New partners Hydrogen Works: H2 Train & Learn Hub

Drenthe College

To develop a continuous learning pathway in the field of hydrogen, it is essential that all educational institutions in the region participate in the project. Willem Hazenberg (Practitioner Hydrogen in Industry and Networks) and Liesbeth Horstmann (Project Manager Technology & Innovation at Drenthe College) represent Drenthe College in the "Waterstof Werkt: Train & Learn Hub" (Water Dust Works: Train & Learn Hub). They enthusiastically introduce Drenthe College.

Who is Drenthe College?
Drenthe College is a regional training center for secondary vocational education (MBO). Approximately 8.000 students attend Drenthe College each year, close to home at one of our many locations throughout the province of Drenthe. With 800 employees across our locations in Assen, Emmen, and Meppel, we offer a diverse range of education. Our mission is to challenge students, partners, and each other to push their boundaries. We do this by focusing on talent and potential. We learn from and with each other. This is how we build a valuable future.

We offer general hydrogen training and training for the hydrogen industry and networks from Emmen. Furthermore, an extensive hydrogen innovation lab will be opened in Emmen in 2025 within the Greenwise campus innovation center. The hydrogen in mobility training program will be offered from the TT Institute in Assen.

What is the role of Drenthe College within Waterstof Werkt?
"The Drenthe colleague's focus will be primarily on aspects of hydrogen in industry and networks, with special attention to safety, inspection, operation, and maintenance of these systems."

What are you most looking forward to about Hydrogen Works?
Further strengthening the educational network around hydrogen across its full breadth and depth. This will enable us to develop knowledge to prepare today's students for tomorrow's future.

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is the other new educational partner of Waterstof Werkt: Train & Learn Hub. The university is represented by Jeroen Rijnhart (director/manager of the Center of Expertise Water Technology (CEW)), and he is pleased to introduce NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences.

Who is NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences?

'NHL Stenden is a generic university of applied sciences with locations in Leeuwarden, Emmen, Assen, Groningen, and Meppel. It is a vibrant university of applied sciences with over 25.000 students, more than 100 programs, over 2.200 employees, and nearly 50 professorships. Together, we work towards global innovation, where education and research are the pillars of personal development and social progress. Our core values ​​are Connecting, Enterprising, and Resourceful. Both education and research are shaped by the basic principles of Design Thinking. This is practically implemented in Design Based Education, which focuses on real-world issues. One of the societal challenges that education and research are designed to address are global societal issues surrounding access to sufficient and reliable water. Two professors are active in this area: Luewton Agostinho and Michel Saakes. CEW is a Center of Expertise where NHL Stenden and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences collaborate with PPP partners from the professional field. One of the innovation themes is energy from water. Green hydrogen is a key focus. After all, green hydrogen is made from water, and electrolysis is an electrochemical water-technological process. For a small amount of hydrogen, you need a lot of water; for a very large amount, you therefore need a great deal of water. That's the problem: Even in the Netherlands, it's no longer a given that there's always and everywhere sufficient water. The energy transition is putting significant additional pressure on water availability.

What is the role of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences within the Waterstof Werkt: Train & Learn Hub?

'NHL Stenden, CEW, and Wetsus collaborate in Michel Saakes' WaterSmart Hydrogen professorship. This collaboration focuses on the topic of water and hydrogen within the H2 Train & Learn Hub consortium. This includes water as a raw material for hydrogen production, and the development of new technology and, consequently, a new generation of electrochemists that can produce hydrogen directly from seawater. Within the theme of water as a raw material, we conduct research and teach primarily through projects focused on decentralized solutions with crossovers between the energy transition and the water cycle.

What are you most looking forward to about Waterstof Werkt: Train & Learn Hub?

We operate within our own "droplet" with organizations and people fascinated by water and its applications. This makes water, by definition, a cross-sectoral element. The energy sector is also in a "bubble" and represents a new world for us, with its own customs and perspectives. By connecting the dots and bubbles together with our project partners, we aim to teach professionals to look beyond the boundaries of their own disciplines, as this presents opportunities to identify and solve problems arising from new developments in advance. We can't make it easier, but we can make it more enjoyable.

About Waterstof Werkt: H2 Train and Learn Hub

Hydrogen is playing an increasingly important role in the energy transition, as it can replace fossil fuels and serve as a long-term storage solution for renewable electricity to balance our electricity system. In developing the hydrogen economy, it's essential to ensure a sufficient number of skilled workers for this new technology and applications. This project, through its partnership with education and businesses, ensures the availability of a qualified workforce to address the hydrogen challenges.

Disclaimer

This project received funding from the National Groningen Programme (NPG) and the European Union (EU) through the Provincial Programme (NPG) and the Just Transition Fund (EU). This page reflects solely the author's views, and the funding providers are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Or contact our expert linked to the project.