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Damien Hawke, Director of Future Networks at Cadent, hydrogen supply chain.
updates us on the latest from the ground-breaking HyDeploy The principle of repurposing the
project as the UK attempts to create the world’s first net zero UK’s gas network – a world class asset
carbon gas network – for low and zero carbon gases to
help decarbonise heat, transport and
industry underpins the Gas Goes Green
n Wednesday, 30 October 2019, are performing in line with the programme.
at precisely 1.15pm, through laboratory results, which is good news.” Bringing together engineering
the ground-breaking HyDeploy Although HyDeploy at Keele expertise from the UK’s five gas
demonstration project, Keele University still has several months to network operators, Gas Goes Green is
O University in Staffordshire run, these are positive findings and a blueprint to create the world’s first
became the first gas network in represent a significant milestone on the net zero gas network, delivering net
the UK to transport hydrogen since UK’s journey to decarbonise heat. zero in the most cost effective and least
the conversion from town gas was Not only does this bode well for the disruptive way possible.
completed in 1977. next stage of HyDeploy – hydrogen The transition to a hydrogen gas
Although this small physical step of blending on a public gas network at network is one of six key workstreams
blending was only at two per cent by Winlaton, near Newcastle, which is in the Gas Goes Green programme. As
volume and supplied 100 homes and due to start later this year – but also the first practical demonstration of
30 university buildings, it represented for a potential national roll-out of hydrogen in a modern UK gas network,
a giant conceptual leap in the blending in the future. HyDeploy will contribute important
decarbonisation of the largest energy Heat has proved one of the trickiest data to build an evidence base for the
source in the UK economy – our natural sectors to decarbonise. Heating homes role of hydrogen in the energy system.
gas consumption. and businesses accounts for half the Understandably, in the quest for
Backed by Ofgem’s Network UK’s energy use and one third of its alternative, low carbon sources of
Innovation Competition, HyDeploy carbon emissions. energy, much of the research has
is a £7 million project, led by Cadent focused on the technological solutions.
in partnership with Northern Gas If we are to tackle climate However, another important area
Networks, Keele University, HSE change and meet the UK’s net for exploration, and one that is
Research and Consultancy, integrated highlighted in the Gas Goes Green
hydrogen energy systems manufacturer zero target by 2050, we need to initiative, is public awareness and
ITM Power, and independent clean radically reduce our reliance on acceptance of hydrogen.
energy company Progressive Energy. fossil fuels at the point of use, It is here, again, that HyDeploy can
Since that first hydrogen molecule make a unique contribution to the net
entered Keele’s gas network, the including burning natural gas zero journey, shedding light on the
percentage of hydrogen has gradually views of the first consumers in the UK
been ramped up. Apart from a Some 85 per cent of buildings are to use a mains gas hydrogen blend in
temporary pause to blending during warmed by natural gas – with good their homes.
the lockdown, the project has been reason. Gas combines the ability to As Mark Horsley, Chief Executive
successfully demonstrating that a deliver and store large volumes of heat Officer for our consortium partners
blend of up to 20 per cent hydrogen can energy with the flexibility to respond Northern Gas Networks, said: “The
reduce carbon emissions from heating to huge seasonal and even hourly Keele demonstration is such an
homes. At the same time, customers variations in demand. important stepping stone, not only
have been able to use their gas supply However, if we are to tackle climate from a technical perspective, but
as normal, without any changes needed change and meet the UK’s net zero target also in terms of customer support
to appliances or pipework. by 2050, we need to radically reduce and acceptance for hydrogen as a low
In effect, householders can help to our reliance on fossil fuels at the point carbon technology.”
cut carbon emissions without having to of use, including burning natural gas. Professor Zoe Robinson, of Keele
take any action. Specifically, the Committee on Climate University, is leading research with a
Results so far show that gas Change has determined that hydrogen team from the Universities of Keele,
appliances using the blend continue will have to play a role in our energy York and Herriot Watt, into the
to operate seamlessly, from domestic system if we are to meet net zero. perceptions of hydrogen blending
boilers, fires and cookers through to Blending could prove an important among residents taking part in the pilot.
commercial catering equipment and first step in tackling heat. If a 20 per “Social acceptance is a key part
commercial boilers. cent hydrogen blend was rolled out of technical energy transitions,”
These findings reflect the results across the country, it could save around explains Professor Robinson, “the
of laboratory testing of appliances six million tonnes of carbon dioxide Keele demonstration provides an
undertaken by the HSE Research and emissions every year – the equivalent ideal opportunity to learn from
Consultancy and gas specialists KIWA, of taking 2.5 million cars off the road – customers experiencing a hydrogen
required before the live pilot could begin. with no need for consumers to change blend in their own home. Exploring
Catherine Spriggs, Programme gas appliances or the way they use gas. the perceptions of people taking part
Manager for HSE Research and While hydrogen blending at this level in this type of project is important,
Consultancy, said: “Safety is the alone won’t get us to net zero, blending both for increasing our knowledge
foundation of the HyDeploy project. could open the door to a greater use of of how customers feel about the new
Gas appliances were subject to rigorous hydrogen – possibly up to 100 per cent technology in their homes, but also for
laboratory testing. The results from the in the network – as well as promoting making these people feel valued.
live pilot so far indicate that appliances public acceptance and kickstarting a The research is split into two phases.

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