Latest News on the UK Hydrogen Economy - 16/12/20
Ames Goldsmith Ceimig, as a manufacturer of catalysts such as Iridium Oxide, Iridium Ruthenium Oxide, Iridium Black, Platinum Black & Platinum on Carbon support, are strong supports of the emerging Hydrogen Economy and supply many manufacturers of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology including PEM Electrolysers and PEM Fuel Cells.
In the UK we are members of the UKHFCA & SHFCA. Here are some of the recent developments in Hydrogen happening in the UK and affecting the Hydrogen Economy more broadly:
The UK Government issued it’s 2020 Spending Review including commitments related to hydrogen - Weblink
On Wednesday 25th November the UK Government issued it’s 2020 Spending Review includes several specific commitments related to hydrogen:
£1 billion for a Carbon Capture and Storage Infrastructure Fund to help establish four CCS clusters by 2030, capturing up to 10 megatonnes of carbon dioxide a year by 2030. These clusters will bring jobs and investment to industrial heartlands in areas of North East and North West England, the Humber, Scotland and Wales.
A £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund to support industry to produce low-carbon hydrogen at scale.
£81 million multi-year commitment for pioneering hydrogen heating trials. These technologies are intended to have a global reach.
£81 million of R&D funding in 2021-22 to launch a programme of investment in low and zero emission transport technologies. This includes new initiatives on sustainable aviation fuels, clean maritime demonstrations, zero emission freight trials and funding for a Hydrogen Transport Hub in the Tees Valley.
An aim to develop 5 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, supporting up to 8,000 jobs. This will be facilitated through the £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and £81 million for hydrogen heating trials.
Boris Johnson: Now is the time to plan our green recovery - Weblink
“We will use Britain’s powers of invention to repair the pandemic’s damage and fight climate change” In an opinion piece for the Financial Times, the UK Prime Minister sets out the top 2 points for his plan as:
we will make the UK the Saudi Arabia of wind with enough offshore capacity to power every home by 2030.
we will turn water into energy with up to £500m of investment in hydrogen.
Ban on new petrol and diesel cars in UK from 2030 under PM's green plan - Weblink
It is part of what Mr Johnson calls a "green industrial revolution" to tackle climate change and create jobs in industries such as nuclear energy.
This is part of the PM’s 10 point plan with number 2 being “Hydrogen: Have five gigawatts of "low carbon" hydrogen production capacity by 2030 - for industry, transport, power and homes - and develop the first town heated by the gas by the end of the decade.”
Publication of Energy White Paper - Weblink
The UK Government has today (14/12/20) published the long-awaited Energy White Paper. Whilst there is considerable coverage of hydrogen, much of it reflects announcements already made. There is, however (see page 113), reference to plans to issue a Call for Evidence on the role of ‘hydrogen ready’ boilers. You can read the White Paper in full by following the link above.
SGN gets approval for game-changing H100 project - Weblink
SHFCA member SGN has today received the go-ahead to build a world-first hydrogen heating network at Methil in Scotland. The SGN plans for H100 Fife, a pioneering project that will demonstrate 100% green hydrogen heating in homes for the first time, have been approved by Ofgem. This game-changing project will provide the crucial evidence to inform widespread deployment of 100% for domestic heating.
Xmas hydrogen post van deliveries in Aberdeen - Weblink
SHFCA member Aberdeen City Council and the Royal Mail have just started a 12 month trial of a hydrogen-powered Ford Transit post van which will reduce the carbon footprint of Xmas post deliveries in Aberdeen. The Transit will fuel up at Aberdeen City Council’s hydrogen refuelling station, which is conveniently located next to Altens Delivery Office.
The trial is part of the EU-funded Civitas Portis project which is testing innovative and sustainable urban mobility solutions in five European port cities, and marks Aberdeen’s drive for better air quality as well as more sustainable transport. Up to 60 per cent of the trial van’s power is generated by ‘green’ hydrogen, with the remainder of the power during the trial coming from diesel fuel. Designed for use on roads and highways, the trial van can travel up to 120 miles in dual fuel mode, and the refuelling time is similar to equivalent petrol or diesel vans.
ReFLEX Orkney launches innovative green energy services for Orkney - Weblink
Orkney is once again leading the drive to net zero and supporting UK government plans for a green industrial revolution with the launch of new green energy services.
A new ground-breaking local energy company, ReFLEX Orkney Ltd, on 1 December 2020 launched a range of new low-carbon transport and power services exclusive to Orkney residents and businesses to further decarbonise the island’s energy system. This will help pave the way for other regions in the UK to adopt a localised integrated energy systems approach.
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