In the Rozenburg district of Rotterdam, a trial is starting to heat homes with 100% hydrogen. The companies Bekaert Heating, Remeha, DNV GL, the municipality of Rotterdam, housing association Ressort Wonen and network manager Stedin are all involved in this project.
The test is a first, because never before have houses been heated in the Netherlands with HR boilers using pure hydrogen.
When burning hydrogen gas, unlike natural gas, no CO2 is released.
Hydrogen will be produced locally with green electricity and transported via a separate gas network from Stedin to the boiler house of the apartment complex. Both a Bekaert Heating and Remeha boilers will subsequently heat part of the units.
Further investigation required
The use of hydrogen for heating houses appears to have potential, but still needs further investigation. No large-scale experience has yet been gained with the production, distribution and use of hydrogen. Network operators in the Netherlands therefore argue that until 2030 the focus should be on the development and use of hydrogen in industry and on a number of pilot projects. For that reason, Stedin asked the specialists of Bekaert Heating and Remeha to participate in the Power2Gas project in Rozenburg. DNV GL takes care of the technical aspects and safety of the project.
Hydrogen as an alternative to heating
Reducing natural gas consumption and making homes natural gasless will gain momentum in the coming years. In the future, hydrogen, in addition to green gas, all-electric and heat networks, can be an alternative to sustainable heating of homes.
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