From production, to end users, from research to financing. We are not the web itself, but ensure that everything and everyone come together nicely.”
The activities rest on four pillars. “First, we develop and coordinate hydrogen projects together with our partners, such as industrial companies and governments. We have been doing this for years, and the great thing is: we have proven that hydrogen technology does work over time. Opening hydrogen filling stations? Check! Running a truck on hydrogen? We did it! A hydrogen garbage truck that not only keeps the streets clean, but also the air? Double check! We do this, of course, in collaboration with numerous partners from across the Benelux countries and beyond.”
Knowledge and experience In addition, WaterstofNet sees itself as a knowledge centre. “If members in our network have questions about hydrogen, they can come to us for advice. We also organise field trips to realized hydrogen projects, accompanied by the necessary networking opportunities. The best of both worlds.”
Furthermore, there is the Hydrogen Academy: with 36 presentations by specialist industry experts, it provides a good foundation and in-depth information on the entire hydrogen chain. These are organised both in Flanders and in the Netherlands. The next edition will consist of six consecutive Monday Evening sessions in spring 2025, in Eindhoven.
Advocacy is the fourth, important, pillar. “We make sure that the interests of the hydrogen sector are heard. We represent the Belgian hydrogen industry at the national and international level and make sure we have the right people in the right place to help shape policy. We do this through the Belgian Hydrogen Council.” From January 2025, RH₂INE will also be linked to the network. “This will allow us to further strengthen our role as a connecting force in the European hydrogen economy. It is an exciting time for us, and we have high hopes for the chances ahead of us.”
Further expansion WaterstofNet team sees plenty of opportunities. “As WaterstofNet, we are by no means the only newcomers to the RH₂INE consortium. It did indeed start with two founding organisations, namely the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Dutch province of
Bert De Colvenaer, CEO WaterstofNet
Zuid-Holland, but we are steadily expanding the network. We now count more than 45 partners, from both government and industry, who have signed a so-called Letter of Intent with us. The idea is to cover the entire Rhine basin, not only the Rhine itself, but also the rivers connected to it. This means that more regions will be represented in this basin. Meanwhile, on the Dutch side, we have not only the province of South Holland, but also North Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland and Overijssel on board, and in Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate has already joined North Rhine-Westphalia. Flanders is represented by the Flemish Waterway.”
The ports are also important new partners. “We welcome four ports, which have an active role in our steering committee: Rotterdam, Duisburg, Basel and the port of Antwerp-Bruges. Talks with other regions and governments are also in full swing. I can only repeat myself, we are in an exciting process with great developments in the pipeline.”
Outlines A brand-new office, a dozen new members and a good portion of new energy also bring a new action plan for the RH₂INE network. Verlinden sketches the outlines.
“From 1 January 2025, WaterstofNet will take over the coordination of the secretariat, or what will from then on be called the programme office of the RH₂INE network. This step marks a
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