Publications

Under the background of “dual-carbon” the development of energy internet is an inevitable trend for China’s low-carbon energy transition. This paper proposes a hydrogen-coupled electrothermal integrated energy system (HCEH-IES) operation mode and optimizes the source-side structure of the system from the level of carbon trading policy combined with low-carbon technology taps the carbon reduction potential and improves the renewable energy consumption rate and system decarbonization level; in addition for the operation optimization problem of this electric–gas–heat integrated energy system a flexible energy system based on electric–gas–heat is proposed. Furthermore to address the operation optimization problem of the HCEH-IES a deep reinforcement learning method based on Soft Actor–Critic (SAC) is proposed. This method can adaptively learn control strategies through interactions between the intelligent agent and the energy system enabling continuous action control of the multi-energy flow system while solving the uncertainties associated with source-load fluctuations from wind power photovoltaics and multi-energy loads. Finally historical data are used to train the intelligent body and compare the scheduling strategies obtained by SAC and DDPG algorithms. The results show that the SAC-based algorithm has better economics is close to the CPLEX day-ahead optimal scheduling method and is more suitable for solving the dynamic optimal scheduling problem of integrated energy systems in real scenarios.

This study investigates the effects of secondary jet-guided combustion on the combustion and emissions of a hydrogen direct-injection engine through numerical simulations. The results show that secondary jet-guided combustion which involves injecting and igniting the hydrogen jet at the end of the compression stroke significantly shortens the delay period improves combustion stability and brings the combustion center closer to the top dead center (TDC) achieving a maximum indicative thermal efficiency (ITE) of 46.55% (λ = 2.4). However this strategy results in higher NOx emissions due to high-temperature combustion. In contrast single and double injections lead to worsened combustion and reduced thermal efficiency under lean-burn conditions but with relatively lower NOx emissions. This study demonstrates that secondary jet-guided combustion can effectively enhance hydrogen engine performance by optimizing mixture stratification and flame propagation providing theoretical support for clean and efficient combustion.

Low carbon hydrogen has a fundamental role to play in not one but two of the UK Government’s core missions. First it can help grow the economy - with thousands of new jobs and opportunities breathing new life into our industrial heartlands. Second it can help the UK become a clean energy superpower by using clean secure energy that we control. Third it can future-proof the UK’s foundational industries delivering decarbonisation and energy security to the hard-to-abate sectors which underpin the UK economy. Hydrogen developers across our membership report growing interest from customers in a wide range of sectors. Whilst current government policy has helped start the hydrogen economy industry wants this to accelerate and become more holistic so that interest is translated into demand allowing the sector to fully develop and the UK to meet its decarbonisation targets. With growing international competition the UK Government should prioritise the growth of hydrogen technology implementation leveraging the nation’s natural geological and geographical advantages. Although £20 billion in private capital investment is estimated to be ready to support the UK Government’s hydrogen ambitions persistent delays and market uncertainty risk this funding being lost to other markets. This report outlines the importance of Driving Demand for offtakers complementing the strong market foundation built from Government’s early hydrogen production focus. For effective policy implementation industry stakeholders have highlighted the importance of finding balance: retaining low-carbon technology optionality alongside certainty and support for investment with the adoption of a clear ‘vision’ and ‘market creation’ supported by a tailored mix of ‘carrots and sticks’ to support the market. From the research conducted by HUK it is clear that the choice of decarbonisation options is not done on a sector-by-sector basis that even within companies the decision-making process is site-by-site. This reflects the sensitivity of numerous factors that will ultimately determine the best solution for their site and re-enforces the view that customers must be allowed the choice of decarbonisation options. Hydrogen will play a significant role in decarbonising some of the hardest to abate sectors of the UK economy complimenting the role of electrification CCUS and other decarbonisation technologies. These sectors represent the hardest and therefore most expensive to decarbonise. However hydrogen also provides an opportunity to deliver significant economic growth through a thriving domestic supply chain and so a holistic approach should be applied.

The paper can be found on their website.

Hydrogen fuel presents a promising pathway for achieving long-term decarbonization in the maritime sector. However its use in diesel engines introduces challenges due to high reactivity leading to increased NOx emissions and combustion instability. The aim of this study is to identify settings so that the investigated engine operates with 60% hydrogen energy fraction at high load through CFD modelling. The model is utilized to simulate a four-stroke 10.5 MW marine engine at 90% load incorporating 60% hydrogen injection by energy at the engine intake port. The CFD model is verified using experimental data from diesel operation of the marine engine and hydrogen operation of a light-duty engine. The engine performance was determined and detailed emissions analysis was conducted including NO NO2 HO2 and OH. The findings indicate a substantial rise in NOx emissions as opposed to diesel operation due to elevated combustion temperatures and increased residence time at elevated temperature of the mixture in-cylinder. The presence of HO2 and OH highlights critical zones of combustion which contribute to operational stability. The novelty of this study is supported by the examination of the high hydrogen energy fraction the advanced emissions analysis and the insights into the emissions–performance trade-offs in hydrogen-fueled dual-fuel marine engines. The results offer guidance for the development of sustainable hydrogen-based marine propulsion systems.

This report identifies the critical research and innovation (R&I) priorities for decarbonising Europe's heavy-duty vehicles based on direct feedback from industry stakeholders. The findings reveal a consensus: battery electric technology is the primary pathway forward with significant stakeholder support for R&I focused on its improvement. While battery electric technology is perceived as more mature hydrogen is considered a complementary solution for the most demanding long-haul routes. Large-scale demonstrations are suggested for de-risking operations and evaluating integration with the transport and energy system. The analysis confirms that achieving TCO parity or better compared to diesel is the most important factor for market uptake. This study provides direct evidence-based guidance for EU transport R&I policy helping to chart the road ahead and orient R&I call programming to meet the ambitious CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

The decarbonization of energy systems poses significant challenges to energy networks due to the introduction of new energy vectors and changes in the pattern of energy demand. However this is currently an under-researched area. This paper addresses a gap in the literature by drawing on the socio-technological transitions and multi-system interactions literature to explore the views of experts from industry academia and other sectors about the challenges facing UK energy networks and the possible solutions including taking a more wholistic approach to the planning and operation of dierent networks. Using these frameworks we have demonstrated that systems can be deliberately integrated to interact and solve particular system challenges and have identified the nature of these interactions. The empirical results identify areas of consensus and disagreement about the future development of network infrastructure and regulation. They also highlight how government policy responds to the challenges and opportunities presented by the UK climate targets. The findings show widespread agreement that the UK energy system will become more electrified and decentralized as it incorporates more renewable energy. However the role of gaseous fuels in the energy system is more uncertain with some experts seeing a move from natural gas to hydrogen as being key to maintaining the security of supply while others see little or no role for hydrogen. There is also widespread agreement that the regulatory structure should change to address the challenges facing energy networks with much less agreement on whether this could happen quickly enough. Recent developments indicate the UK Government recognizes the need for regulatory change but it is premature to foresee their success in helping networks be a driver of rather than a barrier to a net-zero energy system.

Hydrogen transportation through a new pipeline poses significant economic barriers and blending hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines offers promising alternative. However hydrogen’s low energy density and potential material compatibility challenges necessitate modifications to existing infrastructure. This study conducts a comprehensive thermo-economic analysis of natural gas and hydrogen mixtures with and without gaseous inhibitors evaluating the impact on thermophysical properties (Wobbe index density viscosity energy density higher and lower heating values) compression power economic feasibility and storage volume requirement. A pipeline transmission model was developed in Aspen HYSYS to assess these properties considering major and minor infrastructure modifications. The findings suggest that the addition of 5% carbon monoxide and 2% ethylene as gaseous inhibitors in maintaining desired properties ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure and operational processes. The findings also indicate that blending 30% hydrogen increases storage volume by 30–55% while reducing higher and lower heating values by 20–25%. However the addition of 5% carbon monoxide and 2% ethylene improves the pipeline performance and reduces the carbon emissions by 23–26% supporting the transition to low-carbon energy systems. The results suggest that hydrogen blending is viable under specific infrastructure modifications providing critical insights for optimizing pipeline repurposing for sustainable hydrogen transportation.

The UK is set to build on its world leading position of renewables deployment targeting as much as 50GW of offshore wind 27GW of onshore wind and 47GW of solar by 2030 as part of the Clean Power 2030 mission. As we move towards a net zero power system driven by renewables and away from unabated gas the UK will need greater capability to manage periods of low and excess renewable generation. Electrolytic hydrogen is a critical solution to this challenge as the Clean Power Plan and the advice from NESO make clear. Firstly because hydrogen can be stored for long periods of time and in large volumes and because curtailed power can be very low cost. Therefore electrolytic hydrogen can provide cost-effective long duration energy storage which can then be used as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for dispatchable power generation and for a wide variety of uses essential to the full decarbonisation of other sectors including industry and heavy transport. Secondly electrolytic hydrogen can be produced using the renewable power in places such as Scotland that would otherwise go to waste due to the lack of network capacity or demand. Building electrolytic hydrogen production capacity in areas with high renewables and behind grid constraints has a wide range of benefits. Providing electricity demand for the increasing levels of onshore and offshore wind that is in the pipeline in Scotland is going to be critical for renewable deployment while reducing constraint costs paid by consumers. Thus by providing a source of firm power and demand for excess renewable generation electrolytic hydrogen is fundamental to ensuring security of supply in a low carbon power system.

This paper can be found on their website.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have garnered significant attention as a promising technology for clean and efficient power generation due to their ability to utilise renewable fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. As carbon-free energy carriers hydrogen and ammonia are expected to play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero emissions. However a critical research question remains: how does the electrochemical performance of SOFCs compare when fuelled by hydrogen vs. ammonia and what are the implications for their practical application in power generation? This mini-review paper is premised on the hypothesis that while hydrogen-fuelled SOFCs currently demonstrate superior stability and performance at low and high temperatures ammonia-fuelled SOFCs offer unique advantages such as higher electrical efficiencies and improved fuel utilisation. These benefits make ammonia a viable alternative fuel source for SOFCs particularly at elevated temperatures. To address this the mini-review paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of the electrochemical performance of SOFCs under direct hydrogen and ammonia fuels focusing on key parameters such as open-circuit voltage (OCV) power density electrochemical impedance spectroscopy fuel utilisation stability and electrical efficiency. Recent advances in electrode materials electrolytes fabrication techniques and cell structures are also highlighted. Through an extensive literature survey it is found that hydrogen-fuelled SOFCs exhibit higher stability and are less affected by temperature cycling. In contrast ammonia-fuelled SOFCs achieve higher OCVs (by 7%) and power densities (1880 mW/cm2 vs. 1330 mW/cm2 for hydrogen) at 650 °C along with 6% higher electrical efficiency. Despite these advantages ammonia-fuelled SOFCs face challenges such as NOx emissions nitride formation environmental impact and OCV stabilisation which are discussed alongside potential solutions. This mini review aims to provide insights into the future direction of SOFC research emphasising the need for further exploration of ammonia as a sustainable fuel alternative.

This study focuses on enhancing the efficiency of alkaline water electrolysis technology a key process in green hydrogen production by leveraging the synergy of magnetic fields and in situ electrode activation. Optimizing AWE efficiency is essential to meet increasing demands for sustainable energy solutions. In this research nickel mesh electrodes were modified through the application of magnetic fields and the addition of hypo-hyper d-metal (cobalt complexes and molybdenum salt) to the electrolyte. These enhancements improve mass transfer facilitate bubble detachment and create a high-surface-area catalytic layer on the electrodes all of which lead to improved hydrogen evolution rates. The integration of magnetic fields and in situ activation achieved over 35% energy savings offering a cost-effective and scalable pathway for industrial green hydrogen production.