Roermond takes the initiative in exploring a hydrogen branch connection point

Hydrogen could offer a potential route forward, particularly for businesses with high energy demand. However, for many companies it is not yet clear what hydrogen could mean for their own operations. To gain a better understanding, Roermond is taking the initiative. Together with Hynetwork, the municipality is investigating whether a branch connection point to the national hydrogen network could be feasible.

‘When this opportunity arose, we immediately said as a municipality: we will take that step too,’ says alderman Dirk Franssen. ‘We want to understand how hydrogen could contribute to decarbonisation, but also how it could help make businesses in Roermond more future-proof.’

Businesses are looking for future prospects

One area where hydrogen could potentially play a role is the Roerstreek business park, one of the oldest business parks in Limburg. ‘It is home to a combination of high-value manufacturing companies and businesses with more energy-intensive production processes,’ says Franssen. 

‘Hydrogen could potentially offer a solution there.’ At the same time, hydrogen is not the answer for everyone. ‘Not all businesses and production processes are suited to hydrogen,’ Franssen stresses. So is it primarily a way to ease pressure on the electricity grid, or an option for processes that are difficult to electrify? ‘I think the honest answer is: both.’

To better understand where demand lies, the municipality spoke to businesses beforehand. ‘We deliberately approached a number of companies to discuss hydrogen with them,’ says economic policy adviser Sjeer Hamers. These conversations showed that businesses are looking for ways to decarbonise, but still have many questions. Franssen sums them up: ‘What could it offer my business? What would it mean in practice? And what would it cost?’

Municipality takes the first step

At this early stage, it can be difficult for individual businesses to undertake this type of study themselves. The municipality sees a role for local government here. ‘As a local authority, you can facilitate, support and coordinate,’ says Franssen. ‘It is valuable that the level of government closest to residents and businesses can play a role in this.’

A concrete opportunity to do so has recently become available. Businesses were already able to work with Hynetwork to explore a potential connection to the hydrogen network. The Valve Study Agreement, or VSA, now also enables another party, such as a municipality, to take this initial step based on a broader regional need.

Roermond is making use of this opportunity to investigate what a branch connection point could mean for the Region. ‘If you do not investigate the possibilities, you will never know,’ says Franssen. Businesses have responded positively to the initiative. ‘They appreciate the fact that we, as a municipality, are taking this step.’

Aligning with the national planning

For Roermond, this step builds on a process that began earlier. When the national government launched its hydrogen studies, the municipality became involved straight away. ‘From that moment, Roermond immediately got on board,’ Franssen explains. ‘If there is a possibility of a hydrogen pipeline coming to the area, that is an opportunity you should embrace.’

Timing is also important. Hynetwork is continuing to develop plans for the national hydrogen network. ‘It makes sense to align with the national roll-out of the network,’ says Hamers. This means that a potential branch connection point can still be considered in planning the pipeline route. At the end of June, the municipality signed the agreement. The study has since started with an initial kick-off meeting with Hynetwork.

This makes Roermond one of the first municipalities in Limburg to take this step. The municipality, Hynetwork, Enexis and other municipalities working on a VSA are coordinating regularly. Hamers is positive about the collaboration: ‘Communication is direct and straightforward.’

Peter Bosma, hydrogen business developer at Hynetwork, adds: ‘The municipality of Roermond has turned its ambitions into concrete action. Together, we are working to create a long-term perspective for sustainable energy supply in the Region.’

Opportunities for existing and new businesses

Above all, the study is intended to give businesses greater insight into the possibilities. After that, it is up to the businesses themselves. They will decide whether hydrogen is suitable for their production processes and whether they want to take the next step.

‘If we ultimately have a branch connection point on the pipeline, there must of course be businesses that want to connect to it,’ says Franssen. To enable companies to make a well-informed decision, the municipality intends to share the results of the study. ‘As far as I am concerned, the results should be accessible to businesses.’

Roermond is also looking beyond the businesses already operating in the municipality. The initiative deliberately combines economic and sustainability objectives. ‘We want to help existing businesses with their decarbonisation challenges, while also making our municipality a more attractive location for businesses,’ Hamers explains. ‘A hydrogen branch connection could also attract new businesses.’

Exploring hydrogen opportunities in your Region?

Could hydrogen play a role in your Region or industrial cluster? We would be pleased to discuss regional demand with you and explore the possibilities within the national hydrogen network. Contact us for an initial discussion.