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reaching boiling point

THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOILERS

Additionally, the cost can increase For the heating sector, we believe that hydrogen boilers can run on natural gas
greatly in comparison to a simple boiler this strategy should include a mandate until the day hydrogen becomes
replacement, particularly as many for hydrogen-ready boilers, with a date available and a much smaller conversion
houses need to be upgraded to a higher for when the only boilers allowed to be of the appliance can then be undertaken.
energy efficiency level in order for a produced and available on the market With the boiler market run rate being at
heat pump to work effectively. are hydrogen-ready. Here at Worcester around 1.7 million annually we would
Instead, a good consideration is a Bosch, we’ve certainly tried to stay very quickly populate a huge amount of
hybrid heat pump and a combi boiler. ahead of that curve when it comes to properties ready for hydrogen. These
This would allow a carbon reduction of utilising hydrogen, having unveiled our are replacing boilers that would be
possibly up to 60-70 per cent of the hydrogen boiler prototype at the start of replaced anyway as the current boiler is
heating system straight away. During this year. This prototype has been at the end of its life.
spring to autumn and many parts of a shown to a number of key officials in This is why it is essential that industry
mild winter, a heat pump could quite the UK, including the All-Party Political and government take a technology-
capably heat the house using the Group for Hydrogen, to show that agnostic view when looking at future
existing heating system without hydrogen can effectively replace our fuels. If properties and new builds are
radiator changes being necessary. tried and tested natural gas-fired taken off the gas grid prematurely, they
When it gets particularly cold and the heating systems. won’t be able to reap the benefits of a
heat pump needs support, this is when carbon-free gas like hydrogen.
the boiler would kick in.
What is more, the combi boiler would Hydrogen-ready boilers would What steps need to be made?
also be used for the generation of hot be similar to HD-ready TVs A number of trials are already
water, so would not require a hot water underway across the continent, looking
storage cylinder at all. From a disruption back in the day. By starting to research safety and the possibility of
perspective to the homeowner, it also this now, it means that once a converting homes and gas networks to
looks better than replacing the whole decision on hydrogen is finally 100 per cent hydrogen.
existing heating system. made in years to come, whole One recent example is in the UK,
It’s important that we remain where HyStreet, at DNV GL’s Spadeadam
technology-agnostic and consider all cities won’t suddenly have to facility, has been used to complete over
viable heating options to come to the most replace their boilers at once 200 tests in this space and has now
beneficial and realistic solution. Hybrids become a demonstration site for the
could be a valuable player as part of this. possibility of hydrogen heating.
A hydrogen-ready boiler is very Other industries, such as transport
What does that mean for gas? similar to its natural gas predecessors; are also making strides, researching
So far, I’ve discussed the end-user side of it is constructed and functions in much hydrogen fuel cells for long-haul
the scale. But even if we do opt for the same way as an existing condensing transport as well as hydrogen trains.
hybrid solutions for homes, the gas itself boiler. While some components are There is still work to be done,
will need to change to a carbon-free different, such as the gas burner and however. National and international
source. This is where hydrogen fits in. flame detection system, most are strategies need to be put in place to
Hydrogen gas shares many identical to those used in natural gas realise a hydrogen future, meaning it is
similarities with natural gas and has the boilers today. Converting a hydrogen- up to industry to communicate better
potential to be a direct carbon-free ready boiler from natural gas to with decision makers and the wider
replacement, thanks to the fact its only hydrogen when it comes online will public the evidence for hydrogen as a
bi-product when burned is water. take around an hour and involve replacement gas.
Hydrogen offers a lot of potential for all changing a small number of All in all, however, if the initial
countries and industries as the world looks components such as the burner. evidence suggests, the future does look
to a net zero future. With this, the move Hydrogen-ready boilers would be bright for hydrogen gas.
to hydrogen is currently experiencing similar to HD-ready TVs back in the day.
unprecedented momentum. Although it By starting this now, it means that once a Originally founded in 1962, Worcester
is not a silver bullet for global decision on hydrogen is finally made in became part of the Worldwide Bosch
decarbonisation, it will have a direct years to come, whole cities won’t Group in 1996 and is the UK market leader
impact on reducing local emissions as well suddenly have to replace their boilers at in domestic boilers. For more information,
as boosting demand for renewable energy. once. Our investigations have found that visit: www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

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