German technology company STOFF2 announced that it will test a new technique for producing and storing green hydrogen at InVesta, the business park in Alkmaar. The two parties signed a lease agreement on 31 August, marking a significant step in the development of the European REFORMERS project. Keep reading to understand how Stoff2 will test its green hydrogen storage technology.
Why store surplus renewable energy?
One of the biggest challenges facing the energy transition is matching supply with demand. On particularly sunny or windy days, the grid produces more sustainable electricity than the amount that can be consumed or transported at that moment. This intermittent surplus represents wasted potential.
STOFF2’s technology addresses this problem by converting excess renewable electricity into chemical energy using zinc. The stored energy can then be released later in the form of green hydrogen — a versatile, carbon-free fuel that can be used when and where it is needed most.
“We are proud to be able to test our innovative technology under real-world conditions in Alkmaar, partly thanks to support from the European Union,” says Dr. Christian Friebe, Project Manager at STOFF2. “For us, InVesta is an ideal location to prove the unique value of the ZZE in balancing the energy system, and to demonstrate how we can continuously supply industrial companies with green hydrogen.”
photo credits @STOFF2
A practical demonstration at InVesta
The demonstration plant being installed at InVesta has a capacity of approximately 750 kWh of hydrogen per cycle. Beyond the core equipment, the installation includes a dedicated control system and electrical connection to the local grid.
The trial is designed to prove that STOFF2’s technology performs reliably not just in a laboratory, but in a real industrial environment operating under everyday grid conditions. This kind of real-world validation is essential before any hydrogen technology can be scaled up for wider deployment.
Peter Simões, Director of InVesta, welcomed the partnership: “The arrival of STOFF2 at InVesta and Alkmaar clearly demonstrates what InVesta stands for. We give promising energy innovations the space to prove themselves in practice and scale up further. STOFF2 is therefore a great addition to the innovation ecosystem we are building here at Boekelermeer.”
Building Europe’s first Renewable Energy Valley
Within the broader REFORMERS project, Alkmaar serves as a central hub where the production, storage, distribution, and use of sustainable energy are being interconnected into a single, integrated local system. New Energy Coalition coordinates the development of this Renewable Energy Valley alongside regional and European partners.
InVesta is one of several demonstration sites within the project. With STOFF2 now joining, work is also underway on facilities to further process and distribute the hydrogen produced on site.
“In Alkmaar, the REFORMERS project brings together various components of the energy system necessary for a well-functioning Energy Valley. The arrival of STOFF2 strengthens this ecosystem and demonstrates how hydrogen can become part of the broader energy system in the region,” explains Joshua Dauda, Project Manager at New Energy Coalition and coordinator of the regional hydrogen ecosystem within REFORMERS.
STOFF2 to Test Green Hydrogen Storage Technology at InVesta: What happens next?
STOFF2 is currently in the technical preparation phase, which began in September and is expected to be completed before the end of 2026. Construction on the InVesta site will follow once preparation is finalized.
While the immediate focus is on testing the technology, stakeholders are already exploring how the locally produced green hydrogen could be put to use — potentially supplying nearby industrial companies or supporting low-carbon mobility solutions.
The longer-term role of green hydrogen
Green hydrogen is widely regarded as a key enabler for decarbonizing sectors where direct electrification is difficult or impractical. These include:
- Heavy transport (trucking, shipping, aviation)
- High-temperature industrial processes (steel, chemicals, cement)
- Seasonal energy storage across the grid
By demonstrating reliable, on-site hydrogen production from renewable surplus, projects like STOFF2’s at InVesta help de-risk the technology and accelerate its adoption across these hard-to-abate sectors.
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