United Kingdom
Living Carbon Free – Exploring What a Net-zero Target Means for Households
Jun 2019
Publication
The Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) explored the role of households in a net-zero emissions society to accompany the CCC’s Net Zero report looking at opportunities and challenges for households to reduce emissions from today’s levels and to support the stretch from an 80% emissions reduction to a net-zero greenhouse gas target. As well as describing a net-zero emissions world for households of different types the ESC looked at average household emissions under different decarbonisation scenarios and the options households can take to contribute to the decarbonisation effort.
This supported the Net Zero Technical report.
This supported the Net Zero Technical report.
Performance Evaluation of Empirical Models for Vented Lean Hydrogen Explosions
Sep 2017
Publication
Explosion venting is a method commonly used to prevent or minimize damage to an enclosure caused by an accidental explosion. An estimate of the maximum overpressure generated though explosion is an important parameter in the design of the vents. Various engineering models (Bauwens et al. 2012 Molkov and Bragin 2015) and European (EN 14994 ) and USA standards (NFPA 68) are available to predict such overpressure. In this study their performance is evaluated using a number of published experiments. Comparison of pressure predictions from various models have also been carried out for the recent experiments conducted by GexCon using a 20 feet ISO container. The results show that the model of Bauwens et al. (2012) predicts well for hydrogen concentration between 16% and 21% and in the presence of obstacles. The model of Molkov et al. (2015) is found to work well for hydrogen concentrations between 10% and 30% without obstacles. In the presence of obstacles as no guidelines are given to set the coefficient for obstacles in the model it was necessary to tune the coefficient to match the experimental data. The predictions of the formulas in NFPA 68 show a large scatter across different tests. The current version of both EN 14994 and NFPA 68 are found to have very limited range of applicability and can hardly be used for vent sizing of hydrogen-air deflagrations. Overall the accuracy of all the engineering models was found to be limited. Some recommendations concerning their applicability will be given for vented lean-hydrogen explosion concentrations of interest to practical applications.
The Pathway to Net Zero Heating in the UK: A UKERC Policy Brief
Oct 2020
Publication
There is uncertainty over how heating might practically be decarbonised in the future. This briefing provides some clarity about the possible pathways forward focusing on the next 5-10 years.<br/>Meeting the UK government’s net zero emissions goal for 2050 will only be possible by complete decarbonisation of the building stock (both existing and new). There is uncertainty over the extent to which heating might practically be decarbonised in the future and what the optimal technologies may be. This paper provides some clarity about the pathways forward focusing on the next 5-10 years.
Energy Innovation Needs Assessment: Road Transport
Nov 2019
Publication
The Energy Innovation Needs Assessment (EINA) aims to identify the key innovation needs across the UK’s energy system to inform the prioritisation of public sector investment in low-carbon innovation. Using an analytical methodology developed by the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) the EINA takes a system level approach and values innovations in a technology in terms of the system-level benefits a technology innovation provides. This whole system modelling in line with BEIS’s EINA methodology was delivered by the Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) using the Energy System Modelling Environment (ESMETM) as the primary modelling tool.
To support the overall prioritisation of innovation activity the EINA process analyses key technologies in more detail. These technologies are grouped together into sub-themes according to the primary role they fulfil in the energy system. For key technologies within a sub-theme innovations and business opportunities are identified. The main findings at the technology level are summarised in sub-theme reports. An overview report will combine the findings from each sub-theme to provide a broad system-level perspective and prioritisation.
This EINA analysis is based on a combination of desk research by a consortium of economic and engineering consultants and stakeholder engagement. The prioritisation of innovation and business opportunities presented is informed by a workshop organised for each sub-theme assembling key stakeholders from the academic community industry and government.
This report was commissioned prior to advice being received from the CCC on meeting a net zero target and reflects priorities to meet the previous 80% target in 2050. The newly legislated net zero target is not expected to change the set of innovation priorities rather it will make them all more valuable overall. Further work is required to assess detailed implications.
To support the overall prioritisation of innovation activity the EINA process analyses key technologies in more detail. These technologies are grouped together into sub-themes according to the primary role they fulfil in the energy system. For key technologies within a sub-theme innovations and business opportunities are identified. The main findings at the technology level are summarised in sub-theme reports. An overview report will combine the findings from each sub-theme to provide a broad system-level perspective and prioritisation.
This EINA analysis is based on a combination of desk research by a consortium of economic and engineering consultants and stakeholder engagement. The prioritisation of innovation and business opportunities presented is informed by a workshop organised for each sub-theme assembling key stakeholders from the academic community industry and government.
This report was commissioned prior to advice being received from the CCC on meeting a net zero target and reflects priorities to meet the previous 80% target in 2050. The newly legislated net zero target is not expected to change the set of innovation priorities rather it will make them all more valuable overall. Further work is required to assess detailed implications.
Accelerating to Net Zero with Hydrogen Blending Standards Development in the UK, Canada and the US - Part 1
Mar 2021
Publication
"Hydrogen is expected to play a critical role in the move to a net-zero economy. However large-scale deployment is still in its infancy and there is still much to be done before we can blend hydrogen in large volumes into gas networks and ramp up the production that is required to meet demands of the energy transport and industry sectors. KTN Global Alliance will host two webinars to explore these challenges and opportunities in hydrogen blending on the 2nd and 3rd March 2021.
Exciting pilot projects are being conducted and explored in the UK Canada and US states such as California to determine the technical feasibility of blending hydrogen into existing natural gas systems. Whilst the deployment of hydrogen is in its early stages there is increasing interest around permitting significant percentage blends of hydrogen into gas networks which would enable the carbon intensity of gas supplies to be reduced creating a new demand for hydrogen and with the use of separation and purification technologies downstream support the transportation of pure hydrogen to markets.
Gaps in codes and standards need to be addressed to enable adoption and there may be opportunities for international collaboration and harmonisation to ensure that best practices are shared globally and to facilitate the growth of trade and export markets. There is an opportunity for the UK Canada and US three G7 countries to work together and show market making leadership in key enabling regulation for the new hydrogen economy.
Delivered by KTN Global Alliance on behalf of the British Consulate-General in Vancouver and the UK Science and Innovation Network in Canada and the US these two webinars will showcase hydrogen blending pilot projects in the UK Canada and California highlighting challenges and opportunities with regard to standards development for hydrogen blending and supporting further transatlantic collaboration in this area. The events also form part of the UK’s international engagement to build momentum towards a successful outcome at COP26 the UN climate summit that the UK will host in Glasgow in November 2021. The webinars will bring together experts from industry academia and policy from the UK Canada and California. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and interact using Mentimeter."
Part 2 Highlights and Perspectives from Canada and California can be found here.
Exciting pilot projects are being conducted and explored in the UK Canada and US states such as California to determine the technical feasibility of blending hydrogen into existing natural gas systems. Whilst the deployment of hydrogen is in its early stages there is increasing interest around permitting significant percentage blends of hydrogen into gas networks which would enable the carbon intensity of gas supplies to be reduced creating a new demand for hydrogen and with the use of separation and purification technologies downstream support the transportation of pure hydrogen to markets.
Gaps in codes and standards need to be addressed to enable adoption and there may be opportunities for international collaboration and harmonisation to ensure that best practices are shared globally and to facilitate the growth of trade and export markets. There is an opportunity for the UK Canada and US three G7 countries to work together and show market making leadership in key enabling regulation for the new hydrogen economy.
Delivered by KTN Global Alliance on behalf of the British Consulate-General in Vancouver and the UK Science and Innovation Network in Canada and the US these two webinars will showcase hydrogen blending pilot projects in the UK Canada and California highlighting challenges and opportunities with regard to standards development for hydrogen blending and supporting further transatlantic collaboration in this area. The events also form part of the UK’s international engagement to build momentum towards a successful outcome at COP26 the UN climate summit that the UK will host in Glasgow in November 2021. The webinars will bring together experts from industry academia and policy from the UK Canada and California. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and interact using Mentimeter."
Part 2 Highlights and Perspectives from Canada and California can be found here.
Secure, Affordable, Low Carbon: Gas in our Future Energy System
Feb 2020
Publication
Our gas network is one of the best developed in the world providing safe secure affordable energy to homes and businesses across the UK.<br/><br/>To meet the biggest energy challenge of our generation – making deep cuts to carbon emissions by 2050 – it needs to embrace new technology which builds on these strengths and delivers the integrated flexible network of the future. This briefing sets out how it is already doing that. Take a look at our Gas Futures Messages booklet attached.
HyDeploy Report: Gas Characteristics (Leakage, Dispersion and Flammability)
Sep 2018
Publication
The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) has carried out an investigation into the gas characteristics that may influence the leakage dispersion and flammability hazards associated with blended natural gas-hydrogen mixtures containing up to 20 % mol/mol hydrogen. The work was carried out under contract to Cadent & Northern Gas Networks as part of the HyDeploy project which was commissioned to investigate the feasibility of using blended hydrogen-natural gas mixtures in UK mains gas distribution networks.
Under the HyDeploy project a demonstration scheme is being carried out at Keele University in which it is planned to inject up to 20 % mol/mol hydrogen. Keele is Britain’s largest campus university and an ideal test site for a demonstration scheme as its gas distribution network is largely independent of the national gas network but still subject to UK gas industry procedural controls. It is anticipated that a successful demonstration scheme will facilitate the use of blended natural gas-hydrogen mixtures throughout the UK leading to significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The project is being led by Cadent & Northern Gas Networks and also involves ITM Power Progressive Energy Keele University and HSL in consortium.
Click the supplements tab to view the other documents in this report
Under the HyDeploy project a demonstration scheme is being carried out at Keele University in which it is planned to inject up to 20 % mol/mol hydrogen. Keele is Britain’s largest campus university and an ideal test site for a demonstration scheme as its gas distribution network is largely independent of the national gas network but still subject to UK gas industry procedural controls. It is anticipated that a successful demonstration scheme will facilitate the use of blended natural gas-hydrogen mixtures throughout the UK leading to significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The project is being led by Cadent & Northern Gas Networks and also involves ITM Power Progressive Energy Keele University and HSL in consortium.
Click the supplements tab to view the other documents in this report
Sustainable Hydrogen Production: A Role for Fusion
Apr 2007
Publication
This Meeting Report summarises the findings of a two-day workshop in April 2007 at the Culham Science Centre and Worcester College Oxford which explored the potential for large-scale Hydrogen production through methods other than electrolysis.<br/>Operating at the cusp of research and policy-making the UK Energy Research Centre's mission is to be the UK's pre-eminent centre of research and source of authoritative information and leadership on sustainable energy systems. The Centre takes a whole systems approach to energy research incorporating economics engineering and the physical environmental and social sciences while developing and maintaining the means to enable cohesive research in energy. A key supporting function of UKERC is the Meeting Place based in Oxford which aims to bring together members of the UK energy community and overseas experts from different disciplines to learn identify problems develop solutions and further the energy debate.
What is Needed to Deliver Carbon-neutral Heat Using Hydrogen and CCS?
Sep 2020
Publication
In comparison with the power sector large scale decarbonisation of heat has received relatively little attention at the infrastructural scale despite its importance in the global CO2 emissions landscape. In this study we focus on the regional transition of a heating sector from natural gas-based infrastructure to H2 using mathematical optimisation. A discrete spatio-temporal description of the geographical region of Great Britain was used in addition to a detailed description of all network elements for illustrating the key factors in the design of nation-wide H2 and CO2 infrastructure. We have found that the synergistic deployment of H2 production technologies such as autothermal reforming of methane and biomass gasification with CO2 abatement technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) are critical in achieving cost-effective decarbonisation. We show that both large scale underground H2 storage and water electrolysis provide resilience and flexibility to the heating system competing on cost and deployment rates. The optimal regions for siting H2 production infrastructure are characterised by proximity to: (1) underground H2 storage (2) high demands for H2 (3) geological storage for CO2. Furthermore cost-effective transitions based on a methane reforming pathway may necessitate regional expansions in the supply of natural gas with profound implications for security of supply in nations that are already highly reliant potentially creating an infrastructure lock-in during the near term. We found that the total system cost comprising both investment and operational elements is mostly influenced by the natural gas price followed by biomass price and CapEx of underground caverns. Under a hybrid Regulated Asset Base (RAB) commercial framework with private enterprises delivering production infrastructure the total cost of heat supply over the infrastructure lifetime is estimated as 5.2–8.6 pence per kW h. Due to the higher cost relative to natural gas a Contract for Difference payment between d20 per MW h and d53 per MW h will be necessary for H2-derived heat to be competitive in the market.
Hydrogen Production from Natural Gas and Biomethane with Carbon Capture and Storage – A Techno-environmental Analysis
Mar 2020
Publication
This study presents an integrated techno-environmental assessment of hydrogen production from natural gas and biomethane combined with CO2 capture and storage (CCS). We have included steam methane reforming (SMR) and autothermal reforming (ATR) for syngas production. CO2 is captured from the syngas with a novel vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) process that combines hydrogen purification and CO2 separation in one cycle. As comparison we have included cases with conventional amine-based technology. We have extended standard attributional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) following ISO standards with a detailed carbon balance of the biogas production process (via digestion) and its by-products. The results show that the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) performance of the VPSA and amine-based CO2 capture technologies is very similar as a result of comparable energy consumption. The configuration with the highest plant-wide CO2 capture rate (almost 100% of produced CO2 captured) is autothermal reforming with a two-stage water-gas shift and VPSA CO2 capture – because the latter has an inherently high CO2 capture rate of 98% or more for the investigated syngas. Depending on the configuration the addition of CCS to natural gas reforming-based hydrogen production reduces its life-cycle Global Warming Potential by 45–85 percent while the other environmental life-cycle impacts slightly increase. This brings natural gas-based hydrogen on par with renewable electricity-based hydrogen regarding impacts on climate change. When biomethane is used instead of natural gas our study shows potential for net negative greenhouse gas emissions i.e. the net removal of CO2 over the life cycle of biowaste-based hydrogen production. In the special case where the biogas digestate is used as agricultural fertiliser and where a substantial amount of the carbon in the digestate remains in the soil the biowaste-based hydrogen reaches net-negative life cycle greenhouse gas emissions even without the application of CCS. Addition of CCS to biomethane-based hydrogen production leads to net-negative emissions in all investigated cases.
The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution: Building Back Better, Supporting Green Jobs, and Accelerating Our Path to Net Zero
Nov 2020
Publication
As the world looks to recover from the impact of coronavirus on our lives livelihoods and economies we have the chance to build back better: to invest in making the UK a global leader in green technologies.
The plan focuses on increasing ambition in the following areas:
The plan focuses on increasing ambition in the following areas:
- advancing offshore wind
- driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen
- delivering new and advanced nuclear power
- accelerating the shift to zero emission vehicles
- green public transport cycling and walking
- ‘jet zero’ and green ships
- greener buildings
- investing in carbon capture usage and storage
- protecting our natural environment
- green finance and innovation
World Energy Issues Monitor 2021: Humanising Energy
Mar 2021
Publication
Based on data collection carried out between October and December 2020 and the testing of emerging findings with the Council’s regional communities during a series of digital workshops held during February 2021 the report has shown
- Energy leaders’ perceptions of areas of risk opportunity and priorities for action have radically changed over the last 12 months. While economic turbulence stemming from the ongoing reverberations of COVID-19 is the biggest area of uncertainty with uncertainty around economic trends increasing by a third over the previous year there is also a growing focus on the social agenda associated with a faster paced energy transition.
- There is an increased awareness of the societal and human impact of both recovery and the wider energy transition. The issue of energy affordability has rapidly risen up the industry’s priority list with its impact and uncertainty perceived 20% larger than a year ago. Energy affordability affects society across all geographies ranging from city dwellers in developed countries to the rural poor in developing ones.
- The emergence of a new generation of digital energy services and energy entrepreneurs. Increasingly agile disruptive technologies have taken advantage of the social upheaval to gain market share at the expense of supply-centric energy solutions. There is a growing focus on customer-centric demand-driven solutions and fast changing patterns of global and local demand.
The Influence of Refractory Metals on the Hydrogen Storage Characteristics of FeTi-based Alloys Prepared by Suspended Droplet Alloying
Jun 2020
Publication
The influence of the addition of refractory metals (molybdenum and tantalum) on the hydrogenation properties of FeTi intermetallic phase-based alloys was investigated. The suspended droplet alloying technique was applied to fabricate FeTiTa-based and FeTiMo-based alloys. The phase composition and hydrogen storage properties of the samples were investigated. The samples modified with the refractory metals exhibited lower plateau pressures and lower hydrogen storage capacities than those of the FeTi reference sample due to solid solution formation. It was observed that the equilibrium pressures decreased with the amount of molybdenum which is in good agreement with the increase in the cell parameters of the TiFe phase. Suspended droplet alloying was found to be a practical method to fabricate alloys with refractory metal additions; however it is appropriate for screening samples with desired chemical and phase compositions rather than for manufacturing purposes.
Future Cost and Performance of Water Electrolysis: An Expert Elicitation Study
Nov 2017
Publication
The need for energy storage to balance intermittent and inflexible electricity supply with demand is driving interest in conversion of renewable electricity via electrolysis into a storable gas. But high capital cost and uncertainty regarding future cost and performance improvements are barriers to investment in water electrolysis. Expert elicitations can support decision-making when data are sparse and their future development uncertain. Therefore this study presents expert views on future capital cost lifetime and efficiency for three electrolysis technologies: alkaline (AEC) proton exchange membrane (PEMEC) and solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC). Experts estimate that increased R&D funding can reduce capital costs by 0–24% while production scale-up alone has an impact of 17–30%. System lifetimes may converge at around 60000–90000 h and efficiency improvements will be negligible. In addition to innovations on the cell-level experts highlight improved production methods to automate manufacturing and produce higher quality components. Research into SOECs with lower electrode polarisation resistance or zero-gap AECs could undermine the projected dominance of PEMEC systems. This study thereby reduces barriers to investment in water electrolysis and shows how expert elicitations can help guide near-term investment policy and research efforts to support the development of electrolysis for low-carbon energy systems.
Transport Energy Air Pollution Model
May 2019
Publication
The transport sector remains at the centre of any debates around energy conservation exaggerated by the stubborn and overwhelming reliance on fossil fuels by its motorised forms whether passenger and freight road rail sea and air.<br/>The very slow transition to alternative fuel sources to date has resulted in this sector being increasingly and convincingly held responsible for the likely failure of individual countries including the UK to meet their obligations under consecutive international climate change agreements.<br/>Electrification of transport is largely expected to take us down the path to a ‘zero carbon future’ (CCC 2019; DfT 2018). But there are serious concerns about future technology performance availability costs and uptake by consumers and businesses. There are also concerns about the increasing gap between lab and ‘real world’ performance of energy use carbon and air pollution emissions. Recently the role of consumer ‘lifestyles’ has increased in prominence (e.g. IPCC 2018) but as yet has not been taken seriously by the DfT BEIS or even the CCC (2019).
Potential Economic Impacts of the HyNet North West Project
Jan 2018
Publication
The objective of the analysis is to provide a robust assessment of the economic impact of HyNet NW over the period to 2050 across both the North West of England and the UK as a whole. Impact is assessed through modelling of direct indirect and induced effect frameworks:
Consideration is also given to the potential impacts of inward investment attracted to the North West/UK in the wake of the Project.
- Direct effects – activities that directly accrue due to the construction and operation of the facilities;
- Indirect effects – the purchase of goods and services to facilitate construction/operation; and
- Induced effects – spending of wages and salaries generated directly and indirectly through construction and operation.
Consideration is also given to the potential impacts of inward investment attracted to the North West/UK in the wake of the Project.
Cryogenic Hydrogen Jets: Flammable Envelope Size and Hazard Distances for Jet Fire
Sep 2019
Publication
Engineering tools for calculation of hazard distances for cryogenic hydrogen jets are currently missing. This study aims at the development of validated correlations for calculation of hazard distances for cryogenic unignited releases and jet fires. The experiments performed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) on jets from storage temperature in the range 46-295 K and pressure up to 6 bar abs are used to expand the validation domain of the correlations. The Ulster’s under-expanded jet theory is applied to calculate parameters at the real nozzle exit. The similarity law for concentration decay in momentum-dominated jets is shown to be capable to reproduce experimental data of SNL on 9 unignited cryogenic releases. The accuracy of the similarity law to predict experimentally measured axial concentration decay improves with the increase of the release diameter. This is thought due to decrease of the effect of friction and minor losses for large release orifices. The dimensionless flame length correlation is applied to analyse 30 cryogenic jet fire tests. The deviation of calculated flame length from measured in experiments is mostly within acceptable accuracy for engineering correlations 20% similarly to releases from storage and equipment at atmospheric temperatures. It is concluded that the similarity law and the dimensionless flame correlation can be used as universal engineering tools for calculation of hazard distances for hydrogen releases at any storage temperature including cryogenic.
Accumulation of Hydrogen Released into a Vented Enclosure - Experimental Results
Sep 2013
Publication
This paper reports experimental results from a series of experiments in which gaseous hydrogen was released into a 31 m3 enclosure and the hydrogen concentrations at a number of points within the enclosure were monitored to assess whether hydrogen accumulation occurred and whether a homogeneous or stratified mixture was formed. The enclosure was located in the open air and therefore subject to realistic and therefore variable wind conditions. The hydrogen release rate and the passive vent arrangements were varied. The experiments were carried out as part of the EU Hyindoor Project.
Oxford Energy Podcast – The Role of Ammonia and Hydrogen in Meeting International Maritime Organisation Targets for Decarbonising Shipping
Jul 2021
Publication
The world’s shipping fleet is responsible for approximately 0.9 Gt of CO2 emissions annually around 2.9 per cent of the world’s man-made emissions. Under an IEA ‘business as usual’ scenario this is forecast to rise to almost 1.7 Gt per year by 2050. The industry’s principal regulatory body the International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to reduce world shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement targeting a 50 per cent reduction compared with 2008 levels by 2050. The cost of achieving these emission targets however is about $1 trillion and will require focus from regulators operators and end consumers who in the end will have to pay. In this podcast David Ledesma talks to Bruce Moore Howe Robinson Partners to discuss these issues and ask in such a fragmented industry what the immediate priorities for the marine sector must be and how can it bring about a mix of commercial incentives and regulatory change that result in tangible emissions reductions.
The podcast can be found on their website
The podcast can be found on their website
Modifications in the Composition of CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalyst for the Synthesis of Methanol by CO2 Hydrogenation
Jun 2021
Publication
Renewable methanol obtained from CO2 and hydrogen provided from renewable energy was proposed to close the CO2 loop. In industry methanol synthesis using the catalyst CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 occurs at a high pressure. We intend to make certain modification on the traditional catalyst to work at lower pressure maintaining high selectivity. Therefore three heterogeneous catalysts were synthesized by coprecipitation to improve the activity and the selectivity to methanol under mild conditions of temperature and pressure. Certain modifications on the traditional catalyst Cu/Zn/Al2O3 were employed such as the modification of the synthesis time and the addition of Pd as a dopant agent. The most efficient catalyst among those tested was a palladium-doped catalyst 5% Pd/Cu/Zn/Al2O3. This had a selectivity of 64% at 210 °C and 5 bar.
Five Minute Guide to Hydrogen
Feb 2016
Publication
Hydrogen is an emerging energy vector many components of which are mature technologies. Current hydrogen technology is already able to provide advantages over other energy vectors and many of its challenges are being actively addressed by research and development.<br/><br/>Hydrogen can be derived stored and converted through various processes each of which represents different levels of carbon intensity efficiency and end use functionality. Our latest five minute guide looks at this energy vector in brief including public perception transportation and storage as well as using hydrogen as a solution.
Hy4Heat Safety Assessment: Precis - Work Package 7
May 2021
Publication
The Hy4Heat Safety Assessment has focused on assessing the safe use of hydrogen gas in certain types of domestic properties and buildings. The summary reports (the Precis and the Safety Assessment Conclusions Report) bring together all the findings of the work and should be looked to for context by all readers. The technical reports should be read in conjunction with the summary reports. While the summary reports are made as accessible as possible for general readers the technical reports may be most accessible for readers with a degree of technical subject matter understanding. All of the safety assessment reports have now been reviewed by the HSE.<br/><br/>This document is an overview of the Safety Assessment work undertaken as part of the Hy4Heat programme
Mobile Phone Infrastructure Development: Lessons for the Development of a Hydrogen Infrastructure
Apr 2014
Publication
The development of new infrastructure is often a consideration in the introduction of new innovations. Currently there is some confusion around how to develop a hydrogen infrastructure to support the introduction of FCVs. Lessons can be learned from similar technology introduction in the past and therefore this paper investigates how mobile phone infrastructure was developed allowing the mass-market penetration of mobile phones. Based on this successful infrastructural development suggestions can be made on the development of a hydrogen infrastructure. It is suggested that a hydrogen infrastructure needs to be pre-developed 3–5 years before the market introduction of FCVs can successfully occur. A lack of infrastructural pre-development will cause to the market introduction of FCVs to fail.
H21- Phase 1 Technical Summary Report
May 2021
Publication
The UK Government signed legislation on 27th June 2019 committing the UK to a legally binding target of Net Zero emissions by 2050. Climate change is one of the most significant technical economic social and business challenges facing the world today.
The H21 NIC Phase 1 project delivered an optimally designed experimentation and testing programme supported by the HSE Science Division and DNV GL with the aim to collect quantifiable evidence to support that the UK distribution network of 2032 will be comparably as safe operating on 100% hydrogen as it currently is on
natural gas. This innovative project begins to fill critical safety evidence gaps surrounding the conversion of the UK gas network to 100% hydrogen. This will facilitate progression towards H21 Phase 2 Operational Safety Demonstrations and the H21 Phase 3 Live Trials to promote customer acceptability and ultimately aid progress towards a government policy decision on heat.
DNV GL and HSE Science Division were engaged to undertake the experimentation testing and QRA update programme of work. DNV GL and HSE Science Division also peer reviewed each other’s programme of work at various stages throughout the project undertaking a challenge and review of the experimental data and results to provide confidence in the conclusions.
A strategic set of tests was designed to cover the range of assets represented across the Great Britain gas distribution networks. The assets used in the testing were mostly recovered from the distribution network as part of the ongoing Iron Mains Risk Reduction Replacement Programme. Controlled testing against a well-defined master testing plan with both natural gas and 100% hydrogen was then undertaken to provide the quantitative evidence to forecast any change to background leakage levels in a 100% hydrogen network.
Key Findings from Phase 1a:
The H21 NIC Phase 1 project delivered an optimally designed experimentation and testing programme supported by the HSE Science Division and DNV GL with the aim to collect quantifiable evidence to support that the UK distribution network of 2032 will be comparably as safe operating on 100% hydrogen as it currently is on
natural gas. This innovative project begins to fill critical safety evidence gaps surrounding the conversion of the UK gas network to 100% hydrogen. This will facilitate progression towards H21 Phase 2 Operational Safety Demonstrations and the H21 Phase 3 Live Trials to promote customer acceptability and ultimately aid progress towards a government policy decision on heat.
DNV GL and HSE Science Division were engaged to undertake the experimentation testing and QRA update programme of work. DNV GL and HSE Science Division also peer reviewed each other’s programme of work at various stages throughout the project undertaking a challenge and review of the experimental data and results to provide confidence in the conclusions.
A strategic set of tests was designed to cover the range of assets represented across the Great Britain gas distribution networks. The assets used in the testing were mostly recovered from the distribution network as part of the ongoing Iron Mains Risk Reduction Replacement Programme. Controlled testing against a well-defined master testing plan with both natural gas and 100% hydrogen was then undertaken to provide the quantitative evidence to forecast any change to background leakage levels in a 100% hydrogen network.
Key Findings from Phase 1a:
- Of the 215 assets tested 41 of them were found to leak 19 of them provided sufficient data to be able to compare hydrogen and methane leak rates.
- The tests showed that assets that were gas tight on methane were also gas tight on hydrogen. Assets that leaked on hydrogen also leaked
- on methane including repaired assets.
- The ratio of the hydrogen to methane volumetric leak rates varied between 1.1 and 2.2 which is largely consistent with the bounding values expected for laminar and turbulent (or inertial) flow which gave ratios of 1.2 and 2.8 respectively.
- None of the PE assets leaked; cast ductile and spun iron leaked to a similar degree (around 26-29% of all iron assets leaked) and the proportion of leaking steel assets was slightly less (14%).
- Four types of joint were responsible for most of the leaks on joints: screwed lead yarn bolted gland and hook bolts.
- All of the repairs that sealed methane leaks also were effective when tested with hydrogen.
A Comparative Review of Alternative Fuels for the Maritime Sector: Economic, Technology, and Policy Challenges for Clean Energy Implementation
Oct 2021
Publication
Global maritime transportation is responsible for around 3% of total anthropogenic green‐ house gas emissions and significant proportions of SOx NOx and PM emissions. Considering the predicted growth in shipping volumes to 2050 greenhouse gas emissions from ships must be cut by 75–85% per ton‐mile to meet Paris Agreement goals. This study reviews the potential of a range of alternative fuels for decarbonisation in maritime. A systematic literature review and information synthesis method was applied to evaluate fuel characteristics production pathways utilization technologies energy efficiency lifecycle environmental performance economic viability and cur‐ rent applicable policies. Alternative fuels are essential to decarbonisation in international shipping. However findings suggest there is no single route to deliver the required greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Emissions reductions vary widely depending on the production pathways of the fuel. Alternative fuels utilising a carbon‐intensive production pathway will not provide decarbonisation instead shifting emissions elsewhere in the supply chain. Ultimately a system‐wide perspective to creating an effective policy framework is required in order to promote the adoption of alternative propulsion technologies.
Hydrogen Implications for Gas Network Operators
Jan 2021
Publication
Europe has built up one of the best gas distribution infrastructures in the world. There’s one problem though. It distributes natural gas a fuel that we will hardly be able to use if we’re to reach our net zero targets. Can we use the infrastructure instead for clean hydrogen – either blended with natural gas as a stepping stone or with pure hydrogen in the future? In this episode we put aside discussion on the extent to which we should do this – and focus on whether or not we can do this and what’s involved in doing so.
Jon Slowe is joined by Eva Hennig Head of Department for EU Energy Policy at Thüga an alliance of German municipal energy companies (as well as chair of Eurogas’s distribution committee); Keith Owen Head of Systems Development and Energy Strategy at Northern Gas Networks in the UK; and Delta-EE expert Rob Castek.
Jon Slowe is joined by Eva Hennig Head of Department for EU Energy Policy at Thüga an alliance of German municipal energy companies (as well as chair of Eurogas’s distribution committee); Keith Owen Head of Systems Development and Energy Strategy at Northern Gas Networks in the UK; and Delta-EE expert Rob Castek.
The Heralds of Hydrogen: The Economic Sectors that are Driving the Hydrogen Economy in Europe
Jan 2021
Publication
This paper looked at 39 hydrogen associations across Europe to understand which economic sectors support the hydrogen transition in Europe and why they do so. Several broad conclusions can be drawn from this paper. It is clear that the support for hydrogen is broad and from a very wide spectrum of economic actors that have clear interests in the success of the hydrogen transition. Motivations for support differ. Sales and market growth are important for companies pursuing professional scientific and technical activities as well as manufacturers of chemicals machinery electronic or electrical equipment and fabricated metals. The increasing cost of CO2 combines with regulatory and societal pressure to decarbonize and concerns from investors about the long-term profitability of sectors with high emissions. This makes hydrogen especially interesting for companies working in the energy transport steel and chemical industries. Another motivation is the ability to keep using existing fixed assets relevant for ports oil and gas companies and natural gas companies. More sector-specific concerns are a technological belief held by some motor vehicle manufacturers in the advantages of FCVs over BEVs for private mobility which is held more widely regarding heavy road transport. Security of supply and diversifying the current business portfolio come up specifically for natural gas companies. Broader concerns about having to shift into other energy technologies as a core business are reasons for interest from the oil and gas sector and ports.
Perhaps the most important lesson is that the hydrogen transition has already begun – but it needs continued policy support and political commitment. Carbon-intensive industries such as steel and chemicals are clearly interested and willing to invest billions but need policy support to avoid carbon leakage to high-carbon competitors before they commit. The gas grid is ready and many operators and utility companies are eager but they need clearance to experiment with blending in hydrogen. Hydrogen road vehicles still face many regulatory hurdles. There are several clusters that can serve as models and nuclei for the future European hydrogen economy in different parts of Europe. However these nuclei will need more public funding and regulatory support for them to grow.
Link to document on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies website
Perhaps the most important lesson is that the hydrogen transition has already begun – but it needs continued policy support and political commitment. Carbon-intensive industries such as steel and chemicals are clearly interested and willing to invest billions but need policy support to avoid carbon leakage to high-carbon competitors before they commit. The gas grid is ready and many operators and utility companies are eager but they need clearance to experiment with blending in hydrogen. Hydrogen road vehicles still face many regulatory hurdles. There are several clusters that can serve as models and nuclei for the future European hydrogen economy in different parts of Europe. However these nuclei will need more public funding and regulatory support for them to grow.
Link to document on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies website
Transitioning to Hydrogen
Jan 2020
Publication
The UK is investigating supplying hydrogen to homes and businesses instead of natural gas by “repurposing” the gas network. It presents a major engineering challenge which has never been done anywhere else in the world.
In a new report titled ‘Transitioning to hydrogen’ experts from a cross-professional engineering institution (PEI) working group including the IET have assessed the engineering risks and uncertainties and concluded there is no reason why repurposing the gas network to hydrogen cannot be achieved. But there are several engineering risks and uncertainties which need to be addressed.
In a new report titled ‘Transitioning to hydrogen’ experts from a cross-professional engineering institution (PEI) working group including the IET have assessed the engineering risks and uncertainties and concluded there is no reason why repurposing the gas network to hydrogen cannot be achieved. But there are several engineering risks and uncertainties which need to be addressed.
Power to Gas Linking Electricity and Gas in a Decarbonising World
Oct 2018
Publication
Since the COP 21 meeting in Paris in December 2015 there has been a growing realisation that with the long-term objective that the energy system should be approaching carbon-neutrality by 2050 continuing to burn significant quantities of fossil-derived natural gas will not be sustainable. If existing natural gas infrastructure is to avoid becoming stranded assets plans to decarbonise the gas system need to be developed as a matter of urgency in the next three to five years given the typical life expectancy of such assets of 20 years or more. One of the options to decarbonise gas is “power-to-gas”: production of hydrogen or renewable methane via electrolysis using surplus renewable electricity. This Energy Insight reviews the status of power-to-gas and makes an assessment of potential future development pathways and the role which it could play in decarbonising the energy system.
Link to document on the OIES website
Link to document on the OIES website
Oxford Energy Podcast – Energy Transition Post-Pandemic in the Gulf: Clean Energy, Sustainability and Hydrogen
Jun 2021
Publication
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges faced by hydrocarbon exporters in the Gulf owing to the global push to transition to cleaner energy sources. In this podcast Manal Shehabi (OIES) discusses with David Ledesma a recent OIES-KFAS workshop held in April 2021 titled “Energy Transition Post-Pandemic in the Gulf States” held with support from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). They discuss separate but interrelated issues on clean energy economic and climate sustainability and hydrogen. Specially they examine how the global energy transition outlook has changed post-pandemic along with its impacts on Gulf States’ economies and energy transition projects. They explain implications to Gulf states’ sustainability evaluating whether these countries are fiscally sustainable post-pandemic and their urgent need for energy and economic diversification. They focus in on the possibility of the Gulf States’ using hydrogen to diversify both in domestic and export markets evaluating opportunities and challenges for both blue and green hydrogen. A preliminary case study on the economics of hydrogen in Kuwait is highlighted as indication of whether Gulf states can produce green hydrogen competitively. They conclude with policy recommendations to increase economic sustainability and resilience post-pandemic both through the energy transition and responses to it.
The podcast can be found on their website
The podcast can be found on their website
Hydrogen Odorant and Leak Detection: Part 1, Hydrogen Odorant - Project Closure Report
Nov 2020
Publication
This work programme was focused on identifying a suitable odorant for use in a 100% hydrogen gas grid (domestic use such as boilers and cookers). The research involved a review of existing odorants (used primarily for natural gas) and the selection of five suitable odorants based on available literature. One odorant was selected based on possible suitability with a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) based fuel cell vehicle which could in future be a possible end-user of grid hydrogen. NPL prepared Primary Reference Materials containing the five odorants in hydrogen at the relevant amount fraction levels (as would be found in the grid) including ones provided by Robinson Brothers (the supplier of odorants for natural gas in the UK). These mixtures were used by NPL to perform tests to understand the effects of the mixtures on pipeline (metal and plastic) appliances (a hydrogen boiler provided by Worcester Bosch) and PEM fuel cells. HSE investigated the health and environmental impact of these odorants in hydrogen. Olfactory testing was performed by Air Spectrum to characterise the ‘smell’ of each odorant. Finally an economic analysis was performed by E4tech. The results confirm that Odorant NB would be a suitable odorant for use in a 100% hydrogen gas grid for combustion applications but further research would be required if the intention is to supply grid hydrogen to stationery fuel cells or fuel cell vehicles. In this case further testing would need to be performed to measure the extent of fuel cell degradation caused by the non-sulphur odorant obtained as part of this work programme and also other UK projects such as the Hydrogen Grid to Vehicle (HG2V) project would provide important information about whether a purification step would be required regardless of the odorant before the hydrogen purity would be suitable for a PEM fuel cell vehicle. If purification was required it would be fine to use Odorant NB as this would be removed during the purification step.
This report and any attachment is freely available on the ENA Smarter Networks Portal here. IGEM Members can download the report and any attachment directly by clicking on the pdf icon above.
This report and any attachment is freely available on the ENA Smarter Networks Portal here. IGEM Members can download the report and any attachment directly by clicking on the pdf icon above.
Tracking the Evolution of a Single Composite Particle During Redox Cycling for Application in H2 Production
Mar 2020
Publication
Composite materials consisting of metal and metal oxide phases are being researched intensively for application in various energy conversion and storage technologies. In these applications composites are often expected to operate under redox conditions at elevated temperature. The understanding of the dynamics of composite phase and morphology evolution during redox cycling is still very limited yet critical to maximising performance and increasing durability. Here we track the microstructural evolution of a single composite particle over 200 redox cycles for hydrogen production by chemical looping using multi-length scale X-ray computed tomography. We show that redox cycling triggers a centrifugal redispersion of the metal phase and a centripetal clustering of porosity both seemingly driven by the asymmetric nature of oxygen exchange in composites. We show that initially the particle develops a large amount of internal porosity which boosts activity but on the long term this facilitates structural and compositional reorganisation and eventually degradation. We also correlate the microstructural data with phase and activity analysis to identify structure-property correlations which not only provide valuable insight into the evolution of composite materials under redox conditions but also for the design of new composite materials with enhanced durability.
UK Hydrogen Strategy
Aug 2021
Publication
The UK’s first-ever Hydrogen Strategy drives forward the commitments laid out in the Prime Minister’s ambitious 10 Point Plan for a green industrial revolution by setting the foundation for how the UK government will work with industry to meet its ambition for 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 – the equivalent of replacing natural gas in powering around 3 million UK homes each year as well as powering transport and businesses particularly heavy industry.<br/>A booming UK-wide hydrogen economy could be worth £900 million and create over 9000 high-quality jobs by 2030 potentially rising to 100000 jobs and worth up to £13 billion by 2050. By 2030 hydrogen could play an important role in decarbonising polluting energy-intensive industries like chemicals oil refineries power and heavy transport like shipping HGV lorries and trains by helping these sectors move away from fossil fuels. Low-carbon hydrogen provides opportunities for UK companies and workers across our industrial heartlands.<br/>With government analysis suggesting that 20-35% of the UK’s energy consumption by 2050 could be hydrogen-based this new energy source could be critical to meet our targets of net zero emissions by 2050 and cutting emissions by 78% by 2035 – a view shared by the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee. In the UK a low-carbon hydrogen economy could deliver emissions savings equivalent to the carbon captured by 700 million trees by 2032 and is a key pillar of capitalising on cleaner energy sources as the UK moves away from fossil fuels.
CFD Modelling of Underexpanded Hydrogen Jets Exiting Rectangular Shaped Openings
May 2020
Publication
Underexpanded jet releases from circular nozzles have been studied extensively both experimentally and numerically. However jet releases from rectangular openings have received much less attention and information on their dispersion behaviour is not as widely available. In this paper Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to assess the suitability of using a pseudo-source approach to model jet releases from rectangular openings. A comparative study is performed to evaluate the effect of nozzle shape on jet structure and dispersion characteristics for underexpanded hydrogen jet releases. Jet releases issuing from a circular nozzle and rectangular nozzles with aspect ratios ranging from two to eight are modelled including resolution of the near-field behaviour. The experimental work of Ruggles and Ekoto (2012 2014) is used as a basis for validating the modelling approach used and an additional case study in which jets with a stagnation-to-ambient pressure ratio of 300:1 are modelled is also performed. The CFD results show that for the 10:1 pressure ratio release the hazard volume and hazard distance remain largely unaffected by nozzle shape. For the higher pressure release the hazard volume is larger for the rectangular nozzle releases than the equivalent release through a circular orifice though the distance to lower flammability limit is comparable across the range of nozzle shapes considered. For both of the release pressures simulated the CFD results illustrate that a pseudo-source approach produces conservative results for all nozzle shapes considered. This finding has useful practical implications for consequence analysis in industrial applications such as the assessment of leaks from flanges and connections in pipework.
Hydrogen Effects in Corrosion: Discussion
Jun 2017
Publication
This session contained talks on the characterization of hydrogen-enhanced corrosion of steels and nickel-based alloys emphasizing the different observations across length scales from atomic-scale spectrographic to macro-scale fractographic examinations.
This article is the transcription of the recorded discussion of the session ‘Hydrogen Effects in Corrosion’ at the Royal Society discussion meeting Challenges of Hydrogen and Metals 16–18 January 2017. The text is approved by the contributors. M.A.S. transcribed the session and E.L.S. assisted in the preparation of the manuscript.
Link to document download on Royal Society Website
This article is the transcription of the recorded discussion of the session ‘Hydrogen Effects in Corrosion’ at the Royal Society discussion meeting Challenges of Hydrogen and Metals 16–18 January 2017. The text is approved by the contributors. M.A.S. transcribed the session and E.L.S. assisted in the preparation of the manuscript.
Link to document download on Royal Society Website
H2FC SUPERGEN- The Role of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Delivering Energy Security for the UK
Mar 2017
Publication
This White Paper has been commissioned by the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell (H2FC) SUPERGEN Hub to examine the roles and potential benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies within each sector of future energy systems and the transition infrastructure that is required to achieve these roles. The H2FC SUPERGEN Hub is an inclusive network encompassing the entire UK hydrogen and fuel cells research community with around 100 UK-based academics supported by key stakeholders from industry and government. It is funded by the UK EPSRC research council as part of the RCUK Energy Programme. This paper is the third of four that were published over the lifetime of the Hub with the others examining: (i) low-carbon heat; (ii) energy security; and (iv) economic impacts.
- Hydrogen and fuel cells are now being deployed commercially for mainstream applications.
- Hydrogen can play a major role alongside electricity in the low-carbon economy.
- Hydrogen technologies can support low-carbon electricity systems dominated by intermittent renewables and/or electric heating demand.
- The hydrogen economy is not necessary for hydrogen and fuel cells to flourish.
Thermal Radiation from Cryogenic Hydrogen Jet Fires
Sep 2017
Publication
The thermal hazards from ignited under-expanded cryogenic releases are not yet fully understood and reliable predictive tools are missing. This study aims at validation of a CFD model to simulate flame length and radiative heat flux for cryogenic hydrogen jet fires. The simulation results are compared against the experimental data by Sandia National Laboratories on cryogenic hydrogen fires from storage with pressure up to 5 bar abs and temperature in the range 48–82 K. The release source is modelled using the Ulster's notional nozzle theory. The problem is considered as steady-state. Three turbulence models were applied and their performance was compared. The realizable k-ε model showed the best agreement with experimental flame length and radiative heat flux. Therefore it has been employed in the CFD model along with Eddy Dissipation Concept for combustion and Discrete Ordinates (DO) model for radiation. A parametric study has been conducted to assess the effect of selected numerical and physical parameters on the simulations capability to reproduce experimental data. DO model discretisation is shown to strongly affect simulations indicating 10 × 10 as minimum number of angular divisions to provide a convergence. The simulations have shown sensitivity to experimental parameters such as humidity and exhaust system volumetric flow rate highlighting the importance of accurate and extended publication of experimental data to conduct precise numerical studies. The simulations correctly reproduced the radiative heat flux from cryogenic hydrogen jet fire at different locations.
Industrial Decarbonisation Policies for a UK Net-Zero Target
Dec 2020
Publication
To inform our Sixth Carbon Budget advice the Climate Change Committee (CCC) asked the University of Leeds to undertake independent research to evaluate which policies (and combinations of policies) would enable industrial decarbonisation in line with the UK’s net zero target without inducing carbon leakage. The research focused on policies applicable to the manufacturing sector but with some consideration also given to the policies required to decarbonise the Fossil Fuel Production and Supply and Non-Road Mobile Machinery sectors. This report:
Sets out a comprehensive review of existing policies;
The paper can be downloaded from the CCC website
Sets out a comprehensive review of existing policies;
- Identifies future policy mechanisms that address key challenges in decarbonising industry;
- Explores how combinations of policies might work together strategically in the form of ‘policy packages’ and how these packages might evolve over the period to 2050;
- Evaluates a series of illustrative policy packages and considers any complementary policies required to minimise carbon leakage and deliver ‘just’ industrial decarbonisation.
- The findings were developed through a combination of literature review and extensive stakeholder engagement with industry government and academic experts.
The paper can be downloaded from the CCC website
Mechanisms of Hydrogen Embrittlement in Steels: Discussion
Jun 2017
Publication
This discussion session interrogated the current understanding of hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms in steels. This article is a transcription of the recorded discussion of ‘Hydrogen in steels’ at the Royal Society Scientific Discussion Meeting ‘The challenges of hydrogen and metals’ 16–18 January 2017.
The text is approved by the contributors. E.L.S. transcribed the session. M.P. assisted in the preparation of the manuscript
Link to document download on Royal Society Website
The text is approved by the contributors. E.L.S. transcribed the session. M.P. assisted in the preparation of the manuscript
Link to document download on Royal Society Website
Modelling the UK Energy System: Practical Insights for Technology Development and Policy Making
Jun 2014
Publication
The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has developed an internationally peer-reviewed model of the UK’s national energy system extending across power heat transport and infrastructure. The Energy System Modelling Environment (ESME) is a policy neutral system-wide optimisation model. It models the key technology and engineering choices taking account of cost engineering spatial and temporal factors.
Key points:
Key points:
- A system-wide perspective informed by modelling is highly relevant because complex energy systems are made more inter-dependent by emissions reduction objectives
- Efforts to cut emissions are substitutable across a national energy system encompassing power heat transport and infrastructure.
- Energy systems are subject to key decision points and it is important to make the right choices in major long lived investments
- Policy makers should place policy in a system-wide context.
- Decarbonisation can be achieved affordably (at around 0.6% of GDP) provided that the most cost effective technologies and strategies to reduce emissions are deployed
- A broad portfolio of technologies is needed to deliver emissions reductions with bio-energy and carbon capture and storage of particular system-wide importance
Understanding and Mitigating Hydrogen Embrittlement of Steels: A Review of Experimental, Modelling and Design Progress from Atomistic to Continuum
Feb 2018
Publication
Hydrogen embrittlement is a complex phenomenon involving several lengthand timescales that affects a large class of metals. It can significantly reduce the ductility and load-bearing capacity and cause cracking and catastrophic brittle failures at stresses below the yield stress of susceptible materials. Despite a large research effort in attempting to understand the mechanisms of failure and in developing potential mitigating solutions hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms are still not completely understood. There are controversial opinions in the literature regarding the underlying mechanisms and related experimental evidence supporting each of these theories. The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed review up to the current state of the art on the effect of hydrogen on the degradation of metals with a particular focus on steels. Here we describe the effect of hydrogen in steels from the atomistic to the continuum scale by reporting theoretical evidence supported by quantum calculation and modern experimental characterisation methods macroscopic effects that influence the mechanical properties of steels and established damaging mechanisms for the embrittlement of steels. Furthermore we give an insight into current approaches and new mitigation strategies used to design new steels resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.<br/>*Correction published see Supplements section
Clean Growth- Transforming Heating Overview of Current Evidence
Dec 2018
Publication
Government has reviewed the evidence base on options for achieving long term heat decarbonisation. This report provides an overview of the key issues arising from our review and seeks to:
- highlight the different characteristics of the main alternative sources of low carbon heat and the approaches to achieving transformational change
- set out strategically important issues ‘strategic inferences’ which we have drawn from the evidence available to help focus the development of our long term policy framework
- identify areas that require further exploration to inform the development of a new long term policy framework for heat
- better understanding of the different options available for decarbonising heating
- a clearer common agenda across industry academia and the public sector to ensure effort and resources are effectively and efficiently applied to long term heat decarbonisation issues
- the strategic inferences identified
- the priority areas requiring further development
- any important omissions
- the parties best placed to deliver in these areas
- opportunities for enhancing co-ordination
Energy White Paper: Powering our Net Zero Future
Dec 2020
Publication
The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan has set out the measures that will help ensure the UK is at the forefront of this revolution just as we led the first over two centuries ago. As nations move out of the shadow of coronavirus and confront the challenge of climate change with renewed vigour markets for new green products and services will spring up round the world. Taking action now will help ensure not just that we end our contribution to climate change by achieving our target of net zero emissions. It will help position UK companies and our world class research base to seize the business opportunities which flow from it creating jobs and wealth for our country.
Following on from the Ten Point Plan and the National Infrastructure Strategy the Energy White Paper provides further clarity on the Prime Minister’s measures and puts in place a strategy for the wider energy system that:
Following on from the Ten Point Plan and the National Infrastructure Strategy the Energy White Paper provides further clarity on the Prime Minister’s measures and puts in place a strategy for the wider energy system that:
- Transforms energy building a cleaner greener future for our country our people and our planet
- Supports a green recovery growing our economy supporting thousands of green jobs across the country in new green industries and leveraging new green export opportunities
- Creates a fair deal for consumers protecting the fuel poor providing opportunities to save money on bills giving us warmer more comfortable homes and balancing investment against bill impacts.
Hydrogen Production by Steam Reforming of DME in a Large Scale CFB Reactor. Part I: Computational Model and Predictions
Oct 2015
Publication
This study presents a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) study of Dimethyl Ether steam reforming (DME-SR) in a large scale Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) reactor. The CFD model is based on Eulerian–Eulerian dispersed flow and solved using commercial software (ANSYS FLUENT). The DME-SR reactions scheme and kinetics in the presence of a bifunctional catalyst of CuO/ZnO/Al2O3+ZSM-5 were incorporated in the model using in-house developed user-defined function. The model was validated by comparing the predictions with experimental data from the literature. The results revealed for the first time detailed CFB reactor hydrodynamics gas residence time temperature distribution and product gas composition at a selected operating condition of 300 °C and steam to DME mass ratio of 3 (molar ratio of 7.62). The spatial variation in the gas species concentrations suggests the existence of three distinct reaction zones but limited temperature variations. The DME conversion and hydrogen yield were found to be 87% and 59% respectively resulting in a product gas consisting of 72 mol% hydrogen. In part II of this study the model presented here will be used to optimize the reactor design and study the effect of operating conditions on the reactor performance and products.
Blended Hydrogen: The UK Public’s Perspective
Nov 2019
Publication
Hydrogen is increasingly being positioned as an important component of the UK’s Net Zero ambitions and commitments. In particular hydrogen could be an appropriate way to decarbonise the heat produced for domestic and industrial buildings. It is possible that hydrogen could replace natural gas in the UK gas network achieving key carbon emissions reduction targets while enabling homes to be heated to a similar level and standard as they currently are.<br/>In the interim small amounts of hydrogen will soon be blended into current natural gas supplies. The premise of this idea is to blend hydrogen into the existing gas network in small enough quantities to not require any adjustments to domestic cookers boilers and other gas-fired appliances but in large enough quantities to generate significant immediate reductions in carbon emissions. Three trials will take place between 2019 and 2022 as part of the HyDeploy project with the aim of demonstrating that hydrogen blending can occur at scale with no safety implications and no disruption to users.<br/>Public perceptions and acceptance of hydrogen will be pivotal in this scenario. At present there is very little indication of how acceptable hydrogen will be for heating homes and questions around safety cost and performance are only beginning to be understood and addressed.<br/>This report investigates public perceptions of blended hydrogen as a fuel for UK homes. In March 2019 we administered a survey to a sample (n=742) representative of the UK adult population in terms of age sex ethnicity and personal income. Our survey covered initial perceptions values and knowledge of hydrogen; the possibilities and pitfalls of hydrogen blending; public trust; and participants’ overall support for hydrogen. Key Findings and Conclusions and Recommendations for Policy and Practice follow immediately with the full report beginning on p.6.
A Mountain to Climb? Tracking Progress in Scaling Up Renewable Gas Production in Europe
Oct 2019
Publication
In the last couple of years there has been increasing recognition by key players in the European gas industry that to mitigate the risk of terminal decline in the context of a decarbonising energy system there will need to be rapid scale up of decarbonised gas. This has led to several projections of the scale of decarbonised gas which could potentially be supplied by 2030 2040 or 2050. This paper joint with the Sustainable Gas Institute at Imperial College London considers the very significant rate of scale up and the significant cost reductions contemplated by such projections. Based on a database of actual announced projects (both committed and in earlier stages of development) for production of decarbonised gas it then considers the extent to which project activity is consistent with meeting the ambitious projections. It identifies a significant gap in current levels of activity largely because there is not yet sufficient economic incentive for investors to develop the required projects. It is intended that this paper will form the basis of continued tracking of the level of activity over the coming years to help inform industry players of further actions which may be required.
Hydrogen Production by Fluidized Bed Reactors: A Quantitative Perspective Using the Supervised Machine Learning Approach
Jul 2021
Publication
The current hydrogen generation technologies especially biomass gasification using fluidized bed reactors (FBRs) were rigorously reviewed. There are involute operational parameters in a fluidized bed gasifier that determine the anticipated outcomes for hydrogen production purposes. However limited reviews are present that link these parametric conditions with the corresponding performances based on experimental data collection. Using the constructed artificial neural networks (ANNs) as the supervised machine learning algorithm for data training the operational parameters from 52 literature reports were utilized to perform both the qualitative and quantitative assessments of the performance such as the hydrogen yield (HY) hydrogen content (HC) and carbon conversion efficiency (CCE). Seven types of operational parameters including the steam-to-biomass ratio (SBR) equivalent ratio (ER) temperature particle size of the feedstock residence time lower heating value (LHV) and carbon content (CC) were closely investigated. Six binary parameters have been identified to be statistically significant to the performance parameters (hydrogen yield (HY)) hydrogen content (HC) and carbon conversion efficiency (CCE) by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal operational conditions derived from the machine leaning were recommended according to the needs of the outcomes. This review may provide helpful insights for researchers to comprehensively consider the operational conditions in order to achieve high hydrogen production using fluidized bed reactors during biomass gasification.
Reference Standard for Low Pressure Hydrogen Utilisation
May 2021
Publication
This standard has been created for the specific purposes of the Hy4Heat programme. The standard was commissioned in 2018 and this version was considered and approved by the relevant IGEM committees in May of 2020. This version of the standard was developed using the latest publicly available information at that time and may include some conservative requirements which further research may deem not necessary. The supplement will be updated regularly following the publication of new research into the application of hydrogen.
This Reference Standard aims to identify and discuss the principles required for the safety and integrity of Hydrogen installation and utilisation in premises.
This document intends to:
The standard is available to download through the IGEM website here.
This Reference Standard aims to identify and discuss the principles required for the safety and integrity of Hydrogen installation and utilisation in premises.
This document intends to:
- provide a point of reference for those requiring an understanding of the implications of using hydrogen as a distributed gas in properties
- detail the characteristics of Hydrogen
- detail the comparisons between hydrogen and Natural Gas (NG)
- discuss the safety implications of using hydrogen
- discuss the implications for materials when using hydrogen
- discuss the implications for the installation and use of using hydrogen in domestic & smaller commercial buildings.
The standard is available to download through the IGEM website here.
World Energy Issues Monitor 2018: Perspectives on the Grand Energy Transition
May 2018
Publication
The World Energy Issues Monitor provides the views of energy leaders from across the globe to highlight the key issues of uncertainty importance and developing signals for the future.
The World Energy Issues Monitor Tool presents in one place dynamic map views of the nine years of Issues Monitor data that has been collated by the World Energy Council. The maps convey a narrative of the key energy issues regional and local variances and how these have changed over time. The tool allows the preparation of different maps for comparison and allows the manipulation of data by geography over time or by highlighting of specific energy issues.
The World Energy Issues Monitor Tool presents in one place dynamic map views of the nine years of Issues Monitor data that has been collated by the World Energy Council. The maps convey a narrative of the key energy issues regional and local variances and how these have changed over time. The tool allows the preparation of different maps for comparison and allows the manipulation of data by geography over time or by highlighting of specific energy issues.
- The geographical views can now be broken out into a country level.
- The time view allows you to see how specific issues have developed whether globally at a regional or country level
- Issues can also be viewed according to certain categories such as OECD non-OECD G20 countries innovators
Hy4Heat Annex To Site Specific Safety Case for Hydrogen Community Demonstration - Work Package 7
May 2021
Publication
The Hy4Heat Safety Assessment has focused on assessing the safe use of hydrogen gas in certain types of domestic properties and buildings. The summary reports (the Precis and the Safety Assessment Conclusions Report) bring together all the findings of the work and should be looked to for context by all readers. The technical reports should be read in conjunction with the summary reports. While the summary reports are made as accessible as possible for general readers the technical reports may be most accessible for readers with a degree of technical subject matter understanding. All of the safety assessment reports have now been reviewed by the HSE<br/>Annex prepared to support Site Specific Safety Cases for hydrogen gas community demonstrations based on work undertaken by the Hy4Heat programme. It covers a collection of recommended risk reduction measures for application downstream of the Emergency Control Valve (ECV)
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