The Dutch company went under the name ‘H2Watt’ German hydrogen cooperation project starts. To this end, the municipality of Ameland signed a cooperation agreement together with MARIKO (German nautical research institute), FME (entrepreneurs’ organization for technical companies with 2,200 members) and the municipality of Borkum.
From December 7, 2022, a fuel cell that ran on hydrogen was on Ameland for six weeks. This test was intended to show that hydrogen can reduce power peaks in the grid. The test has proven that this works. In our opinion, hydrogen becomes therefore an important energy carrier for the built environment. This test was not only technically interesting, but also taught us and the Netherlands a lot in the field of permits, tendering and safety. In total, approximately 200 interested parties attended the explanation of the fuel cell on location in the Ballumbocht on the Municipal Works site.
The initial goal (2019) of the H2Watt project was to set up a complete hydrogen chain. Part of this included converting a water taxi to hydrogen.
A roadmap for hydrogen options on the island was drawn up in 2020. The electrolyser that was needed to to produce hydrogen from green energy was not available. An important project partner also decided to use a different type of sustainable fuel for its activities. This changed course and we set our sights on testing a hydrogen fuel cell for use in the built environment.
Leasing of a hydrogen fuel cell has been prepared for 2021. There was a tender procedure for this necessary. Furthermore, preparations for the purchase and supply of hydrogen have been initiated and a site layout has been made for the Ballumerbocht.
Watch [the short film] here( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaChCrbjshk) about the test with the fuel cell on Ameland, as part of the H2Watt project.
