Erik Middelman has been of great significance for the development of the Dutch hydrogen economy. He has many inventions to his name, such as the Reverse Electro Dialysis technology and thin-film solar cell technology. He is also the founder of NedStack and HyET. Unfortunately, Erik Middelman died at the age of 47.

In honour of Erik Middelman, the NWBA has created the Erik Middelman Innovation Award. This award is presented to people who, like Erik Middelman, have done pioneering work in boosting the hydrogen economy. The conditions are that they contribute, or have contributed, to increasing visibility, developing technology or business activities and bringing groups together.