Page 14 - Gi August 2020

ONE SMALL STEP FOR BLENDING, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR HYDROGEN

HYDROGEN COMPOUND AT THE GRID ENTRY UNIT CARRIES NATURAL GAS,
KEELE UNIVERSITY CLOSE UP OF GRID ENTRY UNIT HYDROGEN AND A MIX OF THE TWO GASES

AN ENGINEER TESTS DIFFERENT BOILERS
A MIXED NATURAL GAS PIPELINE 85 PER CENT OF BUILDINGS USE GAS RUNNING ON HYDROGEN/NATURAL GAS BLEND

The first phase is evaluating the such as HyDeploy, and we’re very first hydrogen grid entry unit, injecting
views of people in the run-up to the eager to build on this enthusiasm for the hydrogen/methane blend into the
demonstration project starting. The the public demonstration in Winlaton Keele gas network. It is also the first
second phase of research will be carried later this year.” time that an electrolyser, manufactured
out later this year and will explore I am struck by how much has been by ITM Power and used to produce
customers’ views since the project has achieved by HyDeploy in the last three the hydrogen by splitting water into
been underway. years. To achieve an exemption from the hydrogen and oxygen, has been coupled
The research so far shows that current limit of 0.1 per cent hydrogen to a grid entry unit in the UK.
the majority of participants are in the UK gas network, the project spent The project is due to continue into
supportive of the project, with some 18 months gathering and developing the summer and will undoubtedly
genuine excitement about being part extensive evidence from around the yield more vital data. HyDeploy has
of it. People value the environmental world to demonstrate to the Health and already taken that critical first step to
benefits of the project and appreciate Safety Executive that a hydrogen blend prove it is technically possible to safely
the lack of disruption to their lives would be ‘as safe as natural gas’. blend hydrogen in a gas network and
and the minimal effort required to ‘do supply consumers.
something good.’ As we seek to rebuild and As we seek to rebuild and energise
The research demonstrated that our economy following Covid-19, there
some participants wanted reassurance energise our economy following is an increasing recognition that low
about safety and cost implications. One- Covid-19, there is an increasing carbon infrastructure has a key role to
to-one communications with members recognition that low carbon play. Both the Committee on Climate
of the project team through drop-in Change and the National Infrastructure
sessions helped address concerns, infrastructure has a key role Commission see hydrogen as integral
while there was also an implicit trust to play. Both the Committee on to this. To make that happen requires
that the project would be safe. Climate Change and the National urgent, focused and joined-up policy
There were varied attitudes towards Infrastructure Commission see regimes to enable ‘metal on the
cost implications, with several ground’. The technical and regulatory
participants mentioning this as an area hydrogen as integral to this success of the HyDeploy project needs
of initial concern for the future, although to go hand in hand with frameworks to
those taking part in the pilot project are Laboratory tests were carried out on enable investment, just as we have seen
not being charged for the hydrogen. a range of gas appliances, as well as with the successes in offshore wind and
Communication was also found to research on the effect of hydrogen on solar over the last few years.
be an important aspect of the project, the materials found in the gas network. From small acorns, oak trees grow.
with access to different forms of Key learning was shared between That first fateful molecule, making
communication important to reassure international projects also trialling its way into the gas supply of a Keele
those people receiving hydrogen blends hydrogen blends. University resident, has kickstarted
in their homes. Regular communication Safety remains at the heart of the hydrogen conversion in the UK, a move
and updates for residents throughout project. Regular sampling is undertaken that could prove to be the launchpad
the project was highlighted as a key to ensure all parts of the network for a hydrogen economy, fuelling
lesson for future pilot projects. experience a consistent blend level, industry and transport, bringing new
The largely positive attitudes of those while rhinology tests (smell tests) jobs and making Britain a world-leader
taking part is a promising sign for future ensure the blends retain the distinctive in this technology.
pilots. Mark Horsley reflects: “There is natural gas smell to aid leak detection.
a genuine excitement from customers HyDeploy has been a project of Find out more about the HyDeploy
around being part of pioneering pilots ‘firsts’, including the use of the UK’s project at IGEMtv. Visit bit.ly/IGEM-tv

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