United Kingdom
Research Priorities Workshop 2024 - Outcomes Report
Feb 2025
Publication
The Research Priorities Workshop (RPW) brought together experts from academia industry and government to identify and prioritise future research directions with regard to hydrogen safety. Over two days participants engaged in presentations and discussions covering key areas such as transportation and storage ignition phenomena cryogenic hydrogen risk assessment methodologies and others. A critical component of the workshop was the prioritisation exercise during which attendees voted on the most urgent and impactful areas for future research. This document summarises the workshop’s activities including the prioritisation results which will serve as input to guide global hydrogen safety research efforts. The combined rankings from industry and non-industry stakeholders highlighted Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) and Reliability Data as the top priority followed closely by Mitigation Sensors and Hazard Prevention and Phenomena Understanding and Modelling. Regulations Codes and Standards followed immediately with a particularly high ranking from the industry representatives. These priorities reflect a strong collective focus on those topics to ensure hydrogen’s safe and scalable adoption. The insights and recommendations gathered during the RPW are important for shaping the strategic research priorities necessary to support the safe commercialisation of hydrogen technologies.
A Review of Analogue Case Studies Relevant to Large-scale Underground Hydrogen Storage
Feb 2024
Publication
Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) has gathered interest over the past decade as an efficient means of storing energy. Although a significant number of research and demonstration projects have sought to understand the associated technical challenges it is yet to be achieved on commercial scales. We highlight case studies from town gas and blended hydrogen storage focusing on leakage pathways and hydrogen reactivity. Experience from helium storage serves as an analogue for the containment security of hydrogen as the two gases share physiochemical similarities including small molecular size and high diffusivity. Natural gas storage case studies are also investigated to highlight well integrity and safety challenges. Technical parameters identified as having adverse effects on storage containment security efficiency and hydrogen reactivity were then used to develop high-level and site-specific screening criteria. Thirty-two depleted offshore hydrocarbon reservoirs in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) are identified as potential storage formations based on the application of our high-level criteria. The screened fields reflect large hydrogen energy capacities low cushion gas requirements and proximity to offshore wind farms thereby highlighting the widespread geographic availability and potential for efficient UHS in the UKCS. Following the initial screening we propose that analysis of existing helium concentrations and investigation of local tectonic settings are key site-specific criteria for identifying containment security of depleted fields for stored hydrogen.
Optimization of Green Ammonia Distribution Systems for Intercontinental Energy Transport
Aug 2021
Publication
Green ammonia is a promising hydrogen derivative which enables intercontinental transport of dispatchable renewable energy. This research describes the development of a model which optimizes a global green ammonia network considering the costs of production storage and transport. In generating the model we show economies of scale for green ammonia production are small beyond 1 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA) although benefits accrue up to a production rate of 10 MMTPA if a production facility is serviced by a new port or requires a long pipeline. The model demonstrates that optimal sites for ammonia production require not only an excellent renewable resource but also ample land from which energy can be harvested. Land limitations constrain project size in otherwise optimal locations and force production to more expensive sites. Comparison of current crude oil markets to future ammonia markets reveals a trend away from global supply hubs and toward demand centers serviced by regional production.
High-Efficiency, Lightweight, and Reliable Integrated Structures—The Future of Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers
Oct 2025
Publication
The high efficiency light weight and reliability of hydrogen energy electrochemical equipment are among the future development directions. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and electrolyzers as key components have structures and strengths that determine the efficiency of their power generation and the hydrogen production efficiency of electrolyzers. This article summarizes the evolution of membrane electrode and electrolyzer structures and their power and efficiency in recent years highlighting the significant role of integrated structures in promoting proton transport and enhancing performance. Finally it proposes the development direction of integrating electrolyte and electrode manufacturing using phase-change methods.
Performance Test of a Hydrogen-powered Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System and its Simulation for Vehicle Propulsion Application
Dec 2024
Publication
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have not received enough attention as a power source in the transportation sector. However with the development of the technology its advantages over other types of fuel cells such as fuel flexibility and high energy efficiency have made SOFC an interesting option. The present study aims at simulation and experimentally validation of the performance of a hydrogen-powered SOFC in an automotive application. A 6 kW SOFC stack is tested and its model is integrated into a series hybrid electric vehicle model. A fuzzy controller is designed to regulate the charging current between the battery and the SOFC in the vehicle model. Experimental tests are also conducted in a few cases on the SOFC based on the simulation results. The performance of the real SOFC stack is then analysed under dynamic loads to see how the desired current is provided in practice. The results demonstrate a good performance of the SOFC stack under variable load conditions.
Sustainable Hydrogen Production from Waste Plastics via Staged Chemical Looping Gasification with Iron-based Oxygen Carrier
Aug 2025
Publication
Thermo-chemical conversion of waste plastics offers a sustainable strategy for integrated waste management and clean energy generation. To address the challenges of low gas yield and rapid catalyst deactivation due to coking in conventional gasification processes an innovative three-stage chemical looping gasification (CLG) system specifically designed for enhanced hydrogen-rich syngas production was proposed in this work. A comparative analysis between conventional gasification and the staged CLG system were firstly conducted coupled with online gas analysis for mechanistic elucidation. The influence of Fe/Al molar ratios in oxygen carriers and their cyclic stability were systematically examined through multicycle experiments. Results showed that the three-stage CLG in the presence of Fe1Al2 demonstrated exceptional performance achieving 95.23 mmol/gplastic of H2 and 129.89 mmol/gplastic of syngas respectively representing 1.32-fold enhancement over conventional method. And the increased H2/CO ratio (2.68-2.75) reflected better syngas quality via water-gas shift. Remarkably the oxygen carrier maintained nearly 100% of its initial activity after 7 redox cycles attributed to the incorporation of Al2O3 effectively mitigating sintering and phase segregation through metal-support interactions. These findings establish a three-stage CLG configuration with Fe-Al oxygen carriers as an efficient platform for efficient hydrogen production from waste plastics contributing to sustainable waste valorisation and carbon-neutral energy systems.
Techno-economic Comparative Study of Grid-connected PV/Reformer/FC Hybrid Systems with Distinct Solar Tracking Systems
Feb 2023
Publication
The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the techno-economic performance of grid-connected Hybrid Energy Systems (HES) consisting of Photovoltaic (PV) and Reformer Fuel-Cell (RF-FC) using different types of solar PV tracking techniques to supply electricity to a small location in the City of Chlef Algeria. The PV tracking systems considered in this study include fixed facing south at four different angles (32◦ 34◦ 36◦ 38◦) horizontal-axis with continuous adjustment vertical-axis with continuous adjustment and a two-axis tracking system. The software tool HOMER Pro (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) is used to simulate and analyze the technical feasibility and life-cycle cost of these different configurations. The meteorological data consisting of global solar radiation and air temperature used in this study was collected from the geographical area of the City of Chlef during the year 2020. This study has shown that the optimal design of a grid-connected hybrid PV/RF-FC energy system with Vertical Single Axis Tracker (VSAT) leads to the best economic perfor mance with low values of Net Present Cost (NPC) Cost of Energy (COE) with a Positive Return on Investment (ROI) and the shortest Simple Payback (SP) period. In addition from the simulation results obtained it can be concluded that the Horizontal and Vertical Single-Axis Trackers (HSAT and VSAT) as well as the Dual-Axis Tracker (DAT) are not always cost effective compared to the Fixed Tilt System (FTS). Therefore it is neces sary to carefully analyze the use of each tracker to assess whether the energy gain achieved outweighs the overall shortcomings of the tracker.
An Integrated–Intensified Adsorptive-Membrane Reactor Process for Simultaneous Carbon Capture and Hydrogen Production: Multi-Scale Modeling and Simulation
Aug 2025
Publication
Minimizing carbon dioxide emissions is crucial due to the generation of energy from fossil fuels. The significance of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology which is highly successful in mitigating carbon emissions has increased. On the other hand hydrogen is an important energy carrier for storing and transporting energy and technologies that rely on hydrogen have become increasingly promising as the world moves toward a more environmentally friendly approach. Nevertheless the integration of CCS technologies into power production processes is a significant challenge requiring the enhancement of the combined power generation–CCS process. In recent years there has been a growing interest in process intensification (PI) which aims to create smaller cleaner and more energy efficient processes. The goal of this research is to demonstrate the process intensification potential and to model and simulate a hybrid integrated–intensified adsorptive-membrane reactor process for simultaneous carbon capture and hydrogen production. A comprehensive multi-scale multi-phase dynamic computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based process model is constructed which quantifies the various underlying complex physicochemical phenomena occurring at the pellet and reactor levels. Model simulations are then performed to investigate the impact of dimensionless variables on overall system performance and gain a better understanding of this cyclic reaction/separation process. The results indicate that the hybrid system shows a steady-state cyclic behavior to ensure flexible operating time. A sustainability evaluation was conducted to illustrate the sustainability improvement in the proposed process compared to the traditional design. The results indicate that the integrated–intensified adsorptive-membrane reactor technology enhances sustainability by 35% to 138% for the chosen 21 indicators. The average enhancement in sustainability is almost 57% signifying that the sustainability evaluation reveals significant benefits of the integrated–intensified adsorptive-membrane reactor process compared to HTSR + LTSR.
Hydrogen Pipelines Safety Using System Dynamics
Oct 2025
Publication
With the global expansion of hydrogen infrastructure the safe and efficient transportation of hydrogen is becoming more important. In this study several technical factors including material degradation pressure variations and monitoring effectiveness that influence hydrogen transportation using pipelines are examined using system dynamics. The results show that hydrogen embrittlement which is the result of microstructural trapping and limited diffusion in certain steels can have a profound effect on pipeline integrity. Material incompatibility and pressure fluctuations deepen fatigue damage and leakage risk. Moreover pipeline monitoring inefficiency combined with hydrogen’s high flammability and diffusivity can raise serious safety issues. An 80% decrease in monitoring efficiency will result in a 52% reduction in the total hydrogen provided to the end users. On the other hand technical risks such as pressure fluctuations and material weakening from hydrogen embrittlement also affect overall system performance. It is essential to understand that real-time detection using hydrogen monitoring is particularly important and will lower the risk of leakage. It is crucial to know where hydrogen is lost and how it impacts transport efficiency. The model offers practical insights for developing stronger and more reliable hydrogen transport systems thereby supporting the transition to a low-carbon energy future.
Adaptive Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Scheduling Strategy Based on Traffic State Assessment in Power-Transportation Coupled Networks
Aug 2025
Publication
As the global demand for energy increases and the transition to renewable and clean sources accelerates microgrid (MG) has emerged as a promising solution. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) offer significant advantages over gasoline vehicles in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. However the development of HFCVs is hindered by the substantial up-front costs of hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) coupled with the high cost of hydrogen transportation and the limitations of the hydrogen supply chain. This research proposes a multimicrogrid (MMG) system that integrates hydrogen energy and utilizes it as the HRS for fuel vehicle refueling. An adaptive hydrogen energy management method is employed for fuel cell vehicles to optimize the coupling between the transportation network and the power system. An integrated transportation state assessment model is developed and a smart MMG system is deployed to receive information from the transportation network. Building on this foundation an adaptive hydrogen scheduling model is developed. HFCVs are influenced by the hydrogen price adjustments leading them to travel to different MGs for refueling which in turn regulates the unit output of the MMG system. The MMG system is then integrated with the IEEE 33 bus distribution system to analyze the daily load balance. This integrated approach results in reduced traffic congestion lower MG costs and optimized power distribution network load balance.
Reviewing Sector Coupling in Offshore Energy System Integration Modelling: The North Sea Context
Dec 2024
Publication
Offshore energy system integration is particularly important for realising a rapid and cost-effective low-carbon energy transition in the North Sea region. Effective implementation of strategies that require collaboration be tween countries developers and operators must be underpinned by robust and comprehensive modelling results. Intra-system interactions and diversity of sectors needed to facilitate the energy transition must be adequately captured within whole-system models. Historically consideration of the offshore energy environment within macro-scale models has been supplementary to the onshore system. However increased deployment of offshore wind focus on geological storage for energy security and technological development and investment in hydrogen and carbon storage projects highlights the importance of expanding the role of the offshore system within modelling. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of energy system integration challenges within offshore system modelling and how these define the requirements of the employed methodology. The findings suggest large-scale offshore system modelling studies typically include few energy vectors limited spatial resolution and simplified network flow characteristics. Despite the North Sea focus these challenges reflect fundamental barriers within large-scale offshore energy system modelling and thus extend to similar offshore contexts globally. Key approaches are identified to maximise sectoral and technological diversity while maintaining sufficient temporal and spatial resolution to suitably represent the evolving offshore system are identified. We make concrete suggestions for future work in this field based on identified best practice among the reviewed literature.
Hydrogen Storage in Depleted Gas Reservoirs with Carbon Dioxide as a Cushion Gas: Exploring a Lateral Gas Seperation Strategy to Reduce Gas Mixing
Jan 2025
Publication
Large-scale H2 storage in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs offers a practical way to use existing energy infra structure to address renewable energy intermittency. Cushion gases often constitute a large initial investment especially when expensive H2 is used. Cheaper alternatives such as CO2 or in-situ CH4 can reduce costs and in the case of CO2 integrate within carbon capture and storage systems. This study explored cushion and working gas dynamics through numerically modelling a range of storage scenarios in laterally extensive reservoirs – such as those in the Southern North Sea. In all simulations the cushion and working gases were separated laterally to limit contact surface area and therefore mixing. This work provides valuable insights into (i) capacity estima tions of CO2 storage and H2 withdrawal (ii) macro-scale fluid dynamics and (iii) the effects of gas mixing trends on H2 purity. The results underscore key trade-offs between CO2 storage volumes and H2 withdrawal and purity
Zone Negligible Extent: Example of Specific Detailed Risk Assessment for Low Pressure Equipment in a Hydrogen Refuelling Station
Sep 2023
Publication
The MultHyFuel project aims to develop evidence-based guidelines for the safe implementation of Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) in a multi-fuel context. As a part of the generation of good practice guidelines for HRS Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) methodologies were analyzed and applied to case studies representing example configurations of HRS. It has been anticipated that Negligible Extent (NE) classifications might be applicable for sections of the HRS for instance a hydrogen generator. A NE zone requires that an ignition of a flammable cloud would result in negligible consequences. In addition depending on the pressure of the system IEC 60079-10-1:2020 establishes specific requirements in order to classify the hazardous area as being of NE. One such requirement is that a zone of NE shall not be applied for releases from flammable gas systems at pressures above 2000 kPag (20 barg) unless a specific detailed risk assessment is documented. However there is no definition within the standard as to the requirements of the specific detailed risk assessment. In this work an example for a specific detailed risk assessment for the NE classification is presented:<br/>• Firstly the requirements of cloud volume dilution and background concentration for a zone of NE classification from IEC 60079-10-1:2020 are analyzed for hydrogen releases from equipment placed in a mechanically ventilated enclosure.<br/>• Secondly the consequences arising from the ignition of the localized cloud are estimated and compared to acceptable harm criteria in order to assess if negligible consequences are obtained from the scenario.<br/>• In addition a specific qualitative risk assessment for the ignition of the cloud in the enclosure was considered incorporating the estimated consequences and analyzing the available safeguards in the example system.<br/>Recommendations for the specific detailed risk assessment are proposed for this scenario with the intention to support improved definition of the requirement in future revisions of IEC 60079-10-1.
Hydrogen Sampling Systems Adapted to Heavy-duty Refuelling Stations' Current and Future Specifications - A Review
Sep 2024
Publication
To meet the new regulation for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure which sets targets for electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure by 2025 or 2030 a large infrastructure comprising trucksuitable hydrogen refuelling stations will soon be required. However further standardisation is required to support the uptake of hydrogen for heavy-duty transport for Europe’s green energy future. Hydrogen-powered vehicles require pure hydrogen as some contaminants can reduce the performance of the fuel cell even at very low levels. Even if previous projects have paved the way for the development of the European quality infrastructure for hydrogen conformity assessment sampling systems and methods have yet to be developed for heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling stations (HD-HRS). This study reviews different aspects of the sampling of hydrogen at heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling stations for purity assessment with a focus on the current and future specifications and operations at HD-HRS. This study describes the state-of-the art of sampling systems currently under development for use at HD-HRS and highlights a number of aspects which must be taken into consideration to ensure safe and accurate sampling: risk assessment for the whole sampling exercise selection of cylinders methods to prepare cylinders before the sampling filling pressure and venting of the sampling systems.
Novel Model Reference-based Hybrid Decoupling Control of Multiport-isolated DC-DC Converter for Hydrogen Energy Storage System Integration
Dec 2024
Publication
Hydrogen energy storage systems (HESS) are increasingly recognised for their role in sustainable energy ap plications though their performance depends on efficient power electronic converter (PEC) interfaces. In this paper a multiport-isolated DC-DC converter characterised by enhanced power density reduced component count and minimal conversion stages is implemented for HESS applications. However the high-frequency multiwinding transformer in this converter introduces cross-coupling effects complicating control and result ing in large power deviations from nominal values due to step changes on other ports which adversely impact system performance. To address this issue a novel model reference-based decoupling control technique is pro posed to minimise the error between the actual plant output and an ideal decoupling reference model which represents the cross-coupling term. This model reference-based decoupling control is further extended into a hybrid decoupling control technique by integrating a decoupling matrix achieving more robust decoupling across a wider operating region. The hybrid decoupling technique mathematically ensures an improved control performance with the cross-coupling term minimised through a proportional-derivative controller. The proposed hybrid decoupling controller achieves a maximum power deviation.
Simulations of Blast Wave and Fireball Occurring due to Rupture oj High-Pressure Hydrogen Tank
Jun 2017
Publication
In the present study pilot simulations of the phenomena of blast wave and fireball generated by the rupture of a high-pressure (35 MPa) hydrogen tank (volume 72 L) due to fire were carried out. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model includes the realizable k-ε model for turbulence and the eddy dissipation model coupled with the one-step chemical reaction mechanism for combustion. The simulation results were compared with experimental data on a stand-alone hydrogen tank rupture in a bonfire test. The simulations provided insights into the interaction between the blast wave propagation and combustion process. The simulated blast wave decay is approximately identical to the experimental data concerning pressure at various distances. Fireball is first ignited at the ground level which is considered to be due to stagnation flow conditions. Subsequently the flame propagates toward the interface between hydrogen and air.
A Hydrogen Vision for the UK
Apr 2023
Publication
This report shows how the infrastructure that exists today can evolve from one based on the supply of fossil fuels to one providing the backbone of a clean hydrogen system. The ambitious government hydrogen targets across the UK will only be met with clarity focus and partnership. The gas networks are ready to play their part in the UK’s energy future. They have a plan know what is needed to deliver it and are taking the necessary steps to do just that.
Towards a Resilience Evaluation Framework for Hydrogen Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda
Dec 2024
Publication
Hydrogen energy is crucial for achieving net zero targets making the resilience of hydrogen supply chains (HSCs) increasingly important. Understanding current research on HSC resilience is key to enhancing it. Few studies summarise HSC resilience evaluation methods and link them to the general supply chain resilience and complex adaptive system (CAS) evaluation approaches. This study addresses this gap by systematically reviewing the literature on HSC resilience evaluations defining HSC resilience and conducting content analysis. It proposes a conceptual framework integrating technical operational and organisational perspectives. Each perspective is further subdivided based on the course of events resulting in a system-based HSC resilience evaluation frame work with three layers of analysis. By linking HSC indicators with CAS theory and supply chain performance metrics the study offers novel insights into HSC resilience evaluations identifies research gaps provides prac tical guidance for practitioners and outlines future research directions for advancing HSC resilience understanding.
Hydrogen Production from Municipal Waste and Low Grade Lignite Blend
Nov 2024
Publication
The updraft rotating bed gasifier (URBG) offers a sustainable solution for waste-to-energy conversion utilizing low-grade lignite and municipal solid waste (MSW) from metropolitan dumping sites. This study investigates the co-gasification of lignite with various MSW components demonstrating a significant enhancement in gasification efficiency due to the synergistic effects arising from their higher hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C) ratios. We find feedstock blending is key to maximizing gasification efficiency from 11% to 52% while reducing SO emissions from 739 mg/kg to 155 mg/kg. Increasing the combustion zone temperature to 1100 K resulted in a peak hydrogen yield which was 19% higher than at 800 K. However steam management is complicated as increasing it improves hydrogen fraction in produced gas but gasification efficiency is compromised. These findingsshowcase the URBG’s potential to address both energy production and waste management challenges guiding fossil-reliant regions toward a more sustainable energy future.
Design and Optimal Sizing of a Hydrogen Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) System for Addressing Residential Power Cutoffs
Jan 2025
Publication
Hydrogen (H2) offers a green medium for storing the excess from renewables production instead of dumping it thus being crucial to decarbonisation efforts. Hydrogen also offers a storage medium for the grid’s cheap electricity to be used during grid peak demand or grid power cutoffs. Funded by the Scottish Government’s Emerging Energy Technologies this paper presents the design and performance analysis of a hydrogen uninterruptible power supply (H2GEN) for Cygnas Solutions Ltd. which is intended to enable continuity of supply in the residential sector while eradicating the need for environmentally and health risky lead–acid batteries and diesel generator backup. This paper presents the design optimal sizing and analysis of two H2Gen architectures one powered by the grid alone and the other powered by both the grid and a renewable (PV) source. By developing a model of each architecture in the HOMER space and using residential location weather data the home yearly load–demand profile and the grid yearly power outages profile in the developed models the optimal sizing of each H2Gen design was realised by minimising the costs while ensuring the H2Gen meets the home power demand during grid outages To enable HOMER to optimise its selection the sizes technical specifications and costs of all the market-available H2GEN components were added in the HOMER search space. Moreover the developed models were also used in assessing the sensitivity of the simulation outputs to several changes in the modelled system design and settings. Using a residential home with frequent power outages in New Delhi India as a case study it was found that the optimal sizing of H2Gen Architecture 1 is comprised of a 2 kW electrolyser a 0.2 kg type-I tank and a 2 kW water-cooled fuel cell directly connected to the AC bus offering an operational lifetime of 14.3 years. It was also found that the optimal sizing of Architecture 2 is comprised of a 1 kV PV utilised with the same 2 kW electrolyser 0.2 kg type-I tank and 2 kW water-cooled fuel cell connected to the AC bus. While the second design was found to have a higher capital cost due to the added PV it offered a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly architecture which contributes to the ongoing energy transition. This paper further investigated the capacity expansion of each H2GEN architecture to meet higher load demands or increased grid power outages. From the analysis of the simulation results it has been concluded that the most feasible and cost-effective H2GEN system expansion for meeting increased power demands or increased grid outages can be realised by using the developed models for optimally sizing the expanded H2Gen on a case-by-case basis because the increase in these profiles is highly time-dependent (for example an increased load demand or increased grid outage in the morning can be met by the PV while in the evening it must be met by the H2GEN). Finally this paper investigated the impact of other environmental variables such as the temperature and relative humidity on the H2GEN’s performance and provided further insights into increasing the overall system efficiency and cost benefit through utilising the H2GEN’s exhaust heat in the home space for heating/cooling and selling the electrolyser exhaust’s O2 as a commodity.
Hydrogen Fuel Quality for Transport - First Sampling and Analysis Comparison in Europe on Hydrogen Refuelling Station (70 Mpa) According to ISO 14687 and EN 17124
Jan 2021
Publication
Fuel cell electric vehicles are getting deployed exponentially in Europe. Hydrogen fuel quality regulations are getting into place in order to protect customers and ensure end-users satisfactory experiences. It became critical to have the capability to sample and analyse accurately hydrogen fuel delivered by hydrogen refuelling stations in Europe. This study presents two separate comparisons: the first bilateral comparison between two sampling systems (H2 Qualitizer) and (“H2 Sampling System” of Air Liquide) and the interlaboratory comparison between NPL and Air Liquide on hydrogen fuel quality testing according to EN 17124. The two sampling systems showed equivalent results for all contaminants for sampling at 70 MPa hydrogen refuelling stations. The two laboratories showed good agreement at 95% confidence level. Even if the study is limited due to the low number of samples it demonstrates the equivalence of two sampling strategies and the ability of two laboratories to perform accurate measurement of hydrogen fuel quality.
CFD Model of Refuelling through the Entire Equipment of a Hydrogen Refuelling Station
Dec 2023
Publication
This paper aims at the development and validation of a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model for simulations of the refuelling process through the entire equipment of the hydrogen refuelling station (HRS). The absence of such models hinders the design of inherently safer refuelling protocols for an arbitrary combination of HRS equipment hydrogen storage parameters and environmental conditions. The CFD model is validated against the complete process of refuelling lasting 195s in Test No.1 performed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The test equipment includes high-pressure tanks of HRS pressure control valve (PCV) valves pipes breakaway hose and nozzle all the way up to three onboard tanks. The model accurately reproduced hydrogen temperature and pressure through the entire line of HRS equipment. A standout feature of the CFD model distinguishing it from simplified models is the capability to predict temperature non-uniformity in onboard tanks a crucial factor with significant safety implications.
European Hydrogen Train the Trainer Programme for Responders: The Impact of HyResponder on Training Across Europe
Jan 2025
Publication
Síle Brennan,
Christian Brauner,
Dennis Davis,
Natalie DeBacker,
Alexander Dyck,
César García Hernández,
André Vagner Gaathaug,
Petr Kupka,
Laurence Grand-Clement,
Etienne Havret,
Deborah Houssin-Agbomson,
Laurent Lecomte,
Eric Maranne,
Pippa Steele,
Paola Russo,
Adolfo Pinilla,
Gerhard Schoepf,
Tom Van Esbroeck and
Vladimir V. Molkov
The impact of the HyResponder project on the training of responders in 10 European countries is described. An overview is presented of training activities undertaken within the project in Austria Belgium Czech Republic France Germany Italy Norway Spain Switzerland and the United Kingdom. National leads with training expertise are given and the longer-term plans in each region are mentioned. Responders from each region took part in a specially tailored “train the trainer” programme and then delivered training within their regions. A flexible approach to training within the HyResponder network has enabled fit for purpose region appropriate activities to be delivered impacting over 1250 individuals during the project and many more beyond. Teaching and learning materials in hydrogen safety for responders have been made available in 8 languages: English Czech Dutch French German Italian Norwegian Spanish. They are being used to inform training within each of the partner countries. Dedicated national working groups focused on hydrogen safety training for responders have been established in Belgium the Czech Republic Italy and Switzerland.
Green Hydrogen Production by Water Electrolysis: Current Status and Challenges
Apr 2024
Publication
The scientific and industrial communities worldwide have recently achieved impressive technical advances in developing innovative electrocatalysts and electrolysers for water and seawater splitting. The viability of water electrolysis for commercial applications however remains elusive and the key barriers are durability cost performance materials manufacturing and system simplicity especially with regard to running on practical water sources like seawater. This paper therefore primarily aims to provide a concise overview of the most recent disruptive water-splitting technologies and materials that could reshape the future of green hydrogen production. Starting from water electrolysis fundamentals the recent advances in developing durable and efficient electrocatalysts for modern types of electrolysers such as decoupled electrolysers seawater electrolysers and unconventional hybrid electrolysers have been represented and precisely annotated in this report. Outlining the most recent advances in water and seawater splitting the paper can help as a quick guide in identifying the gap in knowledge for modern water electrolysers while pointing out recent solutions for cost-effective and efficient hydrogen production to meet zero-carbon targets in the short to near term.
PyPSA-Earth Sector-coupled: A Global Open-source Multi-energy System Model Showcased for Hydrogen Applications in Countries of the Global South
Jan 2025
Publication
This study presents sector-coupled PyPSA-Earth: a novel global open-source energy system optimization model that incorporates major demand sectors and energy carriers in high spatial and temporal resolution to enable energy transition studies worldwide. The model includes a workflow that automatically downloads and processes the necessary demand supply and transmission data to co-optimize investment and operation of energy systems of countries or regions of Earth. The workflow provides the user with tools to forecast future demand scenarios and allows for custom user-defined data in several aspects. Sector-coupled PyPSA-Earth introduces novelty by offering users a comprehensive methodology to generate readily available sector-coupled data and model of any region worldwide starting from raw and open data sources. The model provides flexibility in terms of spatial and temporal detail allowing the user to tailor it to their specific needs. The capabilities of the model are demonstrated through two showcases for Egypt and Brazil. The Egypt case quantifies the relevant role of PV exceeding 35 GW and electrolysis in Suez and Damietta regions for meeting 16% of the EU hydrogen demand. Complementarily the Brazil case confirms the model’s ability in handling hydrogen planning infrastructure including repurposing of existing gas networks which results in 146 M€ lower costs than building new pipelines. The results prove the suitability of sector-coupled PyPSA-Earth to meet the needs of policymakers developers and scholars in advancing the energy transition. The authors invite the interested individuals and institutions to collaborate in the future developments of the model within PyPSA meets Earth initiative.
Modelling the Innovation-decision Process for Hydrogen Homes: An Integrated Model of Consumer Acceptance and Adoption Intention
Nov 2024
Publication
As the global energy transition progresses a range of drivers and barriers will continue to shape consumer attitudes and behavioural intentions towards emerging low-carbon technologies. The innovation-decision process for technologies composing the residential sector such as hydrogen-fuelled heating and cooking appliances is inherently governed by the complex interplay between perceptual cognitive and emotional factors. In response this study responds to the call for an integrated research perspective to advance theoretical and empirical insights on consumer engagement in the domestic hydrogen transition. Drawing on online survey data collected in the United Kingdom where a policy decision on ‘hydrogen homes’ is set for 2026 this study systematically explores whether an integrated modelling approach supports higher levels of explanatory and predictive power. Leveraging the foundations of the unified theory of domestic hydrogen acceptance the analysis suggests that production perceptions public trust perceived relative advantage safety perceptions knowledge and awareness and positive emotions will shape consumer support for hydrogen homes. Conversely perceived disruptive impacts perceived socio-economic costs financial perceptions and negative emotions may impede the domestic hydrogen transition. Consumer acceptance stands to significantly shape deployment prospects for hydrogen boilers and hobs which are perceived to be somewhat advantageous to natural gas appliances from a technological and safety perspective. The study attests to the predictive benefits of adopting an integrated theoretical perspective when modelling the early stages of the innovation-decision process while acknowledging opportunities for leveraging innovative research approaches in the future. As national hydrogen economies gain traction adopting a neuroscience-based approach may help deepen scientific understanding regarding the neural psychological and emotional signatures shaping consumer perspectives towards hydrogen homes.
A Multi-model Assessment of the Global Warming Potential of Hydrogen
Jun 2023
Publication
With increasing global interest in molecular hydrogen to replace fossil fuels more attention is being paid to potential leakages of hydrogen into the atmosphere and its environmental consequences. Hydrogen is not directly a greenhouse gas but its chemical reactions change the abundances of the greenhouse gases methane ozone and stratospheric water vapor as well as aerosols. Here we use a model ensemble of five global atmospheric chemistry models to estimate the 100-year time-horizon Global Warming Potential (GWP100) of hydrogen. We estimate a hydrogen GWP100 of 11.6 ± 2.8 (one standard deviation). The uncertainty range covers soil uptake photochemical production of hydrogen the lifetimes of hydrogen and methane and the hydroxyl radical feedback on methane and hydrogen. The hydrogeninduced changes are robust across the different models. It will be important to keep hydrogen leakages at a minimum to accomplish the benefits of switching to a hydrogen economy.
Advances in Hydrogen Storage Technologies
Jan 2025
Publication
Gaseous hydrogen storage is the most mature technology for fuel cell vehicles. The main safety concern is the catastrophic consequences of tank rupture in a fire i.e. blast waves fireballs and projectiles. This paper sum marises research on the development and validation of the breakthrough microleaks-no-burst (μLNB) safety technology of explosion-free in any fire self-venting Type IV tanks that do not require a thermally-activate pressure relief device (TPRD). The invention implies the melting of the hydrogen-tight liner of the Type IV tank before the hydrogen-leaky double-composite wall loses load-bearing ability. Hydrogen then flows through the natural microchannels in the composites and burns in microflames or together with resin. The unattainable to competitive products feature of the technology is the ability to withstand any fire from smouldering to extreme impinging hydrogen jet fires. Innovative 70 MPa tanks made of carbon-carbon carbon-glass and carbon-basalt composites were tested in characteristic for gasoline/diesel spill fires with a specific heat release rate of HRR/A = 1 MW/m2 . Standard unprotected Type III and IV tanks will explode in such intensity fire. The technology excludes hydrogen accumulation in naturally ventilated enclosures. It reduces the risk of hydrogen vehicles to an acceptable level below that of fossil fuel cars including underground parking tunnels etc. The performance of self-venting tanks is studied for fire intervention scenarios: removal from fire and fire extinction by water. It is concluded that novel tanks allow standard fire intervention strategies and tactics. Self-venting operation of the 70 MPa tank is demonstrated in extreme jet fire conditions under impinging hydrogen jet fire (70 MPa) with huge HRR/A = 19.5 MW/m2 . This technology excludes tank rupture in fires onboard trains ships and planes where hazard distances cannot be implemented i.e. provides an unprecedented level of life safety and property protection.
Electric-thermal Collaborative System and Control for Hydrogen-fuel Cell Passenger Trains in the UK's Winter
Feb 2025
Publication
This paper presents a quantitative study on electric-thermal collaborative system for hydrogen-powered train reutilising the waste heat from fuel cell system for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Firstly a hybrid train simulator is developed to simulate the train’s motion state. Heat generation from fuel cell is estimated using a fuel cell model while a detailed thermodynamic model for railway passenger coach is established to predict the heat demand. Furthermore an electric-thermal collaborative energy management strategy (ETCEMS) is proposed for the system to comprehensively optimise the on-train power distribution considering traction and auxiliary power. Finally comparative analysis is performed among the train with electric heater (EH) heat pump (HP) and heat pump-heat reuse (HP-HR). The results demonstrate that over a round trip the proposed HP-HR with ETC-EMS recovers over 22.88% residual heat and saves 16.17% of hydrogen consumption. For the daily operation it reduces hydrogen and energy consumption by 12.06% and 12.82 % respectively. The findings indicate that collaborative optimisation brings significant improvements on the global energy utilisation. The proposed design with ETC-EMS is potential to further enhance the economic viability of hydrail and contributes to the rail decarbonisation.
Performance and Emissions Characteristics of Hydrogen-diesel Dual-fuel Combustion for Heavy-duty Engines
Jan 2025
Publication
This study investigates hydrogen-diesel dual-fuelling specifically for a modern 4.4L 4-cylinder heavy-duty diesel engine using extensive one-dimensional combustion modelling in Ricardo WAVE. Parametric analyses from 900 to 2200 rpm speeds and 0 to 17.5% hydrogen fractions introduced via port injection are undertaken to assess the effect of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for controlling NOx. Moreover impacts on key indicators like brake power torque thermal efficiency and emissions are also evaluated. Results revealed that the benefits of hydrogen enrichment are highly dependent on operating conditions. At speeds above 1700 rpm and hydrogen mass fraction of 17.5% remarkable gains were attained increasing brake power and torque by up to 17% and 16.5% respectively. Brake-specific diesel consumption (BSDC) improves by 29% at higher speeds due to hy drogen’s larger energy content. NOx emissions display a trade-off decreasing substantially by 96% at lower speeds but increasing by 43% at 2200 rpm with 17.5% hydrogen.
Sudden Releases of Hydrogen into a Tunnel
Sep 2023
Publication
This paper presents work undertaken by the HSE as part of the Hytunnel-CS project a consortium investigating safety considerations for fuel cell hydrogen (FCH) vehicles in tunnels and similar confined spaces. The sudden failure of a pressurised hydrogen vessel was identified as a scenario of concern due to the severity of the consequences associated with such an event. In order to investigate this scenario experimentally HSE designed a bespoke and reusable ‘sudden release’ vessel. This paper presents an overview of the vessel and the results of a series of 13 tests whereby hydrogen was released from the bespoke vessel into a tunnel at pressures up to 65 MPa. The starting pressure and the volume of hydrogen in the vessel were altered throughout the campaign. Four of the tests also included congestion in the tunnel. The tests reliably autoignited. Overpressure measurements and flame arrival times measured with exposed-tip thermocouples enabled analysis of the severity of the events. A high-pressure fast-acting pressure transducer in the body of the vessel showed the pressure decay in the vessel which shows that 90% of the hydrogen was evacuated in between 1.8 and 3.2 ms (depending on the hydrogen inventory). Schlieren flow imagery was also used at the release point of the hydrogen showing the progression of the shock front following initiation of the tests. An assessment of the footage shows an estimated initial velocity of Mach 3.9 at 0.4 m from the release point. Based on this an ignition mechanism is proposed based upon the temperature behind the initial shock front.
Assessing the Potential of Decarbonization Options for Industrial Sectors
Jan 2024
Publication
Industry emits around a quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper presents the first comprehensive review to identify the main decarbonization options for this sector and their abatement potentials. First we identify the important GHG emitting processes and establish a global average baseline for their current emissions intensity and energy use. We then quantify the energy and emissions reduction potential of the most significant abatement options as well as their technology readiness level (TRL). We find that energy-intensive industries have a range of decarbonization technologies available with medium to high TRLs and mature options also exist for decarbonizing low-temperature heat across a wide range of industrial sectors. However electrification and novel process change options to reduce emissions from high-temperature and sector-specific processes have much lower TRLs in comparison. We conclude by highlighting important barriers to the deployment of industrial decarbonization options and identifying future research development and demonstration needs.
Clean Hydrogen Roadmap: Is Greater Realism Leading to more Credible Paths Forward?
Sep 2023
Publication
"The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies started researching the role of hydrogen in the energy transition in 2020. Since then the interest in hydrogen has continued to grow globally across the energy industry. A key research question has been the extent to which clean hydrogen can be scaled up at reasonable cost and whether it can play a significant role in the global energy system. In April 2022 OIES launched a new Hydrogen Research Programme under the overarching theme of ’building business cases for a hydrogen economy’. This overarching theme was selected based on the observation that most clean hydrogen developments to date had been relatively small-scale pilot or demonstration projects typically funded by government grants or subsidies. For clean hydrogen to play a significant role there will need to be business cases developed in order to attract the many hundreds of billions of dollars of investment required most of which will need to come from the private sector albeit ultimately underpinned by government-backed decarbonisation policies. Just over a year has passed since the start of the Hydrogen Research Programme and the intention of this paper is to pull together key themes which have emerged from the research so far and which can form a useful framework for further research both by OIES and others.<br/>The six key themes in this paper listed below are intended to create a framework to at least start to address the challenges:<br/>Hydrogen is in competition with other decarbonisation alternatives.<br/>The business case for clean hydrogen relies on government policy to drive decarbonisation.<br/>It is essential to understand emissions associated with potential hydrogen investments.<br/>Hydrogen investments need to consider the full value chain and its geopolitics.<br/>Transport of hydrogen is expensive and so should be minimised.<br/>Storage of hydrogen is an essential part of the value chain and requires more focus.
Look-ahead Scheduling of Energy-Water Nexus Integrated with Power2X Conversion Technologies under Multiple Uncertainties
Aug 2023
Publication
Co-optimizing energy and water resources in a microgrid can increase efficiency and improve economic performance. Energy-water storage (EWS) devices are crucial components of a high-efficient energy-water microgrid (EWMG). The state of charge (SoC) at the end of the first day of operation is one of the most significant variables in EWS devices since it is used as a parameter to indicate the starting SoC for the second day which influences the operating cost for the second day. Hence this paper examines the benefits and applicability of a lookahead optimization strategy for an EWMG integrated with multi-type energy conversion technologies and multienergy demand response to supply various energy-water demands related to electric/hydrogen vehicles and commercial/residential buildings with the lowest cost for two consecutive days. In addition a hybrid info-gap/robust optimization technique is applied to cover uncertainties in photovoltaic power and electricity prices as a tri-level optimization framework without generating scenarios and using the probability distribution functions. Duality theory is also used to convert the problem into a single-level MILP so that it can be solved by CPLEX. According to the findings the implemented energy-water storage systems and look-ahead strategy accounted for respectively 4.03% and 0.43% reduction in the total cost.
Hydrogen, A Less Disruptive Pathway for Domestic Heat? Exploratory Findings from Public Perception Research
Aug 2023
Publication
The disruption associated with heat decarbonisation has been identified as a key opportunity for hydrogen technologies in temperate countries and regions where established distribution infrastructure and familiarity with natural gas boilers predominate. A key element of such claims is the empirically untested belief that citizens will prefer to minimise disruption and perceive hydrogen to be less disruptive than the network upgrades and retrofit measures needed to support electric and other low carbon heating technologies. This article reports on exploratory deliberative research with residents of Cardiff Wales which examined public perceptions of heating disruptions. Our findings suggest that concerns over public responses to disruption may be overstated particularly as they relate to construction and road excavation for network upgrade. Disruptions arising from permanent changes to building fabric may be more problematic for heat pump retrofit however these may be greatly overshadowed by anxieties over the cost implications of moving to hydrogen fuel. Furthermore the biographical patterning of citizen preferences raises significant questions for hydrogen roll-out strategies relying on regionalised network conversion. We conclude by arguing that far from a non-disruptive alternative to electrification hydrogen risks being seen as posing substantial disruptions to precarious household finances and lifestyles.
A Comparative Analysis of Different Hydrogen Production Methods and Their Environmental Impact
Nov 2023
Publication
This study emphasises the growing relevance of hydrogen as a green energy source in meeting the growing need for sustainable energy solutions. It foregrounds the importance of assessing the environmental consequences of hydrogen-generating processes for their long-term viability. The article compares several hydrogen production processes in terms of scalability costeffectiveness and technical improvements. It also investigates the environmental effects of each approach considering crucial elements such as greenhouse gas emissions water use land needs and waste creation. Different industrial techniques have distinct environmental consequences. While steam methane reforming is cost-effective and has a high production capacity it is coupled with large carbon emissions. Electrolysis a technology that uses renewable resources is appealing but requires a lot of energy. Thermochemical and biomass gasification processes show promise for long-term hydrogen generation but further technological advancement is required. The research investigates techniques for improving the environmental friendliness of hydrogen generation through the use of renewable energy sources. Its ultimate purpose is to offer readers a thorough awareness of the environmental effects of various hydrogen generation strategies allowing them to make educated judgements about ecologically friendly ways. It can ease the transition to a cleaner hydrogen-powered economy by considering both technological feasibility and environmental issues enabling a more ecologically conscious and climate-friendly energy landscape.
Life Cycle Analysis of Hydrogen Powered Marine Vessels—Case Ship Comparison Study with Conventional Power System
Aug 2023
Publication
The latest International Maritime Organization strategies aim to reduce 70% of the CO2 emissions and 50% of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from maritime activities by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. The EU has set up goals to reduce GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 and achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. The UK aims to achieve more than 68% GHG emission reduction by 2030 and net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. There are many solutions under development to tackle the challenge of meeting the latest decarbonization strategies from the IMO EU and UK among which are hydrogen powered marine vessels. This paper presents a life cycle analysis study for hydrogen fuelled vessels by evaluating their performance in terms of environmental friendliness and economic feasibility. The LCA study will consider the gas emissions and costs during the life stages of the ships including the construction operation maintenance and recycling phases of the selected vessels. The results of the comparisons with the conventional version of the ships (driven by diesel generators) demonstrate the benefits of using hydrogen for marine transportation: over 80% emission reduction and around 60% life cycle cost savings. A sensitivity analysis shows that the prices of fuels and carbon credits can affect the life cycle cost and recommendations for low H2 price and high carbon credit in the future are provided to attract the industry to adopt the new fuel.
A Review of Control Strategies for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells and Water Electrolysers: From Automation to Autonomy
Jul 2024
Publication
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) based electrochemical systems have the capability to operate in fuel cell (PEMFC) and water electrolyser (PEMWE) modes enabling efficient hydrogen energy utilisation and green hydrogen production. In addition to the essential cell stacks the system of PEMFC or PEMWE consists of four sub-systems for managing gas supply power thermal and water respectively. Due to the system’s complexity even a small fluctuation in a certain sub-system can result in an unexpected response leading to a reduced performance and stability. To improve the system’s robustness and responsiveness considerable efforts have been dedicated to developing advanced control strategies. This paper comprehensively reviews various control strategies proposed in literature revealing that traditional control methods are widely employed in PEMFC and PEMWE due to their simplicity yet they suffer from limitations in accuracy. Conversely advanced control methods offer high accuracy but are hindered by poor dynamic performance. This paper highlights the recent advancements in control strategies incorporating machine learning algorithms. Additionally the paper provides a perspective on the future development of control strategies suggesting that hybrid control methods should be used for future research to leverage the strength of both sides. Notably it emphasises the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing control strategies demonstrating its significant potential in facilitating the transition from automation to autonomy.
A COMSOL Framework for Predicting Hydrogen Embrittlement - Part 1: Coupled Hydrogen Transport
Mar 2025
Publication
Hydrogen threatens the structural integrity of metals and thus predicting hydrogen-material interactions is key to unlocking the role of hydrogen in the energy transition. Quantifying the interplay between material deformation and hydrogen diffusion ahead of cracks and other stress concentrators is key to the prediction and prevention of hydrogen-assisted failures. In this work a generalised theoretical and computational framework is presented that for the first time encompasses: (i) stress-assisted diffusion (ii) hydrogen trapping due to multiple trap types rigorously accounting for the rate of creation of dislocation trap sites (iii) hydrogen transport through dislocations (iv) equilibrium (Oriani) and non-equilibrium (McNabb-Foster) trapping kinetics (v) hydrogen-induced softening and (vi) hydrogen uptake considering the role of hydrostatic stresses and local electrochemistry. Particular emphasis is placed on the numerical implementation in COMSOL Multiphysics releasing the relevant models and discussing stability discretisation and solver details. Each of the elements of the framework is independently benchmarked against results from the literature and implications for the prediction of hydrogen-assisted fractures are discussed. The second part of this work (Part II) shows how these crack tip predictions can be combined with crack growth simulations.
Flame Acceleration, Detonation Limit and Heat Loss for Hydrogen-Oxygen Mixture at Cryogenic Temperature of 77 K
Sep 2023
Publication
Experiments are performed in hydrogen-oxygen mixtures at the cryogenic temperature of 77 K with the equivalence ratio of 1.5 and 2.0. The optical fibers pressure sensors and the smoked foils are used to record the flame velocity overpressure evolution curve and detonation cells respectively. The 1st and 2nd shock waves are captured and they finally merge to form a stronger precursor shock wave prior to the onset of detonation. The cryogenic temperature will cause the larger expansion ratio which results in the occurrence of strong flame acceleration. The stuttering mode the galloping mode and the deflagration mode are observed when the initial pressure decreases from 0.50 atm to 0.20 atm with the equivalence ratio of 1.5 and the detonation limit is within 0.25-0.30 atm. The heat loss effect on the detonation limit is analysed. In addition the regularity of detonation cell is investigated and the larger post-shock specific heat ratio !"" and the lower normalized activation energy # at lower initial pressure will cause the more regular detonation cell. Also the detonation cell width is predicted by a model of = ($) ⋅ Δ# and the prediction results are mainly consistent with the experimental results.
The UK Hydrogen Innovation Opportunity: Techno-economic Methodology
Apr 2024
Publication
This report outlines the methods and assumptions used in the hydrogen technology market analysis. The results of the analysis are presented in The UK Hydrogen Innovation Opportunity and the supporting report Hydrogen technology roadmaps. They include forecasts for the following market data:
○ Global hydrogen economy The overall size of the global hydrogen economy in 2023 2030 and 2050.
○ Global and UK hydrogen technology market by technology family
This is the proportion of the total future hydrogen economy attributable to hydrogen-related technologies in 2023 2030 and 2050. The hydrogen economy is defined as the ‘end-to-end’ value created from hydrogen production storage & distribution and use. This includes the direct economic value associated with production and distribution of hydrogen as a fuel or chemical feedstock hydrogen infrastructure technologies products services and the indirect economic value created through products and services that indirectly support the use of hydrogen in industry transport power generation and heating. This endto-end definition of the hydrogen economy is represented in Figure 1 overleaf.
This report can also be downloaded for free on the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative website.
○ Global hydrogen economy The overall size of the global hydrogen economy in 2023 2030 and 2050.
○ Global and UK hydrogen technology market by technology family
This is the proportion of the total future hydrogen economy attributable to hydrogen-related technologies in 2023 2030 and 2050. The hydrogen economy is defined as the ‘end-to-end’ value created from hydrogen production storage & distribution and use. This includes the direct economic value associated with production and distribution of hydrogen as a fuel or chemical feedstock hydrogen infrastructure technologies products services and the indirect economic value created through products and services that indirectly support the use of hydrogen in industry transport power generation and heating. This endto-end definition of the hydrogen economy is represented in Figure 1 overleaf.
This report can also be downloaded for free on the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative website.
Enabling Safe and Sustainable Hydrogen Mobility: Circular Economy-Driven Management of Hydrogen Vehicle Safety
Sep 2023
Publication
Hydrogen vehicles encompassing fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are pivotal within the UK’s energy landscape as it pursues the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. By markedly diminishing dependence on fossil fuels FCEVs including hydrogen vehicles wield substantial influence in shaping the circular economy (CE). Their impact extends to optimizing resource utilization enabling zero-emission mobility facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources supplying adaptable energy storage solutions and interconnecting diverse sectors. The widespread adoption of hydrogen vehicles accelerates the UK’s transformative journey towards a sustainable CE. However to fully harness the benefits of this transition a robust investigation and implementation of safety measures concerning hydrogen vehicle (HV) use are indispensable. Therefore this study takes a holistic approach integrating quantitative risk assessment (QRA) and an adaptive decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) framework as pragmatic instruments. These methodologies ensure both the secure deployment and operational excellence of HVs. The findings underscore that the root causes of HV failures encompass extreme environments material defects fuel cell damage delivery system impairment and storage system deterioration. Furthermore critical driving factors for effective safety intervention revolve around cultivating a safety culture robust education/training and sound maintenance scheduling. Addressing these factors is pivotal for creating an environment conducive to mitigating safety and risk concerns. Given the intricacies of conducting comprehensive hydrogen QRAs due to the absence of specific reliability data this study dedicates attention to rectifying this gap. A sensitivity analysis encompassing a range of values is meticulously conducted to affirm the strength and reliability of our approach. This robust analysis yields precise dependable outcomes. Consequently decision-makers are equipped to discern pivotal underlying factors precipitating potential HV failures. With this discernment they can tailor safety interventions that lay the groundwork for sustainable resilient and secure HV operations. Our study navigates the intersection of HVs safety and sustainability amplifying their importance within the CE paradigm. Using the careful amalgamation of QRA and DEMATEL methodologies we chart a course towards empowering decision-makers with the insights to steer the hydrogen vehicle domain to safer horizons while ushering in an era of transformative eco-conscious mobility.
Particle Swarm Optimisation for a Hybrid Freight Train Powered by Hydrogen or Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
May 2024
Publication
All diesel-only trains in the UK will be phased out by 2040. Hydrogen and ammonia emerge as alternative zerocarbon fuel for greener railway. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) provide an alternative prime mover option which efficiently convert zero-carbon fuels into electricity without emitting nitrogen oxides (NOx) unlike traditional engines. Superior to Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) in efficiency SOFCs fulfil MW-scale power needs and can use ammonia directly. This study investigates innovative strategies for integrating SOFCs into hybrid rail powertrains using hydrogen or ammonia. Utilizing an optimization framework incorporating Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) the study aims to minimize operational costs while considering capital and replacement expenditures powertrain performance and component sizing. The findings suggest that hybrid powertrains based on ammonia-fueled SOFCs may potentially reduce costs by 30% compared to their hydrogen counterparts albeit requiring additional space for engine compartments. Ammonia-fueled SOFCs trains also exhibit a 5% higher efficiency at End-of-Life (EoL) showing less performance degradation than those powered by hydrogen. The State of Charge (SoC) of the batteries in range of 30–70% for both cases is identified as most costeffective.
From Waste to Energy: Enhancing Fuel and Hydrogen Production through Pyrolysis and In-Line Reforming of Plastic Wastes
Jun 2024
Publication
Plastics have become integral to modern life playing crucial roles in diverse industries such as agriculture electronics automotive packaging and construction. However their excessive use and inadequate management have had adverse environmental impacts posing threats to terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Consequently researchers are increasingly searching for more sustainable ways of managing plastic wastes. Pyrolysis a chemical recycling method holds promise for producing valuable fuel sustainably. This study explores the process of the pyrolysis of plastic and incorporates recent advancements. Additionally the study investigates the integration of reforming into the pyrolysis process to improve hydrogen production. Hydrogen a clean and eco-friendly fuel holds significance in transport engines power generation fuel cells and as a major commodity chemical. Key process parameters influencing the final products for pyrolysis and in-line reforming are evaluated. In light of fossil fuel depletion and climate change the pyrolysis and in-line reforming strategy for hydrogen production is anticipated to gain prominence in the future. Amongst the various strategies studied the pyrolysis and in-line steam reforming process is identified as the most effective method for optimising hydrogen production from plastic wastes.
Optimizing Underground Hydrogen Storage in Aquifers: The Impact of Cushion Gas Type
Aug 2023
Publication
This study investigated the impact of cushion gas type and presence on the performance of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in an offshore North Sea aquifer. Using numerical simulation the relationship between cushion gas type and UHS performance was comprehensively evaluated providing valuable insights for designing an efficient UHS project delivery. Results indicated that cushion gas type can significantly impact the process's recovery efficiency and hydrogen purity. CO2 was found to have the highest storage capacity while lighter gases like N2 and CH4 exhibited better recovery efficiency. Utilising CH4 as a cushion gas can lead to a higher recovery efficiency of 80%. It was also determined that utilising either of these cushion gases was always more beneficial than hydrogen storage alone leading to an incremental hydrogen recovery up to 7%. Additionally hydrogen purity degraded as each cycle progressed but improved over time. This study contributes to a better understanding of factors affecting UHS performance and can inform the selection of cushion gas type and optimal operational strategies.
Optimizing the Operational Efficiency of the Underground Hydrogen Storage Scheme in a Deep North Sea Aquifer through Compositional Simulations
Aug 2023
Publication
In this study we evaluate the technical viability of storing hydrogen in a deep UKCS aquifer formation through a series of numerical simulations utilising the compositional simulator CMG-GEM. Effects of various operational parameters such as injection and production rates number and length of storage cycles and shut-in periods on the performance of the underground hydrogen storage (UHS) process are investigated in this study. Results indicate that higher H2 operational rates degrade both the aquifer's working capacity and H2 recovery during the withdrawal phase. This can be attributed to the dominant viscous forces at higher rates which lead to H2 viscous fingering and gas gravity override of the native aquifer water resulting in an unstable displacement of water by the H2 gas. Furthermore analysis of simulation results shows that longer and less frequent storage cycles lead to higher storage capacity and decreased H2 retrieval. We conclude that UHS in the studied aquifer is technically feasible however a thorough evaluation of the operational parameters is necessary to optimise both storage capacity and H2 recovery efficiency.
Spillovers Between Hydrogen, Nuclear and AI Sectors: The Impact of Climate Policy Uncertainty and Geopolitical Risks
Mar 2025
Publication
This study investigates the spillover effects between hydrogen energy nuclear energy and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors in the context of the global clean energy transition with a particular focus on the impact of climate policy uncertainty (CPU) and geopolitical risks (GPR). Employing the TVP-VAR extended joint connectedness approach the findings show a high connectedness that indicates significant spillovers among these sectors. Hydrogen energy emerges as a dominant transmitter of shocks reflecting its sensitivity to regulatory changes and fluctuating demand. However nuclear energy acts as a stabilising force that offers hedging opportunities and resilience against market turbulence. The AI sector exhibits strong connectedness primarily as a net receiver of shocks driven by its dependency on clean energy sources and vulnerability to energy market volatility. Using the GARCHMIDAS framework the study identifies a temporal asymmetry in market responses to CPU and GPR. CPU triggers immediate but short-lived disruptions while GPR induces delayed yet persistent effects that intensify cross-sector spillovers over time. These results underline the vulnerabilities of sectors reliant on regulatory clarity and geopolitical stability. This study provides practical insights for investors policymakers technology and energy companies to better manage systemic risks at the crossroads of clean energy technological innovation and uncertainty.
Resilience Assessment of Offshore Wind-to-Hydrogen Systems
Jul 2024
Publication
Low-cost green hydrogen production will be key in reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Green hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis using renewable energy including wind energy. However the configuration of offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems is not yet standardised. For example electrolysis can take place onshore or offshore. This work presents a framework to assess and quantify which configuration is more resilient so that security of hydrogen supply is incorporated in strategic decisions with the following key findings. First resilience should be assessed according to hydrogen supply rather than hydrogen production. This allows the framework to be applicable for all identified system configurations. Second resilience can be quantified according to the quantity ratio and lost revenue of the unsupplied hydrogen.
Multiphysics Performance Assessment of Hydrogen Fuelled Engines
Sep 2023
Publication
In the quest for decarbonisation alternative clean fuels for propulsion systems are sought. There is definite advantage in retaining the well-established principles of operation of combustion engines at the core of future developments with hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen is envisaged as a clean source of energy for propulsion of heavy and off-road vehicles as well as in marine and construction sectors. A source of concern is the unexplored effect of hydrogen combustion on dilution and degradation of engine lubricants and their additives and consequently upon tribology of engine contact conjunctions. These potential problems can adversely affect engine efficiency durability and operational integrity. Use of different fuels and their method of delivery produces distinctive combustion characteristics that can affect the energy losses associated with in-cylinder components and their durability. Therefore detailed predictive analysis should support the developments of such new generation of eco-friendly engines. Different fundamental physics underpin the various aspects of a pertinent detailed analysis. These include thermodynamics of combustion in-cylinder tribological interactions of contacting surfaces and blowby of generated gasses. This paper presents such an integrated multi-physics analysis of internal combustion engines with focus on hydrogen as the fuel. Such an in-depth and computationally efficient analysis has not hitherto been reported in the literature. The results show implications for lubricant degradation due to the use of hydrogen in the performance of in-cylinder components and the underlying physical principles.
Emission Reduction and Cost-benefit Analysis of the Use of Ammonia and Green Hydrogen as Fuel for Marine Applications
Dec 2023
Publication
Increasingly stringent emission standards have led shippers and port operators to consider alternative energy sources which can reduce emissions while minimizing capital investment. It is essential to understand whether there is a certain economic investment gap for alternative energy. The present work mainly focuses on the simulation study of ships using ammonia and hydrogen fuels arriving at Guangzhou Port to investigate the emission advantages and cost-benefit analysis of ammonia and hydrogen as alternative fuels. By collecting actual data and fuel consumption emissions of ships arriving at Guangzhou Port the present study calculated the pollutant emissions and cost of ammonia and hydrogen fuels substitution. As expected it is shown that with the increase of NH3 in fuel mixed fuels will effectively reduce CO and CO2 emissions. Compared to conventional fuel the injection of NH3 increases the NOx emission. However the cost savings of ammonia fuel for CO2 SOx and PM10 reduction are higher than that for NOx. In terms of pollutants ammonia is less expensive than conventional fuels when applied to the Guangzhou Port. However the cost of fuel supply is still higher than conventional energy as ammonia has not yet formed a complete fuel supply and storage system for ships. On the other hand hydrogen is quite expensive to store and transport resulting in higher overall costs than ammonia and conventional fuels even if no pollutants are produced. At present conventional fuels still have advantage in terms of cost. With the promotion of ammonia fuel technology and application the cost of supply will be reduced. It is predicted that by 2035 ammonia will not only have emission reduction benefits but also will have a lower overall economic cost than conventional fuels. Hydrogen energy will need longer development and technological breakthroughs due to the limitation of storage conditions.
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