Latest News on the UK Hydrogen Economy - 17/03/21

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:

Planned 100MW expansion of the Shell refinery project - weblink

Shell announced its plans for its Rhineland Refinery in Germany. These include an increase in the capacity of the ITM Power PEM electrolysis plant by 100MW. Shell’s partners for the electrolysis project are ITM Power, ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH (ILE) and Linde. Subject to finalizing contracts and securing some matching funding, construction will begin next year.

The capacity of the PEM hydrogen electrolysis system, which Shell is currently completing in the Wesseling section with ITM Power, is to be increased tenfold from the current 10 MW to 100 MW. According to Shell, this project is an integral part of the planned transformation of the site into the "Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rhineland" including an energy campus, for which the company is currently looking for partners.

UKHFCA backs hydrogen at a ‘pivotal moment’ in UK energy history - weblink

A new roadmap for green hydrogen deployment has laid out how the UK can deploy 10GW of green hydrogen by 2030, reach up to 80GW by 2050, and achieve a price target of £2/kg as the average green hydrogen price, with the right policy support and investment.

Unveiled today (23rd Feb) by the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (UKHFCA), The Case of Green Hydrogen uncovers a series of critical factors the Government should consider in the lead-up to COP26 and beyond as it looks to pursue a green industrial revolution.

New coalition aiming to deliver green hydrogen across Europe at €1.5/kg before 2030 - weblink

30 pioneering European energy players want to deliver 100% green hydrogen across Europe at €1.5/kg before 2030.

Comprising McPhy Energy, Enagás, OGE, Snam and more, the HyDeal Ambition coalition said production of green hydrogen generated by solar-driven electrolysis from the Iberian Peninsula will begin in 2022.

The ambition is to achieve 95GW of solar and 67GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030 to deliver 3.6 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year to users in the energy, industry and mobility sectors via the gas transmission and storage network, the energy equivalent of 1.5 months of oil consumption in France.

Shoreham Port, UK to be transformed into green hydrogen hub - weblink

Shoreham Port in West Sussex, UK is set to be transformed into a green hydrogen hub – and it could be operational by 2024.

Plans to establish a “game-changing” 20MW electrolysis plant to the south of the Port’s famous lock gates have been revealed by Shoreham Port and H2evolution.

UK Gov supports Holyhead hydrogen hub plans - weblink

The UK Government has backed plans for a hydrogen hub in Holyhead, North Wales, with £4.8m in funding.

Announced earlier this week (1st March), the funding will support the first of its kind project for the region that is thought to support over 500 local businesses.

As the second largest roll-on, roll-off port in the UK, Holyhead was identified as the perfect location for a Hydrogen Hub, hosting large scale heavy HGV moments annually as well as potential demands at the port.