Examples of how to tackle this challenge

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- Power-to-X pathways for energy system integration

- Hydrogen for long-duration and seasonal energy storage

- Flexible electrolysers as grid assets

- Market-driven low-cost hydrogen production

- Heat and process integration in industrial-energy systems

- Hydrogen-based backup power for critical infrastructure

- ...

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Pathway baseline

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Next to being a feedstock for energy-intensive industry, hydrogen also has the potential to replace natural gas as an energy carrier in our future energy system. To optimise the integration of hydrogen in existing industrial or energy ecosystems, it might be favourable to convert it into another carrier such as synthetic ammonia, methanol or methane, which allows using existing infrastructure or reducing storage & transport costs. It may, for example, be used as long-term (seasonal) storage, in combination with other (electrochemical and thermal) storage technologies.

Smart integration of hydrogen production in a broader industrial and energy context, finding (energetic) synergies with other processes or integrating hydrogen production in the electricity market, can improve the business case for hydrogen as an energy carrier.

Furthermore, for critical applications (e.g., hospitals, data centres, defense), reliable long-duration storage is, for example, indispensable to guarantee continuous operation. Hydrogen or derivatives may hence be considered as a replacement for emergency generators.

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Several options can be thought of:

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• Conversion of electricity to hydrogen to provide seasonal storage, in combination with other storage technologies. 

• Design & use of electrolysers as flexible electricity consumers (demand-response management), providing grid services and introducing an additional revenue stream.

• Low cost hydrogen production via participation in day-ahead and balancing markets.

• Heat integration of (high temperature) hydrogen production and other processes.

• Hydrogen as back-up storage in critical applications.

 

Expected outcome at the end of the Ideathon

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All teams should develop an idea to address each challenge by considering the following elements. Don’t worry, mentors and experts will guide you to meet these criteria! 

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1. Feasibility: Technical readiness, major gaps, regulatory/permitting hurdles.

2. Impact: Economic potential (cost/revenue), environmental benefits, and contribution to Belgian hydrogen goals.

3. Adoption & Acceptance: Market fit, customer need, social acceptance, behavioural or incentive requirements.

4. Scalability: Pathway from pilot to deployment, timeline realism, key risks, and required partnerships.

5. Enablers: Data needs, KPIs, and skills/workforce requirements to make the pathway viable.

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