The pilot hall gives technology providers,industrial companies, energy companies and research institutions a physicalenvironment in which to develop, test and validate technologies underreal-world conditions. It is located at SubZero in the Merwe-Vierhavens area(M4H) and offers space for pilots involving electrification, hydrogen andPower-to-X technologies, aimed at technologies in an advanced stage ofdevelopment.
Four pilots make a start in the hall.FlowVolta is testing the next generation of electrolyser systems, which canoperate flexibly depending on the availability of renewable electricity. ZEF istesting a Direct Air Capture installation that captures CO2 from the air and isintegrated into a system for producing alternative fuels. Equans is testingusage profiles on an Inocel fuel cell, for applications in industrial andmaritime energy systems. TNO is installing a commercial electrolyser to learnhow electrolysers can be integrated into an industrial environment, coveringhydrogen production, storage, utility integration and the link to Power-to-Xtechnologies.
The ceremonial opening was performed byArne Weverling, member of the provincial executive of Zuid-Holland. Thedevelopment of the Power-to-X industry was then discussed in a panel led byMare Straetmans, founder of Platform Zero, with representatives fromgovernment, research institutions and the Rotterdam business community: whereelectrification and Power-to-X can already be applied, what companies run intowhen moving from demonstration to industrial application, and what the regionalinnovation ecosystem can contribute.
‘With the opening of this pilot facility,we’re giving the Power-to-X ecosystem in South Holland a physical space toactually test ideas. That’s exactly what it’s all about: moving frompractice-oriented research to industrial-scale application,’ says AukeFerwerda, FLIE partner on behalf of Platform Zero.
FLIE is an initiative of TNO, FME, the Portof Rotterdam Authority, InnovationQuarter, Platform Zero and Deltalinqs, madepossible in part by the province of Zuid-Holland. The step the pilot hallsupports — from validated technology to industrial application — is the samestep LAUNCH2 works to accelerate in the region.
Read more: Fieldlab IndustrialElectrification https://flie.nl/en/
Fieldlab Industrial Electrification (FLIE) officially opened its new pilot hall atSubZero in Rotterdam on 22 September. Around 100 representatives from industry, government, research and the innovation ecosystem attended, and FLIE used the occasion to announce the first pilot projects that will test Power-to-X and electrification technologies in an industrial setting.
The new pilot hall at SubZero is open; FlowVolta, ZEF, Equans and TNO start the first pilot projects.
Five hydrogen generators powered the festival site in Rotterdam's Zuiderpark, without a single diesel generator.
The new partnership LAUNCH₂ officially commenced during the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Rotterdam.
Access to hydrogen, industrial demand and a strong network of partners determining factors in decision.
SubZero Rotterdam to become a testing and upscaling site for sustainable industrial technologies
