Alkmaar energy project wins international hydrogen award
Rotterdam – Today, the energy project 'REFORMERS/Renewable Energy Valley Alkmaar' received the award for best 'Clean Hydrogen Project' at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam. The Alkmaar project is building the first so-called 'Renewable Energy Valley' and will serve as a model for future valley regions across Europe. The development of the entire hydrogen value chain, including the application of innovative technologies in the project and enabling continuous production—independent of solar and wind power—led to the international hydrogen award.
REFORMERS is a comprehensive, long-term international innovation program where renewable energy is locally produced and consumed by and for industrial estates and their residents. Project partners from across Europe are collaborating on the realization of Europe's first Renewable Energy Valley Alkmaar.
Project Manager Joep Sanderink of New Energy Coalition, accepted the award on Tuesday evening during the Award Ceremony.
Renewable Energy Valley (REV) Alkmaar
Renewable Energy Valley (REV) Alkmaar is a designated area in the cities of Alkmaar and Heiloo, consisting of the Boekelermeer business park, bordered by residential areas, a small industrial area, and agricultural land. This REV integrates sustainable energy carriers such as electricity, heat, green gas, and hydrogen. A complete hydrogen value chain is being realized, from production and storage to distribution and end use.
Since 2023, companies, government agencies, knowledge institutions, and residents in this area have been working on a self-sufficient energy infrastructure for generating, storing, and exchanging sustainable energy. The use of sustainable hydrogen plays a central role in this. By the end of the project period in 2028, the area will be self-sufficient in meeting its energy needs with locally produced renewable energy.
It's impressive how international innovation is coming together in this project. At the InVesta Alkmaar expertise center, project partners HYNOCA/Haffner Energy (F) and STOFF2 (Germany) will continuously produce clean hydrogen from organic waste and green electricity for this pilot project. This allows us to store and supply hydrogen reliably, sustainably, and locally. The project will also significantly boost the region's economy.
- Joep Sanderink, project leader REFORMERS
About REFORMERS
The Horizon Europe REFORMERS project is an innovation program to support major energy hubs ('energy valleys') in Europe, where renewable energy is locally produced and consumed by citizens, light industry, and businesses. REFORMERS has a five-year term and a total budget of €5 million, of which €50 million comes from the Horizon Europe program.
Project partners
AIT, Duurzaam Heiloo, CERTH, CIRCE, KONIN-MIASTO, DDS, EUREC, NAPE, RISE, TNO, Deep Blue, TU Delft, Municipality of Kozani (GR), Municipality of Murau (O), Alliander, Municipality of Alkmaar, HVC, Hynoca Alkmaar, InVesta, Sustenso, Repowered, Withthegrid, NXT MOBILITY, STOFF2, EMPA, VU Brussels (Project Coordinator) and New Energy Coalition (Flagship Valley Alkmaar coordinator).
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Also relevant
On May 15, construction officially began on the energy hub in Boekelermeer – a significant milestone in developing a future-proof energy system and addressing grid congestion in the area.
The energy hub is partly funded by the European Horizon Europe programme REFORMERS Energy Valleys – Horizon Europe project and is expected to be operational in November 2025.