Societal aspects play an important role in successful implementation of renewable energy
technologies such as hydrogen. In Work package 10 (WP10) within the Hydelta 2.0 research program,
we investigated the societal challenges and lessons learned for deploying hydrogen
transport/distribution and application within the built environment in the Netherlands. Furthermore,
we studied how these societal challenges can be successfully embedded within an implementation
strategy. In this deliverable (D10.3), the conducted field research of four cases, each in a different
phase of implementation (Rozenburg, Lochem, Wagenborgen, Stad aan ’t Haringvliet), is described.
The central themes that we covered in this research are public support, (risk) communication, safety
and the experience of safety, and perceived success of the project. For each case, we interviewed
local stakeholders (24 interviews in total) and residents, including people living nearby the hydrogen
pilot (17 interviews, 68 questionnaires and approximately 90 conversations). The results show mostly
positive indications for public support (although this is not yet known for Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet). In
all cases, the importance of communication between stakeholders and between stakeholders and
potentially participating residents is acknowledged, even though there seems to be a lack of
communication with residents living in the vicinity of hydrogen pilots. This is a missed opportunity
and a potential risk, as these residents may have questions and doubts, for instance about the
progress and decisions that have been made in the project. Positive attitudes concerning the safety
are partly attributed to the trust people have in the involved stakeholders. It also seems important
that there is a contact person whom people can reach in case of questions or concerns. Additionally,
in some of the cases a demonstration house, where people can experience what it means when a
house is heated with hydrogen, seems successful. Thus, the findings emphasize the importance of
broad and frequent communication, not only with the directly involved residents, but also with
people who live in the vicinity of a hydrogen pilot. Communication is not only important in the
planning and implementation phase of the project, but also at the end of the implementation phase.
Finally, shared ownership of the project and inclusion of all stakeholders in all phases of the project
seems important to prevent delays in the project.
