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modern CCGT gas-power stations In order to reach the UK’s planned
that produce lower emissions with net zero target, it is important to
enormous energy output. make sure all gas turbines can run
For instance, the UK’s solar power on hydrogen by 2050 – and Siemens
industry reached its record high in Energy has a commitment to make
electricity production in 2020, but sure all its turbines are able to do this
this still only accounts for 11.5 per by 2030. However, to make that long-
cent of overall generation. It is also term transition as clean as possible it
important to remember that there is requires high-efficiency, combined cycle
lower demand on the electricity grid gas turbine (CCGT) plants to provide
overall right now thanks to the Covid-19 baseload power in the meantime. Not
pandemic and closure of much of the only are they the cleanest form of
industry and business sector. gas-fired power stations in the world,
Neither is renewable energy but they provide the potential to be
production consistent throughout upgraded to use hydrogen power,
the year. When it is cold and dark, ultimately decarbonising the electricity
we all rush to put on more lights or grid for a net zero future.
make an extra cup of tea, which sees This will allow natural gas to be
electricity demand soar. For those smoothly phased out ahead of the
spikes and surges in need, gas provides target. A just transition also aligns with
the flexibility to balance supply and the arguments from proponents of
demand, especially when renewables the UK’s potential Green New Deal. By
aren’t generating at full capacity, due to phasing natural gas out for hydrogen,
still and cloudy weather. this will allow the industry to build a
process for the transition of ‘brown
GREEN GAS POWER jobs’ into new ‘green’ ones, furthering
While electricity is largely generated by the economy overall.
natural gas today, in the future, turbines
could run on ‘blue hydrogen’ – using the WE MUST MAKE CHANGES TO CARBON
emissions from carbon capture use and EMISSIONS NOW
storage (CCUS) to create the hydrogen. Of course, for the industry to develop
Or they could run on ‘green hydrogen’, these processes, it will take years. So
the backbone of our energy system – which is formed by splitting hydrogen it must make changes now. While the
providing the largest portion of the UK’s from oxygen in water using an energy sector is working towards net
electricity generation (38.8 per cent as of electrolyser. When this splitting process zero, replacing coal for natural gas
March 2020). Therefore, it’s important is powered by renewable sources of in the grid in the short term reduces
to understand the involvement of gas- energy, it makes the power source green carbon emissions, starting to improve
powered generation, how it contributes from end-to-end. air quality now.
towards decarbonisation and why we According to the IEA, switching from
can’t abandon gas – both natural gas and coal to natural gas around the world
clean gases, like hydrogen – in the grid. Natural gas has a reputation has saved around 500 million tonnes
If we were to simply switch natural problem because it is, in of CO₂ since 2010 – that’s equivalent
gas off tomorrow, we would lose almost essence, a fossil fuel. But it’s to exchanging 200 million cars for
half of today’s electricity generation. electric vehicles over the same period.
Instead of simply abandoning natural a much cleaner, more efficient Meanwhile last year in Germany, power
gas, we must instead look at the role gas and less carbon-emitting fossil plants emitted 33 per cent less CO₂
has to play in the short and long term fuel than coal year-on-year, after fuel switching from
on the UK’s journey to net zero. coal to gas.
Given the time it takes to build
THE ROLE OF GAS IN THE GRID In the future, with a clear hydrogen effective, competitive new markets,
As the National Grid’s Future Energy policy, it will be possible to use embracing gas will help the energy
Scenarios (FES) report highlights, renewables to generate hydrogen industry to prepare for a decarbonised
natural gas has a crucial role to play using an electrolyser at an onshore or hydrogen grid. It is important to work
in electricity generation as the system offshore wind farm and store it for later with the natural gas we have in the grid
transitions to carbon free. FES points use, by using the hydrogen to power a now to start building the bridge to the
out that natural gas still provides the turbine. If a third of the offshore wind future of the energy market.
grid with a flexible and reliable means planned in the UK by 2030 were to be
to meet electricity demand, particularly built with hydrogen production, this As a new, independent company,
when renewable output is low. Much would require 6-10GW of electrolysers Siemens Energy aims to energise
of the decarbonisation debate rightly to be installed during the second half society and help its customers make the
focuses on building a renewable-led of the 2020s. It would also mean this transition to a more sustainable world.
industry – but in the short term, there renewable power could be stored Its portfolio covers nearly the entire
isn’t enough renewable generation to between seasons, meaning more clean energy value chain, from generation
fully power the grid. Having natural power would be available for use at to transmission and industrial-scale
gas on the system will enable more to a later date – perhaps when there is electrolysis. For more information, visit
be integrated, particularly in efficient higher demand than supply. www.siemens-energy.com

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