Hydrogen: infrastructure, transport and storage

Green hydrogen production

Offshore wind energy offers significant opportunities for large-scale hydrogen production at sea. In the next ten years, the number of offshore wind farms is expected to grow to a total capacity of 11.5 gigawatts by 2030. By converting electricity from these wind farms directly into hydrogen via electrolysis on existing energy platforms, production can take place close to the source.

Transporting hydrogen to shore can then be carried out efficiently and cost-effectively through the existing gas pipeline network. This creates an intelligent link between renewable energy generation and existing infrastructure, accelerating the energy transition and strengthening supply security.

A concrete example is the PosHYdon project, where a pilot installation is being built on a former gas platform in the North Sea. Here, renewable electricity from wind and solar is converted into green hydrogen via electrolysis and transported to the coast through existing gas pipelines.

Hydrogen transport via pipelines

Without a reliable and scalable hydrogen infrastructure, the hydrogen economy cannot take off. Stakeholders in the Netherlands and beyond face the challenge of connecting production, import, transport, and storage intelligently — across sectors and borders.

TNO works on system solutions that approach this infrastructure integrally: from models for network planning and flexibility to technologies for storage, conversion, and import via ports. Together with governments, grid operators, industry, and international partners, we are building a future-proof and resilient hydrogen network.

Hydrogen storage

Large-scale storage is essential for a robust hydrogen chain: it acts as a buffer between production, import, and use. When production exceeds demand, hydrogen is stored; in periods of shortage, it can be supplied from storage. Due to the large volumes required, TNO focuses on underground storage in salt caverns and depleted gas reservoirs. These sites provide significant capacity while minimising above-ground space use.

At the same time, we investigate technical and societal challenges, such as interactions with microorganisms, material durability, and safety. In the Netherlands, the aim is to realise the first commercial hydrogen storage in salt caverns around 2030, while gas reservoirs offer longer-term potential. Our research into underground hydrogen storage in gas fields and drilled wells focuses on leak-tightness and whether and how hydrogen reacts with materials and rock formations. We collaborate closely with industrial partners.

Blue hydrogen

Together with industry in the Rotterdam port area, we have developed plans to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. Blue hydrogen is the solution here, as the CO₂ released during hydrogen production is captured and transported to depleted gas fields in the North Sea.

Want to collaborate?

To use hydrogen safely as a fuel in cars, trucks, or airplanes, special tanks are required. We are looking for partners to co-produce safe hydrogen tanks. Interested? Please contact us.