The local authorities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam have set up a National Hydrogen Coalition. This platform will include companies, knowledge institutes, civil society organisations and governments, working together towards the large-scale application of hydrogen. The coalition will make an important contribution to national policy objectives with respect to the climate, air quality, energy supplies and innovation.
'We see hydrogen as one of the best options to improve the air quality and climate. We therefore want to be one of the front-runners.' This was written by two of the coalition's initiators, Amsterdam and Rotterdam councillors Marijke Vos and Mark Harbers, in a letter sent to Prime Minister Balkenende on Thursday, in which the councillors ask for government support for this initiative.
Hydrogen economy
The National Hydrogen Coalition aims to further develop hydrogen technology, achieve accelerated application, and create opportunities for the business community in the Netherlands. Amsterdam and Rotterdam local authorities plan to take the lead with their actions. 'We are convinced that collaboration between Dutch towns is very important, particularly between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, because our skills and ambitions with respect to hydrogen, are complementary', according to Vos and Harbers.
Fuel hub
The Netherlands can distinguish itself, internationally, by the large-scale production of climate-neutral hydrogen', says Harbers, who's portfolio in Rotterdam covers the Economy, Harbour, and the Environment. This harbour town is one of the largest hydrogen production locations in Europe, and plans to expand this even further. The town also has a unique pipeline network for hydrogen in the region, and can produce sustainable and climate-neutral hydrogen in the long term. The National Hydrogen Coalition fits seamlessly into the ambitions of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative, which attempts to halve the emissions of CO2 and other harmful substances by 2025.
Sustainable mobility is one of the focal points, partly due to the use of alternative fuels, engines, and optimising driving behaviour. The local authority also hopes to improve the air quality in the town.
Transport applications
Amsterdam is a trend-setter in applying innovative technologies to improve the air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The city has ambitious plans to use hydrogen on a large scale. 'Amsterdam sees fuel cell technology as crucial in the development of clean, climate-neutral transport, and sees its application in the town as a starting point in the transition to sustainable mobility', says Marijke Vos, councillor for the Environment in Amsterdam. The motivation behind the use of hydrogen is the local authority's ambition to reduce CO2 emissions in 2025 by 40%, compared to 1990 levels. The structural improvement of the city's air quality also has high priority.
Hydrogen buses
Amsterdam already has several hydrogen-based test projects running: a canal tour boat, a small cutter boat and a lorry, all running on hydrogen. The first pilot project with hydrogen buses was finalised at the beginning of this year, and Amsterdam is investing in a new generation of hydrogen buses. Various innovative companies and knowledge institutes from the region are working on the development and application of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable fuel. Amsterdam has called itself 'Hydrogen city', and promotes this image with respect to innnovative alternatives for fossil energy.
Formula Zero
But Rotterdam is also working hard. For example, the Rotterdam Climate Initiative is sponsoring the 2008 Formula Zero Championship (22-23 August), the first international championship for cars running on fuel cells. The test centre for Formula Zero is located on the RDM terrain in Rotterdam. The aim is raise enthusiasm among motorists for fuel cell vehicles and to accelerate their introduction. Councillor Harbers shares this enthusiasm: 'With the start of the race in Rotterdam we are showing the world that Rotterdam is convinced about sustainable mobility. Clean transport is good for the economy, the climate and the air quality of our town. This is the motivation behind the Rotterdam Climate Initiative.'
Amsterdam Climate Programme
This climate programme encourages the reduction of CO2 emissions. The starting point is the trias energetica: reducing the demand for energy, using sustainable energy sources (such as solar and wind), plus efficient use of fossil fuels. Amsterdam local authority is working together with local residents and the business community in its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in the city by 40%, compared to 1990 levels.
Rotterdam Climate Initiative
The Rotterdam Climate Initiative is a programme set up by Rotterdam local authority, Havenbedrijf Rotterdam NV, Deltalinqs and DCMR Milieudienst Rijnmond. It's objective is to halve CO2 emissions in the harbour town compared to 1990 levels; an ambition that should be completed in 2025. Focal points of the RCI include energy conservation, sustainable energy, and the capture, recycling and storage of CO2. |
