. That’s what I’m working on in East Netherlands, from Firan," says Benjamin. In cluster 6, companies collaborate to accelerate the greening of industry and logistics by integrating hydrogen as a clean energy source. "Due to grid congestion and the need for sustainability, connecting to hydrogen is essential. I therefore strongly support H2eart’s ambition to develop a regional hydrogen ecosystem in the eastern part of the country."Public Regional Hydrogen Distribution Networks In the Overijssel city of Deventer, Firan is working on the first public regional hydrogen distribution network. It is expected that in the second half of 2026, the first two companies will be connected. These are Nefit Bosch and Nefit Industrial. "Although the names suggest otherwise, these are individual entities. The producer is Essent and the distribution is done by Firan," says Benjamin. "It’s not a pilot, not a demo, not a point-to-point connection, but a real network! Later, more companies can be connected." In Barneveld, Firan is working on a similar public hydrogen network. Both in Deventer and Barneveld, there will be a local electrolyzer for hydrogen production.Joint Development of a Private Network In Arnhem and Nijmegen, the four brick factories under the name Brick Valley might become a big success in the future; they are considering developing their own network, with Firan possibly handling the distribution. "Because of their locations near the river, the brick factories can have their hydrogen delivered by water. From the quay, it can then be transported via a pipeline to the factories."Sustainability and an Alternative to Electricity According to Benjamin, the impact of the projects in Deventer and Barneveld goes beyond those locations. "Once there is a system, the pipelines are in place, and companies are connected, demand will arise from other companies in the region," he predicts. "You have frontrunners, or ‘early adopters,’ and you have followers. One thing they have in common: they are looking for a solution for sustainability and an alternative to electricity. Frontrunners here are Nefit Bosch, Nefit Industrial, and Brick Valley. If it works for them, the rest will follow."Accelerating the Hydrogen Transition "European funding for H2eart accelerates the hydrogen transition in East Netherlands and Germany," Benjamin concludes his story, "with the prospect of connection to the national and European hydrogen backbone."Check <a href="https://www.firan.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">the website of Firan</a>.&nbsp;

Entrepreneur with a hydrogen vision: Benjamin Pilzer is working on the future