Energy Networks Association (ENA) has published the UK’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan, detailing how the UK’s gas network will be ready to deliver hydrogen across the country from 2023.
The report sets out how all five UK gas network companies will meet the government target of having the UK network of gas pipelines ready by 2023 to supply 20 percent hydrogen to homes and businesses, replacing up to one fifth of the natural gas currently used. .
It also means the UK’s fleet of gas-fired power stations can use mixed hydrogen to generate cleaner electricity.
The companies are calling on the UK government to double its domestic hydrogen production target from 5GW to 10GW by 2030, to ensure as much hydrogen as possible is produced from UK sources to better protect homes and businesses from changes in the international gas market.
Blending 20 percent hydrogen into the gas grid will reduce CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 2.5 million cars a year, without having to make changes to people’s stoves, boilers or heating systems, ENA said.
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The plan describes a new “Target 2023” timeline that all five gas grid companies will follow, and two recommendations for options from which the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy should choose for the necessary changes in energy infrastructure to enable hydrogen blending from 2023 — a strategic approach and a free market approach.
It also describes legal changes to be made by government and regulators in five key “market pillars.”
ENA’s plan builds on the progress made by gas network companies through the HyDeploy project, which demonstrates the safety and feasibility of mixing hydrogen with natural gas. The project began blending hydrogen into the public gas network at Winlaton, Gateshead in the summer of 2021.
“Whether it’s heating our homes, powering our businesses or generating cleaner electricity, hydrogen will help increase our energy security while lowering our carbon emissions – and the UK’s gas grid companies are ready to get to work on that. to deliver,” said David Smith, chief executive of Energy Networks Association.
“This plan describes the changes needed to achieve a cleaner, safer energy supply for all. Most importantly, the government is also doing its part by lifting its target for home-grown hydrogen production this decade. By doing that today, gas network companies will be able to deliver tomorrow.”
