Develop the Northern Netherlands into the leading center for knowledge and innovation in the field of green hydrogen.
Northern Netherlands is Europe’s first Hydrogen Valley. The region is at the forefront of developing hydrogen and green molecules as sustainable energy carriers. However, for their further development and application, well-trained professionals and accessible facilities for learning, testing, and innovation are essential.
That is exactly what the H₂ Knowledge & Innovation Hub (H₂ K&I Hub) stands for. This project brings together universities, universities of applied sciences, vocational education institutions, research institutes, and industry in one shared mission: to further develop Northern Netherlands into the leading center for knowledge and innovation in the field of green molecules.
The energy transition requires vast numbers of technicians, engineers, and researchers. However, because the transition is developing at such a rapid pace, a skills gap is at risk of emerging. At the same time, testing and training facilities in the region are fragmented: spread across different locations, each with its own specialization, and often insufficiently connected. As a result, companies—particularly SMEs—do not always know where to go.
The H₂ K&I Hub addresses this. By bringing together existing facilities, adding new equipment and labs, and creating a single point of entry where everyone can go, we are accelerating the energy transition.
We are establishing a professional implementation organization that connects all testing and training locations. Through a “menu,” companies and students can easily access a clear overview of all available facilities, courses, and testing opportunities. No more searching across different institutions, but one clear overview.
The physical infrastructure will be significantly strengthened at three central locations:
All knowledge and test results are actively shared, both within the consortium and with the outside world. Participating educational institutions incorporate the acquired knowledge and use the testing facilities in their curricula, and collaborate with industry to offer relevant courses. In this way, we ensure that new insights quickly find their way into practice.
Holthausen Clean Technology, Resato Hydrogen Technology, Conoship International, Technasium, Gemeente Groningen, Emmett Green, TNO, Water Campus Leeuwarden, Innolab Chemistry, Groningen Airport Eelde, Investa Expertise Centrum, HyNorth, Koninklijke Oosterhof Holman, Ekwadraat, NHL Stenden, DC Terra, Noorderpoort, Alfa-college, Entrance/Hanze, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
The H₂ Knowledge & Innovation Hub is co-funded by the Just Transition Fund (JTF), a European fund specifically established to support regions affected by the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy. Northern Netherlands—historically closely connected to the natural gas sector—qualifies for this support. The Northern Netherlands Alliance (SNN) is responsible for implementing the JTF programme in the three northern provinces. With a total investment of €15 million, this lays the foundation for a future-proof training and innovation infrastructure that will serve the region for years to come.
Noord-Nederland uitbouwen tot hét centrum voor kennis en innovatie op het gebied van groene waterstof
H2Business helps energy-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises explore hydrogen, hydrogen carriers, and other sustainability pathways.
H2Business helpt energie-intensieve mkb bij het onderzoeken van waterstof, waterstofdragers en andere verduurzamingsroutes.
