Hydrogen technology development and assessment for accelerated use

Hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role as an energy carrier when there is no wind or solar production and can replace fossil fuels as a fuel source in several specific applications as a source of high temperature heat, for local electricity production or in transportation when electrical grid power and the use of batteries are technically not feasible. If produced from green electricity sources hydrogen is completely carbon neutral. The focus of this PhD position is on the analysis and development of the legal framework that can accelerate the direct use of hydrogen in the Netherlands and beyond. The existing market for hydrogen is small, hydrogen is still produced from natural gas, and it is mainly used as feedstock in chemical processes. The acceleration of the direct use of hydrogen is thus important to develop the demand for green hydrogen markets in the Netherlands and beyond, to achieve the climate goals and guarantee energy independence. This requires the right legal framework to be in place.