Examples of how to tackle this challenge

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- Demand-side incentives and guaranteed offtake models (e.g. lead markets, CfDs).

- Industrial clusters and minimum viable hydrogen ecosystems.

- Port-driven hydrogen ecosystems (production, import, storage, use).

- Cross-sector coupling opportunities (industry–energy–mobility integration).

- Transition strategies using hydrogen-ready equipment and assets.

- Targeted mobility lead markets (heavy-duty, captive fleets, logistics).

- ...

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Pathway baseline

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Hydrogen is expected to play an essential role in decarbonising energy-intensive industries (EIIs) along with transport and long-term storage. But its market is taking off much slower than anticipated, especially in Europe, which has put forward strong ambitions but is running far behind in realising these ambitions.

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There are different reasons for this slow market uptake

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• Producing clean hydrogen — especially green hydrogen via electrolysis — remains expensive compared with “traditional” (fossil-fuel) hydrogen.  

• On the “demand side,” many potential large users (industries, heavy-duty transport, etc.) are reluctant to place long-term binding orders (offtake agreements) for hydrogen at these high prices and fear loss of competitiveness compared to other continents (chemistry & steel) with a less stringent decarbonisation framework. 

• There is very limited hydrogen transport & distribution infrastructure — pipelines, terminals, storage, refuelling stations (for transport) etc. Building that infrastructure is expensive, logistically complex, and often delayed because the offtake is not secured (chicken & egg). 

• Although the EU has set ambitious targets (e.g. via the revised Renewable Energy Directive — RED III), many member states have been slow to transpose these obligations into national law leading to enhanced uncertainty and lack of incentives.

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​In Belgium, the offtake of hydrogen in refinery routes seems a promising kick-starter, with two big refineries in the Antwerp port and the incentive created by the REDIII-transport directive. However, creating new viable hydrogen markets in different sectors is key for further development of the supply chain & infrastructure.

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How can Belgium accelerate the uptake of hydrogen, stimulate demand? Through:
 

• Legislative actions: implement the EU directives or persuade the EC to change the rules

• Market incentives: Binding quota in some sectors (‘lead markets’) to stimulate demand, stimulation of transition technologies (e.g. hydrogen ready equipment)

• Technology improvements to produce cheaper hydrogen, to make storage cheaper etc. 

• Definition of ‘Minimum viable ecosystems’, i.e., production & usage connected in a smart & efficient way, on small but economically feasible scale, opportunities to work with low cost electricity etc.

• Identification of new applications in which hydrogen has extra value compared to alternatives.

 

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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