Stichting DEMO is the lead partner for the H2EART subsidy application and connects no fewer than 56 affiliated parties with each other. The two-person DEMO board, consisting of Patrick Cnubben and Dieter de Vroomen, is the driving force behind the regional hydrogen ecosystem in East Netherlands, Münsterland, and Emscher-Lippe.‘If we don't act now, we will have a highly frustrated energy system in the coming decades. We may have energy – after all, we have enough wind turbines, solar panels, and fossil energy for generation – but that energy won’t reach companies and residents at the right time in the right place,’ warns Patrick. ‘Hydrogen can play a role in solving that grid congestion and also contribute to climate goals. The gas pipelines are already in place, now hydrogen just needs to flow through them.’‘Worldwide, major molecular flows are starting to develop,’ Dieter continues, referring to hydrogen. ‘But the Netherlands has done little in response so far. H2EART sees the solution in “hydrogen valleys.” H2EART, with participants in East Netherlands and across the border in Germany, is one of them.’Hydrogen valley across bordersH2EART is unique because this hydrogen valley transcends borders. Dieter: ‘As lead partner, DEMO is responsible for applying for the €20 million European subsidy. Of course, we sincerely hope the region receives it. But in any case, we’ve already achieved a lot with H2EART. There are 56 affiliated parties – mainly from East Netherlands and Germany, but also from Italy, Lithuania, and even Brazil, Morocco, and South Africa – and they are finding each other more and more.’‘Connecting the dots,’ Patrick calls it. ‘By engaging in dialogue with all parties in the ecosystem and referring them to opportunities, businesses come together. One can produce hydrogen, another can use, store, or transport it. It's all about matchmaking. In addition to connecting supply and demand, we facilitate knowledge sharing. For this, institutions such as Saxion University of Applied Sciences and HAN University of Applied Sciences are involved. But also grid operator Liander.’Flying start with subsidyEuropean subsidies can give companies a flying start in producing, transporting, or using hydrogen. ‘Small and medium-sized enterprises, which characterize East Netherlands, Münsterland, and Emscher-Lippe, often lack the money or personnel for research and development. Subsidies can lower the threshold to invest in hydrogen anyway. Thanks to H2EART, we connect all initiatives and knowledge and create one hydrogen network. The many small companies together form one large party,’ says Dieter.Scaling up valleys can boost the economyAccording to Patrick and Dieter, the cross-border H2EART project could be replicated in other European regions: ‘The hydrogen valley we are developing here and everything we learn can be copied elsewhere. That way, we accelerate the hydrogen transition in Europe. This helps European countries become less dependent on other continents for energy. And that is important for economic development and sustained growth.’

Experts with a hydrogen vision: DEMO working hard to secure €20 million in European regional hydrogen funding