The Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland project MPH2 has been successfully approved. This marks an important milestone for an ambitious cross-border project in which Flemish and Dutch partners are joining forces to develop a new link in the energy transition: the Metal Power hydrogen chain.

Within MPH2, a cross-border learning and testing environment will be established to bring together the full chain: from energy storage in iron powder and regeneration with hydrogen to combustion for industrial heat. The project will run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029 and is supported through Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland.

Why this project is needed

Flanders and the southern Netherlands face a major decarbonisation challenge. In line with European climate ambitions, the region must work towards climate neutrality by 2050. A key bottleneck is the mismatch between the supply and demand of renewable energy, both in time and location.

This is particularly relevant for industrial companies located outside the main hydrogen and energy clusters. These companies often rely on heat-intensive processes, cannot always electrify due to grid congestion and are not automatically connected to future hydrogen infrastructure. At the same time, renewable energy producers need solutions to not only generate green energy, but also store it for longer periods, transport it and make it available where industrial demand is high.

Smart energy systems, storage solutions and networks are therefore essential. MPH2 directly responds to this challenge by exploring how iron powder can function as a circular, transportable and scalable energy carrier.

What MPH2 will develop

MPH2 focuses on the further development and integration of the Metal Power hydrogen chain. Metal Power uses iron powder as an energy carrier. When iron powder is combusted, heat is released and iron oxide, or rust, is formed. This iron oxide can then be converted back into iron powder using hydrogen, after which the cycle can start again.

This creates a circular energy cycle in which renewable energy can be stored in solid form, transported relatively easily and later used for industrial heat applications. If green hydrogen is used in the regeneration process, the chain has the potential to become an emission-free cycle.

During the project, different chain components in the Netherlands and Flanders will be connected. These include iron oxide reduction reactors, iron powder burners, handling and storage systems, logistics, heat network connections and integration with combined heat and power systems. The learning and testing environment focuses on TRL 6–8 and is designed to prepare the technology for scale-up, validation and wider industrial deployment.

Cross-border cooperation as a key success factor

The strength of MPH2 lies in the combination of technology development, industrial application, knowledge development and ecosystem building on both sides of the border. The technology requires not only technical validation, but also shared knowledge on safety, permitting, certification, legislation, logistics, LCA methodology and market adoption.

The consortium consists of, among others, Metalot Future Energy Lab, COGEN Vlaanderen, Engicon/Geldof, ET Group, Green Energy Park, HeatPower, NoWIT, RIFT, Team SOLID and Eindhoven University of Technology.

Within the partnership, Metalot acts as lead partner and ecosystem developer. Green Energy Park contributes Flemish test infrastructure and expertise in system integration. RIFT, ET Group, HeatPower and Team SOLID bring technological expertise in areas such as reduction, oxidation, CHP systems and the Steam Iron Reactor. COGEN Vlaanderen provides knowledge and networks related to heat-intensive industry, while Eindhoven University of Technology contributes its research base in Metal Power, hydrogen and transition processes.

Who is this project relevant for?

MPH2 is relevant for organisations working on the decarbonisation of industrial heat, sustainable energy storage, hydrogen infrastructure and regional energy systems. This includes industrial energy users, renewable energy producers, technology developers, technical service providers, knowledge institutions, public authorities and labour market organisations.

The learning and testing environment is expected to generate not only technical insights, but also knowledge on the industrial and societal applicability of the Metal Power hydrogen chain. In doing so, the project aims to bridge the gap between promising technology and concrete deployment in Flemish and southern Dutch industry.

Financing through Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederlan

MPH2 is co-financed by Interreg Flanders-Netherlands. The project fits within the programme priority focused on a greener Europe and contributes to the development of smart energy systems, networks and storage.

The funding enables the consortium to set up the cross-border learning and testing environment, connect key chain components and further validate the technology for future industrial applications.

The role of The Future

The Future supported the consortium in the development and submission of the subsidy application. Our role focused on sharpening the project logic, structuring the work packages, substantiating the cross-border added value and translating the technological ambition into a strong and coherent Interreg project.

The approval of MPH2 confirms the value of a carefully developed consortium, a clear project narrative and a strong connection between technology, market demand and societal challenge.

With MPH2, the partners are taking an important step towards a future in which renewable energy is not only generated, but also efficiently stored, transported and used where industry needs it most.