Hydrogen medal
The goal of Mission H2 is to inspire, connect and encourage parties around the energy transition to contribute bigger, faster and together to the Netherlands as the Hydrogen Nation 2030. This requires frontrunners: companies, projects and individuals who are leading the way. We give these leaders a stage and put them in the spotlight by awarding hydrogen medals.
Maarten van Dijk
CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER SKYNRGAfter studying organic chemistry with majors in renewable energy and business economics at Utrecht University, Maarten van Dijk founded the company SkyNRG with others in 2009. In his current position as CDO, Maarten is responsible for all business activities surrounding the development of sustainable aviation fuels within SkyNRG. According to the jury, SkyNRG is an example for entrepreneurial The Netherlands as Hydrogen Nation. From its inception, the company has shown a stimulating mix of vision and guts, daring to invest 'ahead of the market'. Because of SkyNRG, the development of sustainable kerosene is literally taking off. In this way, this Dutch company is making a solid contribution to international climate goals and greening the international aviation sector. Maarten van Dijk thereby looks beyond his own company and can frequently be found in transition and hydrogen forums, platforms and boards. Like our Olympic & Paralympic Ambassadors, Maarten has a clear goal in mind and is going for gold.
Diederik Samsom
Head of Cabinet Frans TimmermansSince 2019, he has been Head of Cabinet to Frans Timmermans, vice president of the European Commission. In Brussels, he is involved in the Green Deal to bring Europe to zero CO2 emissions by the middle of this century. According to Samsom, hydrogen is an energy carrier that we desperately need. According to him, it is crucial to keep our society and economy running in a clean way. After all, from his campaigning days at Greenpeace until now, he has been committed to climate policy and energy transition in the fullest possible breadth. He does so with relentless energy, perseverance and creativity. The jury finds that Diederik Samsom has left a clear and positive mark on both Dutch and European energy and climate policy. As a champion of the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package resulting from it, Samsom repeatedly and clearly speaks out in favor of a rapid and large-scale transition from fossil to hydrogen gas. He does not shy away from calling politicians and entrepreneurs to account and urging them to come up with concrete plans, actions and urgency. The jury believes that Samsom combines authentic vision and idealism with clear analysis and realism.
Marcel Galjee
Managing Director HyCCMarcel can rightly be called a leader in hydrogen. His company realizes projects, several of which have received IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) status. A recognition that the projects are important! Moreover, they are on track to take an FID (Final Investment Decision) for several projects this year. And that's important. After all, we are looking for accelerators, people and parties who put their money where their mouth is! Then, of course, about the winner himself. He is a visionary and a pace-setter, who remains vigilant to realism. Acting as a flywheel while watching over our hydrogen ambitions is a combination that is unique. To put it popularly, he is the watchdog and greyhound of the hydrogen sector.
Nominate someone for a hydrogen medal
Who do you think deserves a hydrogen medal? Fill out the form and nominate a frontrunner in the hydrogen transition.