Coordinating social dynamics for integrating hydrogen in the Netherlands

Abstract

Integrating hydrogen into energy systems presents challenges involving social dynamics among stakeholders beyond technical considerations. A gap exists in understanding how these dynamics influence the deployment of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure, particularly in infrastructure development and market demand for widespread adoption. In the Netherlands, despite ambitious strategies and investments, comprehensive explanations of social dynamics' impact on integration processes and market development are lacking. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the hydrogen value chain and stakeholder interactions in the Dutch hydrogen sector. A literature review highlights system integration challenges and the need for decentralized coordination and cross-sector collaboration. Using the Dutch energy grid and its hydrogen initiatives as a case study, social network analysis and semi-structured interviews are applied to analyze over 60 hydrogen initiatives involving more than 340 stakeholders. Initiatives are categorized into large-scale centralized and decentralized local types based on scale and stakeholder involvement, allowing targeted analysis of stakeholder interactions in different contexts. Findings reveal that centralized networks may limit innovation due to concentrated influence, while decentralized networks encourage innovation but require better coordination. These insights guide strategic planning and policymaking in hydrogen energy initiatives, aiming to enhance scalability and efficiency of hydrogen technologies for sustainable energy solutions.