Erik Middelman Innovation Award

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.

Wall of fame

2021 2020	Nienke Homan Nienke represents a new generation of leaders and has as such marked the importance of green hydrogen. This included the deployment of a significant infrastructure, industry and mobility hydrogen strategy for the three northern Provinces of the Netherlands, with the Province of Groningen most prominently, and local and regional customers as launching customers. With her ‘Nienke-drive’, she was a driving force for the Northern Provinces to become recognised in Europe as a hydrogen Vally, as well as for the Northern Netherlands green hydrogen investment plan and for the EU flagship project HEAVENN. In the many opportunities she has to share her vision, she shares her view on green hydrogen and she propels real solutions for the North of the Netherlands as well as Europe as a whole. She advocates sharing of kwowledge, skills and enthusiasm and by doing so supports the EU Fitfor55 ambitions. Her tireless efforts sets an example for modern government and governance which is exactly what green hydrogen needs! Jan Piet van der Meer
	Has worked at Nedstack as director and has, together with Erik Middelman, led the development of Nedstack’s current fuel cell stack. He was also the initiator of several fuel cell application projects and was or is active within the FCH-JU, DutchHy, NWBA and RVO.
2016	Alexander Hablé
	Has done a lot of work within the Ministry of Transport to get hydrogen into the spotlight as a fuel.
2014	Ian Williamson
	For his involvement in the European Hydrogen Association.
2013	Gijs Breda Vriesman
	Because of his involvement from Shell in the New IG in Brussels, which led to European cooperation and the allocation of large budgets by the EU.
2012	Frank Denys
	Frank has done a lot at the Ministry of Economic Affairs to fund product development in the Netherlands.
2010	Kees van der Klein
	Due to actively managing a hydrogen development programme at ECN and DutchHy.

Jury

1. Max Middelman
2. Jan Piet van der Meer
3. Patrick Cnubben