Latest News on the UK Hydrogen Economy - 17/07/23

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:

UK government backs hydrogen innovation with £80m in funding - Weblink

The UK Government has announced it will inject over £80m ($101m) to help companies cut carbon emissions using hydrogen as an alternative.

Kellogg’s goal of using hydrogen to fuel cereal making processes will be backed by over £3m ($3.7m) of investment, whilst Annadale Distillery will move towards a low carbon future with £3.6m of government investment in new thermal heating technology.

The funding was announced by the Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, and it marks the government’s latest move to boost the UK’s energy security.

Grant Shapps will potentially scrap hydrogen levy on UK energy bills - Weblink

According to a recent report, Grant Shapps, the UK Government’s Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is considering scrapping a proposal to add a £120 (U$149) levy to people’s energy bills to fund the country’s transition to hydrogen.

The decision regarding the levy – which was designed to support the UK hydrogen industry – is believed to have been made following criticism from Conservatory members about the rising costs of living and the financial impact this is already having on people living within the country.

An analysis carried out by the Onward think-tank has estimated that to achieve the Government’s target of 10GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030, a total investment of £50bn (U$62.2bn) would be needed, equating to an extra £118 (U$147) annually for dual-fuel households. At present, the average person’s yearly dual-fuel bill consists of £165 (U$205) of social and environmental levies.

Cornflakes, paper towels and aluminium cans: Hydrogen fuel switching projects backed by UK Government - Weblink

Global manufacturers of cereal, paper towels and rolled aluminium products have been awarded UK government funding to demonstrate a switch to hydrogen in their production facilities.

Kellogg’s, Essity and Novelis have been selected by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to undertake demonstrations where they will switch fuel in their production plants in the northwest of the UK to run on hydrogen.

Aimed at demonstrating a reduction in their carbon footprints by using low-carbon hydrogen to manufacture products such as Kellogg’s Cornflakes, Plenty towels, and rolled aluminium products for the automotive industry and beverage cans, the projects are hoped to forge a pathway for other industries to decarbonise.

South Wales Transport and Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions showcase hydrogen-fueled buses in South Wales - Weblink

Hydrogen-fueled H2 City Gold electric buses from Caetano Bus UK and fitted with a HyQube refueller from Fuel Cell Systems have been conducting demonstration operations in South Wales, delivered as part of a private sector consortium which aims to contribute towards a clean energy transition.

The buses – operated by South Wales Transport and Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions – use green hydrogen produced and supplied by Protium from its newly established installation at the University of South Wales Hydrogen Centre in the Baglan Energy Park.

INEOS Automotive debuts Grenadier Demonstrator at Goodwood Festival of Speed - Weblink

INEOS Automotive’s hydrogen fuelled Grenadier Demonstrator is making its global debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 13-16).

The hydrogen Grenadier Demonstrator is identical to the production Grenadier apart from a bonnet power bulge to accommodate the additional height of the fuel cell, but this would not be present in a production model.

Lynn Calder, CEO, INEOS Automotive, said the vehicle is capable of doing everything a conventionally powered Grenadier can do but with zero emissions, emitting nothing but water vapour.

Carlton Power to supply Green H2 for Superglass in Stirling - Weblink

Superglass, a major UK manufacturer of glass mineral wool insulation, has today announced a strategic partnership with SHFCA member Carlton Power to supply it with green hydrogen for its manufacturing facility at Stirling, Scotland. This project will support Superglass’ Net Zero plans, cutting its carbon emissions at its glass wool manufacturing plant in Stirling and the proposed green hydrogen scheme will have capacity to supply other local companies. The partnership agreement will support the development of Carlton Power’s proposed Stirling Green Hydrogen scheme and reduce Superglass’ reliance on natural gas.

Rowan Atkinson drives Toyota GR Yaris H2 at Goodwood, promotes hydrogen fuel - Weblink

Rowan Atkinson showed up at Goodwood this week to provide his support for alternative fuels by driving a specially prepared Toyota GR Yaris H2. Known by millions as Mr. Bean, Atkinson is a die-hard car enthusiast and a staunch supporter of the internal combustion engine.

The Toyota GR Yaris H2 Concept was specially prepared for the Goodwood event. According to Atkinson, it still uses its standard turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine, but the engine management system has been tweaked so the car runs on hydrogen. It's not a fuel cell vehicle. Instead, it uses hydrogen directly injected into the engine for internal combustion.

Protium initiates FEED study to decarbonise Budweiser brewery - Weblink

Protium has announced it has entered the Samlesbury Net Zero Project into a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) stage in order to cut emissions from the site.

Lancashire’s biggest brewery aims to reduce emissions through the development of a green energy production facility on site, which has now reached the next stage of the plans.

Hydrogen-powered machinery to support construction of National Highways’ Thames crossing - Weblink

National Highways has announced it will purchase hydrogen-powered construction machinery as part of its commitment to Net Zero goals.

Today (July 10), the company launched of the UK’s ‘largest ever’ purchases of low-carbon hydrogen to reduce the carbon footprint of the Lower Thames Crossing – a proposed new road and tunnel across the river Thames east of London – kick starting the expected hydrogen ecosystem in the Thames Estuary.