Hydrogen UK - Hydrogen to Power Report

The UK has set an ambitious target of delivering clean power by 2030. Low carbon dispatchable power generation using hydrogen will play a key role in a clean power system, by providing flexibility and other services for system operability, and also by providing supply adequacy during extended periods of low renewable output, decarbonising the role currently performed by an aging portfolio of unabated natural gas power generation. While some 100% hydrogen to power (H2P) commercial projects are already being deployed globally using multi megawatt fuel cells, alongside blending hydrogen into existing gas turbines and new hydrogen ready turbines, industrial scale 100% H2P projects face additional challenges of deploying new technology into a nascent system, one which requires significant volumes of hydrogen storage with long lead times. To achieve the 2030 clean power system ambition, and lay the foundations for a clean, resilient and secure power system beyond 2030, it is critical that the new government takes resolute actions now to support H2P at scale. A clear strategic plan should be developed within the first 12 months of the new administration, with clarity being given on policy, business models, and deployment rates for hydrogen to power (H2P) and its enabling infrastructure. This report, produced by Hydrogen UK’s Power Generation Working Group, explores the role that H2P will play in the decarbonised power system of the future, the barriers to deployment, and recommendations for overcoming them.
This paper can be found on their website.