Latest News on the UK Hydrogen Economy - 19/01/22

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:

Gas networks getting ready for H2 blending by end 2023 - Weblink

The gas grids around Britain could start blending hydrogen with natural gas from the end of next year if policy decisions and legal changes are made by the UK Government and regulatory bodies. Britain’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan sets out how all five of Britain’s gas grid companies will meet the Government’s target for Britain’s network of gas pipes to be ready to deliver 20% hydrogen in the natural gas to 23 million homes and millions of businesses around the country by the end of 2023.

Today 85% of GB homes are connected to the gas grid, 23 million properties. To reach Net Zero, Britain needs to reduce the average household’s carbon emissions from nearly three tonnes today, to just 135kg by 2050 - a drop of 95%. Britain’s fleet of gas-fired power plants would also be able to use blended hydrogen to generate lower carbon electricity.

Cadent, Equinor to develop an H2 town concept in Lincolnshire - Weblink

Gas distribution network operator Cadent and Equinor have signed an MOU to develop the technical assessments and concepts for hydrogen production, storage, demand and distribution for heat, in line with UK government's targets to decarbonize domestic heating.

The companies will work together to assess what a hydrogen town conversion could look like in Lincolnshire. Converting the gas networks of a town from natural gas to 100% low carbon hydrogen would drastically reduce the carbon emissions linked to home heating and could bring down overall emissions in the town by around a quarter.

The government’s recently published Ten Point Plan and Hydrogen Strategy set out the potential for the low carbon gas to decarbonize gas networks, noting that “heating comprises 74% of buildings emissions in the UK and about 23% of all UK emissions”. It also sets out pioneering trials of hydrogen heating “beginning with a hydrogen neighborhood trial by 2023, followed by a large hydrogen village trial by 2025, and potentially a hydrogen town pilot before the end of the decade”. The Government is planning an initial ‘neighborhood trial’ of approximately 300 homes in Levenmouth, Fife, due to start in 2023.

easyJet makes hydrogen commitment through CAeS partnership - Weblink

Catching a flight for your favourite holiday destination could soon be a lot greener, with easyJet today (Jan 10) confirming a new partnership with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) to support the development of its hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for commercial aircraft.

The airline has recently seen a lot of press when it comes to its decarbonisation plans for the future and is now first-hand offering an airline operator’s perspective on the development of the hydrogen technology that could power the future of flights.

Keir Starmer visits ITM Power’s hydrogen station - Weblink

British politician Keir Starmer on Tuesday (Jan 4) saw first-hand the benefits of hydrogen refuelling when he visited ITM Power’s hydrogen station.

Stopping off at the UK company’s site for over two hours, Starmer was able to witness exactly what ITM Power is currently working on and what the future may look like for transportation.

Dr Duncan Yellen, Managing Director at ITM Motive, was present during Starmer’s visit and believes the UK has a fantastic opportunity to lead the world in green hydrogen.

Speaking to H2 View, Yellen said, “Keir allocated an hour of his visit to Birmingham to visit the Birmingham Energy Institute and our Hydrogen refuelling station. It speaks volumes for his interest that he actually stayed for over two hours (in the freezing cold!).

“When I talked to Keir it was clear that he is a very big advocate for green hydrogen as the way forward for heavy duty vehicles such as trucks and buses hence he was he was very keen to see our station first-hand.

ScotWind announces 25GW of offshore wind successful bids - Weblink

Crown Estate Scotland has announced the outcome of its application process for ScotWind Leasing, the first Scottish offshore wind leasing round in over a decade and the first ever since the management of offshore wind rights were devolved to Scotland. The successful ScotWind bids for the development of offshore wind around Scotland include several proposals linked to proposals for the large scale production of green hydrogen.

UK Gov launches new £5m scheme to support innovative waste-to-hydrogen technology - Weblink

The UK Government has launched a new scheme today (Jan 12) that will support innovative technologies that convert biomass and waste into hydrogen as a means to bolster the domestic hydrogen economy.

With the Government to provide £5m ($6.82m) in funding, the new programme showcases the commitment of the UK in order to accelerate the hydrogen adoption within the nation by providing an avenue to produce the clean energy carrier in large quantities.

This also reduces the amount of pollution and strain on landfill sites with, by introducing waste-to-hydrogen technologies in the future, waste could be converted into clean fuel.