The University of Groningen invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher position (32 months). This position is part of the project “HyTROS – Hydrogen Transport, Offshore and Storage”, funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) programme GroenvermogenNL.
In Europe, the Netherlands ranks as the second-largest hydrogen producer. As it stands, the vast majority of hydrogen is sourced from fossil fuels. The Netherlands is aiming to reach 4GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030. Key questions around scaling up green hydrogen production centre on whether the existing onshore and offshore natural gas system can be repurposed for hydrogen, where new assets are required, and how to ensure the new energy system operates safely, cost-effectively, and with public support. This calls for further research into hydrogen production, transport, and storage across the entire hydrogen value chain.
The HyTROS project answers this call by providing a platform for applied research into the transport and storage of hydrogen, while driving further development. Comprising thirty-two research and industry partners, HyTROS seeks to fast-track the scaling up of green hydrogen in the Netherlands.
For the establishment of a strong and safe hydrogen infrastructure, it is particularly relevant to develop practitioners-oriented technical safety standards. This may include best or recommended practices, protocols, and guidelines for supporting practitioners working on the development of hydrogen infrastructure and storage. Also new or modified NEN-, EN- or ISO-standards could be the result of this activity. It is highly recommended by industry to standardize the outcome into NEN-, EN- or ISO-standards. For more operational aspects, PGS (publicatiereeks gevaarlijke stoffen) could be considered to be amended or new publication could be requested, To achieve these results, there will be assessments towards applicable existing technical safety standards based on the regulatory framework to mitigate risk to have higher requirements then the legislator has defined, leading to recommendations and decisions if new technical safety standards are to be developed or existing ones need to be updated. Execution of these activities will take place in a multi-stakeholder setting to achieve a broad level of acceptance of technical safety standards. RUG facilitates this action by means of creating this multi-stakeholder focus group composed by, in particular Gasunie, EBN and Netbeheer Nederland.
Organisation
Since its founding in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education, offering high-quality teaching and research. We encourage the 34,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Among the best research universities in Europe, we join forces with prestigious partner universities and networks around the world, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.
The Faculty of Law (https://www.rug.nl/rechten/) is building on a longstanding tradition of four centuries of quality legal research. It is an ambitious top-ranking faculty of law with both high-quality education and research, with a strong international orientation, firmly rooted in the North of The Netherlands. The faculty creates and shares knowledge through outstanding education and research, benefitting society. With more than 4000 students and 350 staff the faculty is heavily involved in educating students, both Dutch and international. The faculty is a modern, broad and international institution, educating students to become forward-looking, articulate and independent lawyers.
The Postdoc will be integrated in the Groningen Centre of Energy Law and Sustainability (GCELS). GCELS brings together expertise from all branches of law within the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen to develop cutting-edge research and educational programmes relevant for the energy transition. Its research covers the entire energy chain as well the transitions necessary to move towards a more sustainable society.
This includes all legislation and regulation applying to the production, transport, storage and supply of energy, the promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, the need to secure energy supply, as well as climate action and environmental protection.