LIFE NEW HYTS: reNEWable green Hydrogen for TranSport

Renewable energy in transport

Road transport accounts for 21% of global CO₂ emissions. Renewable energy can reduce these emissions, but with a share of just 8.1% in 2018, the EU has a long way to go to reach its goal of a 32% share by 2030.

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell engines can play a crucial role in reaching EU targets. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are more suitable for heavy vehicles and long-distance transport than battery-powered electric vehicles. Currently, 95% of the world’s hydrogen (H₂) is produced from fossil fuels, with just 5% coming from renewable energy – green hydrogen – that can reduce GHG emissions. The production and use of (green) hydrogen in transport are in an impasse. Since only a few hydrogen vehicles are in use, the incentive to open hydrogen fuelling stations in the Netherlands is low. And since there are a few fueling stations, the opportunity to drive on hydrogen is limited. This impasse hinders the scale-up towards hydrogen in transport. Additionally, investment costs in green hydrogen production are high, and a hydrogen distribution system is lacking.

The province of Utrecht in the centre of the Netherlands is Netherlands’ primary transport hub and the region with the highest transport density. The province set up a Covenant in which parties committed to boosting hydrogen uptake in the transport sector.

Demonstration and replication

The LIFE NEW HYTS project will demonstrate the feasibility for local production, distribution and application of green hydrogen in road transport. It aims to create the right conditions for the rapid uptake of green hydrogen-fueled heavy-duty vehicles.

The project will provide the Province of Utrecht with valuable data and practical support for accelerating the uptake of green hydrogen in transport, expanding the Covenant. LIFE NEW HYTS will serve as a demonstration case for regional green hydrogen production, distribution and use. The project will transfer knowledge to other municipalities in the Netherlands and the Bruges region in Belgium, and the NorthRhein Westphalia region in Germany.

Tangible results

LIFE NEW HYTS expects to deliver the following results:

• Installation and operation of a 2MW electrolyser, producing 650 tonnes of green hydrogen during the project and 1.875 tonnes during its technical lifespan of 10 years. By using the produced H₂ in heavy-duty vehicles, the project will save 10 206 tonnes CO₂ emissions (4 082 tonnes annually) and an expected amount of 34 700 tonnes CO₂ during the technical lifespan.
• Six zero-emission Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) for transport, consuming ca 35 000 000MJ of renewable energy, a reduction on the estimated 45 500 000 MJ with fossil fuel since FCEVs are 30% more efficient than diesel trucks).
• Eight dual fuel machines (diesel/H2), which are expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 22% and NOx emissions by 75%.
• Business case for the project’s approach and a Life Cycle Analysis.

Project partners