Green hydrogen potential for the Dutch built environment

Abstract

The term “Green Hydrogen Economy” has been prevalent in the global economies in recent years. Interest in hydrogen as an energy carrier has increased due to the global increase in air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and increased energy demand. The Netherlands aspires to be a European leader in hydrogen deployment, as hydrogen is widely seen as critical to achieving the 2050 climate targets. Residential heating accounts for roughly 12% of total energy consumption in the Netherlands, with natural gas combustion accounting for 71% of this proportion. However, growing controversy about natural gas usage makes this resource less favourable due to the earthquakes caused by natural gas extraction in the Dutch gas fields. Additionally, the Netherlands has a robust gas infrastructure capable of transporting green hydrogen. Thus, green hydrogen might prove helpful in ensuring both flexibility and continuity in domestic energy demand.

The goal of this study was to explore possibilities and problems associated with the transition of the Dutch built environment to green hydrogen-powered dwellings. The shift from a natural gas-powered environment to a green hydrogen-powered environment is envisioned as a transition. This transition could be possible when there is alignment between the different levels of the society (niche, regime and landscape). The barriers and enablers with regard to the transition to a green hydrogen-powered environment have been discussed and the suggestions to overcome these have also been found. The Multi-Level Perspective was used to map the barriers and the suggestions on the three levels (niche, regime and landscape). This resulted in an approximate set of actions along with the required timeline and the actors who could work to overcome the barriers. The mapping of barriers and enablers according to the Multi Level Perspective shows a big divide between enablers and barriers. This divide has to be filled in for a smooth transition to green hydrogen. The uncertainties surrounding the energy transition in the built environment contributes to its complexity. Stakeholders are hesitant to support hydrogen energy applications in the built environment due to a lack of laws governing hydrogen usage in the built environment and significant gaps in the legislation impeding the transportation and manufacture of sufficient quantities of green hydrogen.