The public-private consortium aims to explore the potential of hyperloop as a high-speed, zero-emissions transport solution that could play a significant role in the climate transition, while simultaneously deliver economic growth.

The Hyperloop Development Program (HDP) will be the joint research and development program for the development of hyperloop and has been designed as an inclusive ecosystem where companies and institutions can collaborate equally to accelerate the development of hyperloop as an efficient way for both people and goods to travel in vehicles through low-pressure tubes.

The 3-year program will aim to demonstrate that hyperloop is a safe, sustainable and commercially viable solution to transport challenges in Europe and around the world. Hyperloop’s potential as an industrial development project that creates new companies, jobs and economic growth will also be assessed during this initial phase. As will its implications for the digitization and connectivity of industry.

“A global infrastructure project such as hyperloop can only be achieved when public and private parties cooperate in complementary ways,” said Jeroen in ‘t Veld, Chairman of the Hyperloop Development Program.

Government support

Since 2017, The Netherlands has established itself as a natural leader in this field. An ecosystem of more than 20 relevant companies has already been established and has developed and validated crucial hyperloop technologies such as the hyperloop lane-switch, crucial for network implementation. In recognition of this, the Minister of Infrastructure & Water Management and the State Secretary of Economics & Climate have informed Parliament in writing that they intend to award grants to support the jointly developed program. With an envisaged budget of €30 million for the HDP, the industry partners intend to provide €22.5 million, which would make up the bulk of the budget, and the Dutch province of Groningen has agreed to contribute €3 million towards a test facility. In addition, both ministries intend to award a total of €4.5 million in grants to the Hyperloop Development Program.

In the letter to Parliament, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, and Mona Keijzer, State Secretary of Economics and Climate, stressed the importance of investing in the knowledge economy and to investigate the export potential of hyperloop technology.

“While we experience the economic consequences of the coronavirus outbreak, it is important that The Netherlands continues to investigate possible investment options for this new technology, which could make a significant contribution to our future earning capacity, to our mobility, and the climate transition,” the minister and state secretary stated in the letter.

Ambition

When the proposed grants are approved, the national government of The Netherlands takes a leading role in the development of hyperloop worldwide, by offering substantial financial backing and active involvement in the hyperloop development program.

Besides the support of both ministries and the Dutch Province of Groningen, the following parties are involved in the program: ADSE, Balance, BAM, Beckhoff, Berenschot, Busch, Delft Hyperloop, Dutch Boosting Group, Dutch Railways, EuroTube, Goudsmit Magnetics, Hochschule Emden/Leer, Hardt, Institute of Global Innovation Economics and Logistics, IHC, NEN, NEVOMO, POSCO, Prysmian Group, Royal Schiphol Group, Tata Steel, TNO, TÜV Rheinland, UNStudio, Vattenfall.