Page 25 - October 2019

While the UK has dramatically cut its
greenhouse gases from industry and power
generation, emissions from transport
haven’t changed much over the last 25
years. Growth of electric vehicles has
momentum; however, this puts additional
strain on local electricity networks,
particularly at peak demand periods

Hydrogen for heat incentivised to make this switch and, electric vehicles (including cars, buses
Over 20 million households are in addition, have a viable commercial and trains) combined with a network of
supplied by natural gas delivering mechanism for CCS. The government, refuelling stations is already happening.
995TWh energy through 272,000km through the Department of Business, Bus fleets in London and Aberdeen
of pipeline. This energy delivery Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), are fuelled by hydrogen, other cities
system must transform from methane is consulting industry and academia are due to follow and there is a growing
to hydrogen. The HyDeploy project on viable and workable carbon tax national network of hydrogen refuelling
is currently testing a blend of up to proposals with a focus on contracts for stations. Work at Alstom’s Widnes
20 per cent hydrogen in gas at Keele difference (CfD) propositions. However, facility will convert trains to hydrogen,
University. If successful, a roll-out to industry operates in a global market while marine applications of hydrogen
larger scale testing is planned in the and imposition of carbon taxes on UK are underway. Liverpool-based ULEMCo
North East and North West of England. industry alone may cause migration has converted commercial vehicles to
Hydrogen in its gaseous form carries a of manufacturing to countries where run on a dual fuel system of diesel and
third of the energy contained in natural carbon taxes are not in place. hydrogen and can also significantly
gas, so whereas the HyDeploy trials are extend the range of electric vehicles by
critically important in demonstrating Hydrogen for transport adding a hydrogen fuel cell. Meanwhile,
supply of a blend to existing domestic While the UK has dramatically cut its the government has awarded £6.4
appliances, this should be viewed as a greenhouse gases from industry and million to create a hydrogen refuelling
stepping stone in transition to 100 per power generation, emissions from station at the BOC plant in St Helens,
cent hydrogen supply. transport haven’t changed much over which could see 25 hydrogen-powered
the last 25 years. Growth of electric buses in Liverpool.
Hydrogen for industry vehicles has momentum; however,
The transformation of industrial this puts additional strain on local Hydrogen for power
methane consumption to hydrogen electricity networks, particularly at Whereas UK power generation has
requires significant investment peak demand periods. already seen significant reductions in
in burner and kiln technology. When hydrogen is used in transport carbon emissions, gas-fired generation
Government has committed £20 to power electric fuel cell vehicles, will continue to supply gas to balance
million to stimulate early investment it produces no nitrogen oxides or demand. The opportunity therefore
in fuel switching processes and particulate emissions, so as a transport exists to transform gas-fired generation
technologies. Firms will need to be fuel will improve air quality. Fuel cell through pre- or post-combustion CCS.

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