A New Era for Sustainable Hydrogen
The Hynoca Alkmaar project is set to revolutionize hydrogen production by utilizing organic waste streams instead of fossil fuels or electrolysis. This summer, construction will begin on a facility that will generate hydrogen from digestate and sewage sludge, marking a significant step toward decarbonizing Europe’s energy supply. Read about this on Waterstofnhn.
Hynoca: Part of the REFORMERS Initiative
Hynoca is a key component of the REFORMERS project, a Horizon Europe-funded initiative aimed at developing Renewable Energy Valleys (REVs) across Europe. The Alkmaar Energy Valley serves as a flagship site, demonstrating how local biomass can be transformed into clean hydrogen to support mobility and industrial applications.
Innovative Hydrogen Production with HYNOCA
The HYNOCA® technology, developed by Haffner Energy, enables flexible and continuous hydrogen production from biomass that has no other useful application.
The process involves a multi-step thermolysis process, where biomass waste is first heated in the absence of oxygen to break it down into gaseous and solid fractions. The gaseous fraction undergoes purification and enrichment, transforming into syngas with a high hydrogen content.
This syngas is then processed through water-gas shift reactions and pressure swing adsorption, resulting in fuel-grade hydrogen suitable for mobility and industrial applications. Meanwhile, the solid fraction, known as biochar, retains carbon in a stable form, preventing CO₂ emissions and offering agricultural benefits by improving soil quality and microbial activity.
This feedstock-agnostic approach ensures continuous hydrogen production, independent of seasonal biomass variations, making it a scalable and sustainable solution for Europe’s energy transition.
Environmental Impact and Carbon Capture
One of the most remarkable aspects of the project is its carbon capture potential. By producing 1 kg of hydrogen, the process prevents 12 kg of CO₂ emissions, compared to 2 kg of CO₂ emissions per kg of hydrogen generated via electrolysis.
Additionally, the biochar byproduct contributes to soil health and microbial life, making the process both sustainable and regenerative.
International Recognition
The REFORMERS Renewable Energy Valley in Alkmaar recently received the World Hydrogen 2025 Prize in the Clean Project category, recognizing its innovative approach to hydrogen production. The award highlights the project’s commitment to energy resilience, showcasing how local renewable energy ecosystems can drive Europe’s transition to 100% sustainable energy by 2050.
A Model for the Future
As Europe accelerates its green transition, projects like Hynoca Alkmaar and the broader REFORMERS initiative are paving the way for self-sufficient energy hubs. By integrating financial, legal, and social dimensions, these projects are not just about technology—they are about creating a holistic energy transition model that benefits communities, businesses, and policymakers alike.
Author: Izabela Ihnatiuc – Deep Blue
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