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planning for change

sectors, and the role for gas networks. ongoing work to develop business
The task is major, but achievable. But models for low carbon hydrogen
there is no time to waste – ambition BRITAIN’S HYDROGEN production, but there are several
must be turned into action at all levels. NE T WORK PL AN gaps in policy. These gaps need to be
REPORT
The Hydrogen Network Plan will be addressed in the forthcoming Hydrogen
delivered in four broad stages: Strategy to deliver on the commitments
Over the next five years, the gas made in the ten-point plan and to
networks will be preparing for 1 ENA — REPORT deliver the Hydrogen Network Plan.
transition, including continuing the
Iron Mains Risk Reduction Programme, These include:
completing the safety case, trialling operation; linkages to sufficient Hydrogen-ready appliances: There is
100 per cent hydrogen in homes, and hydrogen production and storage no timetable for mandating hydrogen-
carrying out network modelling to capacity; and flexibility to connect new ready appliances, which are necessary
ensure that security of supply can be sources at more entry points. to facilitate a network conversion. The
maintained. This first stage will give earlier hydrogen-ready appliances
government the information required 3. Focusing on people’s needs: The are rolled out, the smoother the
to make policy decisions on the hydrogen network will have a strong conversion will be. A mandate
conversion of networks. customer focus, supporting consumers needs to be in force by no later than
From 2025-30, networks will be to decarbonise in a convenient 2025, which would mean that most
carrying out solution pilots, including and cost-effective way, including homes would have hydrogen-ready
larger 100 per cent hydrogen through interim steps to enable appliances by 2040.
domestic pilots, 20 per cent blending rapid decarbonisation. This covers: Hybrids: Hybrid heating systems
in parts of the network, and billing domestic convenience and utility; should be supported now, for roll-out
based on energy content rather than transport sector convenience and at scale.
volume. The iron mains replacement utility; industrial sector convenience Hydrogen production volumes: The
programme will also continue. and utility; interim steps to reduce main risk is that insufficient volumes
In the 2030s, they will scale up, emissions rapidly and early, including of hydrogen production are supported.
building new hydrogen pipelines blending and hybrid heating systems; GW-scale production capacity needs
between industrial clusters and and energy-content billing. to be added each year, and business
connecting with storage facilities; models need to support this scale.
connecting hydrogen production to 4. Delivering jobs and investment: While the ten-point plan targets 5GW
the networks; and, with the iron mains The UK’s gas networks will deliver the of low carbon hydrogen production
replacement programme completed, supply chain to construct and convert capacity by 2030, this needs to be
rolling out 100 per cent hydrogen the network needed to allow 100 per increased to 10GW to enable this plan.
conversion for use in homes, dispersed cent hydrogen to be introduced on time, Storage and conversion support:
industry and transport. which includes: equipment, including There are no business models for
In the 2040s, the full transition will appliances and long-lead items, and hydrogen storage or for network
occur, with a national hydrogen network skilled people. conversion, both of which could
in place and hydrogen a normal part of The plan sets out to achieve the be funded through the regulated
training for Gas Safe engineers. hydrogen transformation of the asset base (RAB) framework. A RAB
network according to these principles, for hydrogen storage should be in
THE FOUR TENETS with the networks having projects place from 2025, and for domestic
To deliver a 100 per cent hydrogen planned and underway across the conversion from 2030.
network, the plan has four key tenets: country to deliver this. Flexibility: The RIIO2 framework
1.Ensuring people’s safety: Working needs to be managed in a sufficiently
closely with the Health & Safety WIDER ACTIONS NEEDED supportive and flexible way to enable
Executive, UK innovation projects Alongside the preparation of gas the range of innovation projects and
are making great progress and results networks for hydrogen conversion, trials to be carried out in a timely way.
have shown that using hydrogen in the a set of wider actions are needed for Planning: The planning system will
natural gas grid is fundamentally safe. hydrogen to be adopted at scale. These need to be able to accommodate a large
Current safety work is developing the are outside of the networks’ control, volume of applications for hydrogen
right technology and procedures across although projects are being supported production, storage, pipeline and other
the GB system, including: end-user by the gas network operators. Building facilities. It is not clear whether the
appliances, such as domestic boilers on the ten-point plan, the government’s planning system will be able to manage
and industrial burners, the low- Hydrogen Strategy needs to support this in a timely manner. Planning
pressure distribution network, and the work in several areas to enable Britain’s applications should be prioritised and
high-pressure transmission network. hydrogen network. The key areas include: decisions expedited.
hydrogen production, hydrogen storage Delivery: Delivering the Hydrogen
2. Maintaining security of supply: and ensuring that CCS is developed at Network Plan requires action on the part
The networks will deliver a hydrogen scale in several clusters by 2030. of networks, government, regulators and
system that meets the same high levels others over the coming years.
of supply security as today, with very Policy actions needed to deliver this plan
rare unplanned interruptions. This Policy support and decisions from Published as part of Energy Networks
means ensuring: sufficient physical government are required for hydrogen Association’s Gas Goes Green programme,
network capacity and resilience to development in all sectors. Significant Britain’s the full Hydrogen Network Plan
meet demand peaks; effective system progress is being made, including can be found at www.energynetworks.org

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