Wilbert Heffels on Developing an Alkaline Electrolyser for Cost-Efficient Hydrogen Production

What exactly are you doing in this project?

"The Phoenix - Alkalina project focuses on developing a technology platform for modular systems that can be produced cost-effectively. This project plays a crucial role in promoting innovative and sustainable energy solutions within the NXTGEN Hightech Energy domain.

Within the project, we are developing a large-scale alkaline electrolyser that can efficiently produce hydrogen with minimal use of scarce, environmentally unfriendly materials. By using our electrolyser, our customers can efficiently convert green electricity into green hydrogen without using PFAS-containing materials."

Why is this technology interesting for the Netherlands?

"For the energy transition and the future hydrogen economy, it is important that the Netherlands plays a significant role in the hydrogen chain. The competitive position of the Netherlands in converting green electricity into hydrogen is not optimal because green electricity is more expensive here than in other regions. However, producing complex machines can be competitive in the Netherlands, and we believe that the Dutch high-tech manufacturing industry can play a meaningful role here."

You are also part of project 8 (3rd generation). What is the difference from your perspective between these two projects?

"Energie 07 focuses on the 2nd generation alkaline electrolyser, with the aim of bringing it into production in the coming decade. Energie 08 focuses on the development of future generations, which will not be produced until after 2030."

Why did you enter this market?

"VDL Group is known for the development and production of a wide variety of industrial products. At VDL Hydrogen Systems, founded in 2022, we have been involved in the chain from R&D onwards. This means that as VDL, we also design and improve the electrolysers. We want to develop a product concept that we can produce and bring to market in 2030. VDL has extensive experience in the necessary production steps, such as injection moulding, laser welding, metalworking, and automatic assembly. This knowledge makes scaling up for mass production easier."

What has the NXTGEN project brought you so far and where does VDL want to go?

"Collaborating with other parties and setting up the supply chain for hydrogen electrolysis. Every partner must benefit from the collaboration. Ultimately, every partner must be able to provide a process, knowledge, or product at the right place in the supply chain. We want to be among the prominent players in Europe as an electrolyser manufacturer and hope to contribute significantly to reducing CO2 emissions by 2040."

What advice would you give to other start-ups/projects that are still at the beginning of their development?

"Learn quickly and test concepts as soon as possible. Dare to fail and do not strive for perfection in the initial steps. If you think you have everything under control, you are not moving fast enough."

For more information about the project, watch the video below with Marius Ponten, Hydrogen Program Director, VDL Hydrogen Systems.