Page 35 - Gi_May2022

Hydrogen for net zero
future
Our ambition is to make hydrogen a safe, fair and reliable choice for consumers.
The delivery of Net Zero by 2050 requires an unprecedented amount of change,
investment and collaboration. As the UK’s largest distributor of natural gas
to 11 million homes, we are focused on what we can do to move away from
fossil fuels to other kinds of low carbon energy such as hydrogen in a way
that protects consumers and creates high-quality jobs.
10 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Hydrogen will play an important role as an energy source for industry,
transport, power generation and heating buildings and homes, but
we need to act now. In the words of the Business Secretary, we must
‘seize the opportunity’ to be a global leader in the future $2.5tr hydrogen
economy, to create thousands of high-quality jobs across the supply chain,
strengthen energy security and capitalise on our innovation and expertise.
We are committed to working with Government, local authorities,
Hydrogen
industry partners and consumer groups to maximise this
igem news – yppc
decarbonisation and economic opportunity. Our Hydrogen Ten
Point Plan outlines our long-term commitment to decarbonise
Ten Point Plan Steve Fraser homes and businesses in a way that minimises the impact on
the consumer, whilst also creating jobs across the UK.
Chief Executive Officer
and enthusiasm towards Cadent’s green
FIGURE 1 CADENT 10 POINT HYDROGEN PLAN (PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 2021)
power trial, as it mirrors their own
green development ambitions.
The initial scope given to the
graduate team was to find a solution
that could provide a base load of 30-
60kW, for a period of around 20 weeks.
Potential solutions Preparing and scaling Scaling investment Looking after our
Immediately, the team set out to hydrogen production in jobs and skills colleagues and consumers
investigate different green alternatives 1 5 8
to diesel gensets currently available on Introduce net zero Launch a Hydrogen Skills Provide finance for low carbon
the market. construction sites from 2023 Academy by 2024 heating for our employees now
Two viable options were found: 2 6 9
a.) HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) Deliver the first scaled hydrogen Develop a hydrogen education Publish plans to demonstrate
blending facility from 2025
HVO is a form of biodiesel – a widely 3 programme by 2024 heat decarbonisation of whole
7
communities by 2025
known drop-in alternative liquid 10
Deliver the UK’s first 100% Put pace into the adoption of
fuel to fossil diesel. As the fuel is hydrogen pipeline by 2027 hydrogen vehicles from 2025 Install hydrogen-ready
sourced from degraded crops, which 4 appliances by 2026 or sooner
have absorbed carbon dioxide from Enable 5GW of hydrogen
the atmosphere throughout their production in our region
by 2030
growth, it has less associated carbon
emissions than standard diesel.
However, the same harmful gases FIGURE 2 TYPICAL DIESEL GENERATOR IN OPERATION
are released at the point of use from
the generator itself, and audibility is
unchanged⁴.
b.) Hydrogen fuel cells PEM (polymer
electrolyte membrane) fuel cells
recombine hydrogen and oxygen,
at high temperature and pressure,
in an electrochemical reaction,
to produce three simple outputs:
water, heat, and electricity⁵. The
market for this particular application
is still relatively small, but it is
now developing at a rapid scale
in parallel with the rest of the
hydrogen industry. If the hydrogen
fuel is sourced by ‘green’ means –
i.e., electrolysis (separating water
into hydrogen and oxygen using
renewable electricity) – then the only
possible net emission associated Chosen solution Deployment day
with the whole hydrogen lifecycle After considering both options, the The 250kVA fuel cell unit was
is potentially the transport of the group targeted hydrogen fuel cells as successfully deployed on site on 24
hydrogen fuel itself from source- the whole purpose of the Cadent trial June. It was a proud moment for the
to-site, for example if carried out was to be bold and to investigate a truly Cadent group after eight and half
via diesel-powered HGVs. Another green solution that the gas distribution months of planning. This is believed to
benefit, often overlooked, is how industry is largely unfamiliar with. be a first-use case by a UK-based GDN
quietly (~65 dB) these fuel cell units Therefore, various suppliers of large- of hydrogen fuel cell technology. In
operate in comparison to their diesel scale hydrogen fuel cells were evaluated addition to powering the welfare cabins,
counterparts (~90 dB). This means before a decision was made to proceed two 22kW EV chargers were connected
that the range of operating hours with GeoPura Ltd⁶. to the unit, further utilising the fuel
of construction sites utilising such cell’s electrical output and expanding
units can be extended, especially Project delivery the portfolio of ‘green systems’ on site.
in urban areas – therefore overall The Cadent group arranged all site
project timelines can be compressed logistics and engaged with all relevant Results
as a result. However, currently stakeholders to ensure, in advance, The trial ended on 1 November after
the capital cost of manufacturing that despite the change of power 19.5 weeks of operation. Over this time,
fuel cell devices is high, and the supply system and storage of hydrogen 1,255kg of green hydrogen was used
operating costs to produce hydrogen, gas on-site, industrial standards and to provide clean power to the site with
especially green hydrogen, are also regulations were still being met. Above water as the only by product.
high. This solution is therefore all else, it was necessary to ensure the
understandably more expensive site would remain safe and without Environmental savings
than conventional alternatives. power interruptions. Using an assumption given by the

35

21/04/2022 12:02
IGEMNews_YPPC.indd 2
IGEMNews_YPPC.indd 2 21/04/2022 12:02