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industry & Government news

GOVERNMENT’S LACK OF STRATEGY IS HALTING

THE GROWTH OF COMMUNITY ENERGY, SAY MPS

GOVERNMENT LACKS CLARITY and but by engaging local citizens on the
a clear strategy regarding the role of benefits of renewable energy and in
community energy in the decarbonisation many ways how we can do our bit to
of the energy sector, the Environment help keep the lights on ourselves.”
Audit Committee (EAC) has suggested. A BEIS spokesperson said: “We all
In a letter to the Business Secretary, have a part to play in tackling climate
EAC Chair Philip Dunne expressed change and the government recognises
disappointment that community the important impact community
energy had only a passing mention in PHILIP DUNNE, EAC CHAIR energy schemes can have in prompting
the Energy White Paper. behaviour change and supporting the
The body stresses there are certain inquiry into technological innovations UK’s drive to end our contribution to
regulatory barriers, like the Smart and climate change has shown us climate change by 2050.
Export Guarantee that halt a significant that there is no shortage of innovative “Our £10 million Rural Community
rollout of community energy projects, ideas that could all play significant Energy Projects Fund is supporting
according to Energy Live News. roles in helping the UK achieve net communities across England to develop
The committee notes further financial zero emissions. green energy projects to help cut
support is needed to encourage more “But what is lacking is government emissions, reduce energy costs and
community energy schemes. support, a coherent plan and recognition even generate income by selling energy
Highlighting the example of of current barriers. For net zero Britain back to the grid.
the Netherlands, EAC also recommends requires us to change our behaviour and “So far the scheme has supported the
regulatory and grid-connection barriers to adapt to a low carbon lifestyle. development of 135 projects, with more
be removed to allow community projects “Community energy can help achieve on the way, creating jobs and levelling
to sell their energy to local communities. this, not only powering homes and up our regions as we build back better
Mr Dunne said: “Our continuing businesses up and down the country and greener from the pandemic.”

NATIONAL GRID LOOKS TO PROVE CASE FOR HYDROGEN BLENDING

NATIONAL for the necessary changes to legal strategy with a 2,000km network of 100
GRID IS mechanisms and safety procedures per cent hydrogen pipelines by 2030.
LOOKING to for the network, Green said. The project would repurpose around
make the case “Blending is an enabler to get to 100 25 per cent of current gas transmission
for blending per cent,” Green said. pipelines, and could carry “at least a
hydrogen into Green noted systems already in quarter” of current British gas demand,
the natural operation that run high hydrogen National Grid said, connecting
gas network blends in their gas grids, such as Hong clusters in Grangemouth, Teesside,
as it navigates Kong which operates on town gas, Humberside, the North West, South
ANTONY GREEN, NATIONAL GRID its role in the which is 50 per cent hydrogen. Wales and Southampton.
country’s transition to a low carbon “All of the international research Project Union would build
economy, the company’s Project suggests that we would be able to do resilience between the hubs, Green
Director for Hydrogen, Antony Green, it,” Green said. said, reducing the need for additional
told news agency S&P Global Platts. For medium-level blends upwards, production or storage facilities in any
“The existing national gas transmission compression infrastructure and some single location.
asset provides a valuable option for pipelines will need to be replaced The project will explore connections
decarbonisation if we can demonstrate or retrofitted. Original equipment to existing interconnectors at Bacton,
a move to hydrogen is possible,” Green manufacturers indicate the turbines where the UK could link with the EU
said in an interview. used are ready to take hydrogen hydrogen backbone in development.
“The work that we’re doing over blends of 10-30 per cent with some National Grid is also investigating
the next few years is to develop the retrofitting, though these estimates hydrogen supply from the Isle of Grain
evidence base.” are rising as further research is to London, under Project Cavendish.
National Grid is working on a conducted, he said. Green said National Grid had
test facility to prove the natural gas National Grid launched Project identified the pipework needed and
network can handle various blends Union in March to develop a UK potential primary users in the power
of hydrogen, starting at two per cent, hydrogen backbone connecting the generation sector around the Isle of
then 20, and eventually 100 per cent. industrial clusters identified in the UK Grain, and the next stage would be
This would provide the evidence base government’s industrial decarbonisation pre-front end engineering design.

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