D4c.2 Spatial requirement contours of hydrogen projects

The new hydrogen system will also occupy space and specific choices in the design of such a system may have a substantial impact on the spatial area requirements, which, especially in a densely populated country as the Netherlands, can have consequences for its deployment. The various policy targets, plans, and scenario studies raise the question of what the spatial footprint will be for the future hydrogen system in the Netherlands. This basic question is further explored within this study in which the spatial consequences of the hydrogen system in four different future energy systems from the Integrale Infrastructuurverkenning 2030-3050 (II3050) scenario report are analysed in more detail.

The goal of the analysis presented in this report is threefold:
1. Validate the assumptions for spatial requirements from the II3050 and Programma Energie Hoofdinfrastructuur (PEH) studies
2. Include new and improved spatial requirements for key subsystems of the future hydrogen system
3. Provide a spatial assessment of the future hydrogen system in the Netherlands based on the data of the II3050 scenarios

Despite the broad bandwidth of spatial use, the total area requirement of the analysed hydrogen system in the context of the II3050 scenarios was found to be, in comparison to other systems, not excessive. Notably, our scope of the hydrogen system excludes energy supply, which will have a dramatic impact on the area requirements related to hydrogen production. Based on the estimated area requirements in this study, it should be well possible to implement a hydrogen system in the Netherlands under the condition that energy supply for hydrogen production will not be a constraint. This study also indicates that for most subsystems, specific choices and designs may allow for a more efficient use of the space and thereby reduce the total area requirements, especially when considering new land area.

Dit project is medegefinancierd door TKI Nieuw Gas | Topsector Energie uit de PPS-toeslag onder referentienummer TKI2023-HyDelta.