UK firms highlight the important role of hydrogen

As part of a UK-wide roadshow on the approach to the much-publicised UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, the 10-stop tour visited projects across the country. This included Northern Gas Networks' Hydrogen House – one of the UK's first homes to feature 100% hydrogen gas appliances – Thames Estuary, Equinor's Hydrogen-to-Humber (H2H) Saltend project, Fuel Cell Systems, Johnson Matthey, DNV, and the Shell Learning Zone at the Aberdeen Science Centre.

As part of the roadshow, Pilkington UK – together with HyNet and HyDeploy – shared the news that its Greengate site in St Helens, England, has recently undertaken two pioneering demonstrations of using hydrogen to replace natural gas in powering the furnace.

Each day during the trial, 2 t of hydrogen were consumed – which could have provided an equivalent hydrogen blend to approximately 30 000 average-sized homes.

Elsewhere, Welsh Water – which announced its net-zero by 2040 target earlier in 2021 – shared details of its feasibility work to produce up to 2000 kg/day of renewable bio-hydrogen at the site – enough to support a fleet of 100 hydrogen buses.

DGA Chair, Chris Barron, and Director of gas networks at Costain, said: “Hydrogen – like many other decarbonised gases – can help us meet the UK’s ever-pressing need for net-zero climate emissions, at low cost, with minimal disruption, and while creating thousands of sustainable jobs across the country.

“It has a particularly valuable role to play in the notoriously hard to decarbonise sectors – heavy transport, industry, and heat. As a nation, we rely heavily on these industries, but they account for over 40% of UK greenhouse gases. They are therefore the elephant in the room if we don’t work together to create a deliverable pathway to a net-zero energy infrastructure.”

Now complete, the tour explored the need for a regional focus, as part of the Government’s roadmap and Ten Point Plan, and the impact that the public could have if they were better informed and engaged with the subject.

Each stop was handpicked to help drive the conversation on hydrogen and the role it plays in the country’s energy transition strategy – with chosen locations showcasing their own perspective on the hydrogen agenda, to not only raise awareness at policy level but among regional communities too.

Through innovation, collaboration, and greater public awareness throughout the regions, hydrogen can play a role in safely, quickly, and cost-effectively decarbonising UK infrastructure, providing the country with a stable pathway to net-zero emissions.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/09112021/uk-firms-highlight-the-important-role-of-hydrogen/