Wind meets Gas 2025: Mapping the Future of Hydrogen Innovation

We look back on a successful 9th edition of Wind meets Gas — the largest hydrogen and offshore energy event in the Northern Netherlands! This year’s theme tackled the energy trilemma: how to make energy greener, more affordable, and secure at the same time.

As part of the conference, the Wubbo Ockels School, in collaboration with HyDelta, Stedin, and Kiwa Technology, hosted the workshop “Mapping Innovation: How gas infrastructure, networks and entrepreneurship drive the energy transition” at the House of Connections.

From Infrastructure to Innovation

In this lively session, grid operators (Netbeheer Nederland), policy makers and researchers from the University of Groningen and the HyDelta project explored how spatial infrastructure and entrepreneurial ecosystems interact to accelerate regional energy innovation.

Florian Noseleit, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UG’s Faculty of Economics and Business, challenged participants to think beyond technology and infrastructure. “Strong science and infrastructure alone are not enough. Real transitions need finance, demand, and entrepreneurial ecosystems to connect the dots,” he noted.

Drawing parallels with technology clusters, Noseleit showed that hydrogen hubs, too, thrive where talent, finance, knowledge, and infrastructure converge. Not every region with pipelines or ports will automatically become a hydrogen hotspot. Success depends on creating the right mix of innovation, networks, and investment.

Spotlight on Regional Transitions

Dutch and regional grid operators shared insights from HyDelta, highlighting how spatial, economic, and technical factors guide decisions on grid repurposing, new hydrogen corridors, and demonstration projects. Together, they mapped out where the first hydrogen business cases are likely to generate real cashflows: from industrial substitution to heavy transport and export corridors.

After the presentations, participants engaged directly with experts from the University of Groningen, DNV, Kiwa Technology, TNO, New Energy Coalition, Netbeheer Nederland, and Gasunie, discussing how innovation ecosystems can make the hydrogen economy both scalable and resilient.

Empowering the Next Generation

Students took center stage on the second day of Wind Meets Gas 2025, bringing fresh energy and creativity to the hydrogen conversation. Teams from Alfa-college, Noorderpoort, and Hanze presented a collaborative hydrogen generator project, showing how classroom learning can drive real-world innovation. The event also featured pitches from participants in the Energy Kick Start challenge, where more than 120 students developed practical ideas for regional hydrogen applications. One standout team, HYDROCOMM, earned a €5,000 assignment from an industry partner for their innovative communications concept.

Their involvement highlighted the crucial role of education and talent in shaping the hydrogen economy. By connecting students with industry and research, the event demonstrated how the Northern Netherlands is not only mapping the future of hydrogen but also preparing the people to power it.

Relive the Highlights

Visit the Wind meets Gas website for presentations, the photo gallery, and the aftermovie and see how research, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure are coming together to map the future of hydrogen and green gas innovation.