Page 13 - Gi March 2019 - Flipbook

n a cold winter’s day, when needs to be a firm evidence base on challenges for the energy sector. One
we switch on the central the technical and cost implications of a of the most pertinent questions is this:
heating to stay warm, we’re hydrogen transition compared with the what does a hydrogem economy mean
overwhelmingly reliant on alternatives. The cost to the consumer for the gas national transmission
O natural gas to do the job. It has will be the critical factor. system (NTS)?
been that way for decades. But let’s fast Both here in the UK and Clearly, National Grid Gas
forward 30 or 40 years. How might the internationally work is ongoing to Transmission (NGGT) has a significant
UK heat its homes and workplaces in investigate the feasibility of a transition stake in this debate – the NTS is a critical
future? It’s a question that will affect to hydrogen from a technical standpoint. part of the UK’s infrastructure and will
everyday life in a very tangible way. There are several projects underway likely remain so for at least the next 40
There has been much discussion at the gas distribution network level. years. We need to understand what role
about the importance of decarbonising These include the HyNet and HyDeploy the NTS could play in a hydrogen future
heat and the choices that lie ahead, from hydrogen blending projects, as well for the UK. Using the NTS to facilitate
electrification of heat using heat pumps as the H21 North of England project the transition to a hydrogen heating
through to district heating schemes. that proposes a detailed engineering system will be a key enabler.
Increasingly, hydrogen is part of that solution to convert the North of
conversation, not least because of its England to 100 per cent hydrogen by How NGGT is tackling the challenge
‘green’ credentials, that is the fact that 2034. Then, there is the Hydrogen 100 There are many strands to the work
it does not produce carbon dioxide project, the goal of which is to create a we’re doing to investigate the future
when burned. At a time when society small demonstration network to prove for hydrogen. This requires a co-
is grappling with how best to tackle the concept for domestic hydrogen. ordinated approach, which is why we
climate change, hydrogen is an attractive All these activities continue to provide are bringing all this activity together
proposition – on the surface at least. valuable insights at a regional level. under the banner of HyNTS. This
However, there are hurdles to overcome. will be a focal point for our various
Implications for the national programmes both internally and in
Gathering the evidence transmission system (NTS) collaboration with the wider industry.
The UK government is evaluating the When considering a UK-wide Alongside HyNTS, we’ve created
best routes to decarbonise heat, but hydrogen economy, as with any major what we’re calling the Hydrogen Hub,
before it can set policy direction there technological change, there are a host of which brings together the right people

At a time when society is
grappling with how best to tackle
climate change, hydrogen is an
attractive proposition – on the
surface at least

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