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resilience is also of primary concern
for any net zero society. There are
a number of technologies, each at
different stages of maturity. Some of
these technologies are dependent
upon major growth in renewable
electricity and again this must be
encouraged, from a whole energy
systems perspective, rather than that of
a singular energy vector, to put the UK
on an accelerated timeline to net zero.
Across this range of technologies there
is a need to build up UK capability,
knowledge and skills discussed further
in the criterion relating to co-benefits.
Although incurring cost today, can
be progressively upscaled so that
it will reduce costs for the future:
The rollout at scale of hydrogen will
require deployment of new critical
technologies which have yet to be example, high-heat industries for any limited resources, for example
tried and tested. While investment which there are limited alternatives prioritising uses where no other
will be required for demonstration to fossil fuels. However, the role of low-carbon option feasibly exists: As
and scale-up, in parallel with ongoing hydrogen needs to be further tested described in the CCC’s Sixth Carbon
research and innovation, and more through medium- and large-scale Budget, hydrogen will be essential in
thought will be required to determine demonstration projects which, under every pathway to net zero. However, it
whether and how to prioritise certain scenarios that deploy blue hydrogen, is important that within the scale-up
end-uses that are hard to decarbonise, will need to include demonstration of hydrogen production, storage and
early deployment will reduce costs for of CCS at the required scale and use, the sectors that are most difficult
the future. Underpinned by targeted suitably scaled hydrogen storage to decarbonise without hydrogen are
scientific and engineering research, systems to balance production against prepared to transition to hydrogen, have
“learning by doing” is needed to ensure demand. The growth of hydrogen the policies and incentives necessary to
uncertainties can be evaluated and the and CCS provides potential economic accelerate adoption, invest in R&D and
risks are minimised. This will reduce growth areas with co-benefits and skills and receive the hydrogen supply
costs for any future deployment, opportunities around new markets they need to decarbonise. This means
provide certainty for supply chains and and exports, supply chains and including these sectors in the pilot
skills providers, thereby having the services and jobs, potentially at scale, projects aimed at scaling up hydrogen
benefit of minimising the impact on if hydrogen production and supply production, storage and end-uses, and
the consumer and, as such, accelerate can be achieved in a low carbon way. increasing the products, markets, skills
adoption. The UK does not necessarily Demonstration projects will help and knowledge base needed to do so.
have to adopt a ‘first mover’ position to test and understand the skills, Pilot projects and any further roll out
on hydrogen technology, and could competencies, markets, regulations, of hydrogen technologies should be
wait for other countries to develop, supply chains and services required partnered with public engagement
demonstrate and deploy these to scale up the role of hydrogen and aimed at developing people’s
technologies. While this may result in CCS. The UK has the opportunity to understanding of this new energy vector
reduced short-term risks and costs to become a lead innovator, developer and its use in the sectors where it is
the UK, as has been witnessed through and first adopter of new technologies, adopted. This will allow these otherwise
the evolution of wind technologies, a principal adopter of a wide range hard-to-decarbonise sectors to take
it also risks missing the opportunity of low carbon solutions, bolstering advantage of the increasing availability
of significant co-benefits to the UK internal manufacturing and product of hydrogen, achieve immediate
from the early development of the development capability, leading to emission reduction and be a successful
intellectual property, UK-based new jobs and skills, enhancing our part of the net zero transition.
manufacturing, and the skills needed export potential for skills, capability
in this new sector, as well as the and goods. The recent commitment The National Engineering Policy Centre
opportunity to drive the standards in the Prime Minister’s 10-Point Plan (NEPC) connects policymakers with
to which low carbon hydrogen for a Green Industrial Revolution set critical engineering expertise to inform
technologies perform. out key milestones for a programme and respond to policy issues of national
Clear co-benefits or synergies with of trials. It committed to support importance, giving policymakers a
other key policy objectives: Hydrogen industry to begin a Hydrogen route to advice from across the whole
has the potential to play a valuable Neighbourhood trial by 2023, a large profession, and the profession a unified
role as a viable, affordable and secure Hydrogen Village trial by 2025 and voice on shared challenges. Read the
energy vector for decarbonisation how government will help deliver the NEPC’s full report Rapid ‘low regrets’
of industry, such as substituting UK’s first Hydrogen Town by 2030. decision making for net zero policy at
fossil fuel in heat provision in, for Makes or facilitates best use of www.raeng.org.uk/publications

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