Projects & Initiatives
HyDeploy Report: Summary of Procedural Changes During Trial
Aug 2018
Publication
The assessment of appropriate operational procedures to govern the injection of a hydrogen/natural gas blend into the Keele University G3 gas distribution network was a requirement as part of the HyDeploy project. To perform this assessment a group of gas industry experts (from Cadent Northern Gas Networks and Keele University Estates Team) along with scientists and engineers from the Health & Safety Laboratory came together to form an Operational Procedures Forum. This forum came together periodically in various workshops to explore and assess the impact of hydrogen blended gas on all the relevant and current operational procedures that govern the safe transportation and utilisation of natural gas within the Keele University G3 gas distribution network.
The operational procedures assessment has led to a determination as to whether a change is or is not required for relevant operational procedures where a basis of concern existed with respect to the injection of hydrogen blended gas. The report essentially summarises the key points of the basis of concern for different operational procedures by highlighting the key points of the existing procedure and whether this procedure requires modification for the hydrogen blended gas injection trial. Any requirements to modify an existing procedure have been given in this report referencing the source as to where the detailed analysis for the change/no change recommendation has been given.
The forum took into account the associated experimental and research carried out as part of the HyDeploy project such as the assessment of gas characteristics materials impact asset survey of assets on the Keele G3 GDN and impact of hydrogen blended gas on gas detection equipment references to these studies have been given accordingly to associated impacted operational procedures.
The conclusion of the assessment is that there are some operational procedures that are unchanged some that require an increase in the frequency as to how often they are performed and some procedures which require a fundamental modification. Therefore it is necessary that an appropriate training package is built off the back of the results presented in this report and disseminated accordingly to all relevant Operatives that will be responsible for the safety operation and maintenance of the Keele G3 GDN during the hydrogen blend injection period.
Click on Supplements to see the other documents from this report
The operational procedures assessment has led to a determination as to whether a change is or is not required for relevant operational procedures where a basis of concern existed with respect to the injection of hydrogen blended gas. The report essentially summarises the key points of the basis of concern for different operational procedures by highlighting the key points of the existing procedure and whether this procedure requires modification for the hydrogen blended gas injection trial. Any requirements to modify an existing procedure have been given in this report referencing the source as to where the detailed analysis for the change/no change recommendation has been given.
The forum took into account the associated experimental and research carried out as part of the HyDeploy project such as the assessment of gas characteristics materials impact asset survey of assets on the Keele G3 GDN and impact of hydrogen blended gas on gas detection equipment references to these studies have been given accordingly to associated impacted operational procedures.
The conclusion of the assessment is that there are some operational procedures that are unchanged some that require an increase in the frequency as to how often they are performed and some procedures which require a fundamental modification. Therefore it is necessary that an appropriate training package is built off the back of the results presented in this report and disseminated accordingly to all relevant Operatives that will be responsible for the safety operation and maintenance of the Keele G3 GDN during the hydrogen blend injection period.
Click on Supplements to see the other documents from this report
Hy4Heat Safety Assessment: Conclusions Report (Incorporating Quantitative Risk Assessment) - 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/>A comparative risk assessment of natural gas versus hydrogen gas including a quantitative risk assessment; and identification of control measures to reduce risk and manage hydrogen gas safety for a community demonstration.
Economic Analysis of a High-pressure Urban Pipeline Concept (HyLine) for Delivering Hydrogen to Retail Fueling Stations
Nov 2019
Publication
Reducing the cost of delivering hydrogen to fuelling stations and dispensing it into fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) is one critical element of efforts to increase the cost-competitiveness of FCEVs. Today hydrogen is primarily delivered to stations by trucks. Pipeline delivery is much rarer: one urban U.S. station has been supplied with 800-psi hydrogen from an industrial hydrogen pipeline since 2011 and a German station on the edge of an industrial park has been supplied with 13000-psi hydrogen from a pipeline since 2006. This article compares the economics of existing U.S. hydrogen delivery methods with the economics of a high-pressure scalable intra-city pipeline system referred to here as the “HyLine” system. In the HyLine system hydrogen would be produced at urban industrial or commercial sites compressed to 15000 psi stored at centralized facilities delivered via high-pressure pipeline to retail stations and dispensed directly into FCEVs. Our analysis of retail fuelling station economics in Los Angeles suggests that as FCEV demand for hydrogen in an area becomes sufficiently dense pipeline hydrogen delivery gains an economic advantage over truck delivery. The HyLine approach would also enable cheaper dispensed hydrogen compared with lower-pressure pipeline delivery owing to economies of scale associated with integrated compression and storage. In the largest-scale fuelling scenario analyzed (a network of 24 stations with capacities of 1500 kg/d each and hydrogen produced via steam methane reforming) HyLine could potentially achieve a profited hydrogen cost of $5.3/kg which is approximately equivalent to a gasoline cost of $2.7/gal (assuming FCEVs offer twice the fuel economy of internal combustion engine vehicles and vehicle cost is competitive). It is important to note that significant effort would be required to develop technical knowledge codes and standards that would enable a HyLine system to be viable. However our preliminary analysis suggests that the HyLine approach merits further consideration based on its potential economic advantages. These advantages could also include the value of minimizing retail space used by hydrogen compression and storage sited at fuelling stations which is not reflected in our analysis.
HyMotion- Network Supplied Hydrogen Unlocks Low Carbon Opportunities
Jun 2019
Publication
The Government’s recently published ‘Road to Zero’ strategy sets out objectives to electrify cars and reduce emissions from heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) through policies such as ending the sale of diesel and petrol cars and subsidising electric charging infrastructure. The CCC response to the strategy however stated that the proposed measures do not go far enough. New Government policies combined with action from industry will be required for mobility related carbon reduction targets to be met.<br/>Hydrogen has been identified by the Government and CCC as one potential solution. The CCC report on a possible future hydrogen economy recognises that in particular hydrogen may have an important role to play for long distance journeys and heavy goods transport. This view was echoed further in the recent CCC ‘Net Zero’ report.<br/>Cadent’s HyNet project will produce low carbon hydrogen through reformation of natural gas combined with carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS). HyNet has primarily been designed to supply low carbon heat to industry and a blend of hydrogen to Cadent’s existing natural gas network but also provides the opportunity to supply low cost hydrogen for mobility. The HyMotion project has considered the relative merits of such an approach modelled potential demand scenarios and sought to determine technical and commercial solutions to enable deployment.<br/>Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) share powertrain technologies with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) but the roll-out of BEVs is currently ahead of FCEVs. This is largely due to a lack of low cost low carbon bulk hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure both of which HyNet seeks to address.
HyDeploy Report: Summary of Gas Appliance and Installation Testing
Jun 2018
Publication
The HyDeploy project has undertaken a programme of work to assess the effect of hydrogen addition on the safety and performance of gas appliances and installations. A representative set of eight appliances have been assessed in laboratory experiments with a range of test gases that explored high and low Wobbe Index and hydrogen concentrations up to 28.4 % mol/mol. These tests have demonstrated that the addition of hydrogen does not affect the key hazard areas of CO production light back flame out or the operation of flame failure devices. It was identified that for some designs of gas fire appliances the operation of the oxygen depletion sensors may be affected by the addition of hydrogen. Testing of the gas fires that are present at Keele University that use oxygen depletion sensors have been shown to operate satisfactorily.<br/>A comprehensive onsite survey programme at Keele University has assessed 95% of the installations (126 of 133) that will receive the hydrogen blended gas during the HyDeploy trial. Where access to properties was not possible then the information obtained revealed that the appliances were annually checked either through British Gas service contracts or as a result of being rental properties. The onsite testing programme assessed installations for gas tightness and appliance combustion safety and operation with normal line gas G20 reference gas and two hydrogen blended gases. The checks identified a small number instances were remedial work was required to correct poor condition or operation. Only one case was found to be immediately dangerous which was capped off until repair work was undertaken. CO and smoke alarms were fitted in approximately half of properties and alarms were provided as required to the occupants. Gas tightness tests identified leaks in three installations. Where installations are gas tight then analysis has shown that no additional leaks would occur with hydrogen blended gas. There were no issues identified with the combustion performance of those appliances that were operating correctly and results were in line with those obtained in the laboratory testing programme.<br/>The findings of the Appliance and Installation testing program have been used to define the input values into the HyDeploy quantified risk assessment (QRA) where Keele University specific operation is different to GB as a whole or where the findings show the addition of hydrogen will change the risk profile.<br/>Click on supplements to see the other documents from this report
Hydrogen Taskforce: The Role of Hydrogen in Delivering Net Zero
Feb 2020
Publication
Hydrogen is essential to the UK meeting its net zero emissions target. We must act now to scale hydrogen solutions and achieve cost effective deep decarbonisation. With the support of Government UK industry is ready to deliver.
The potential to deploy hydrogen at scale as an energy vector has risen rapidly in the political and industrial consciousness in recent years as the benefits and opportunities have become better understood. Early stage projects across the globe have demonstrated the potential of hydrogen to deliver deep decarbonisation reduce the cost of renewable power and balance energy supply and demand. Governments and major industrial and commercial organisations across the world have set out their ambition to deploy hydrogen technologies at scale. This has created a growing confidence that hydrogen will present both a viable decarbonisation pathway and a global market opportunity. Hydrogen will have an important role to play in meeting the global climate goals set out in the Paris Climate Agreement and due to be discussed later this year at COP26.
The UK’s commitment to a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target has sharpened the conversation around hydrogen. Most experts agree that net zero by 2050 cannot be achieved through electrification alone and as such there is a need for a clean molecule to complement the electron. Hydrogen has properties which lend themselves to the decarbonisation of parts of the energy system which are less well suited to electrification such as industrial processes heating and heavy and highly utilised vehicles. Hydrogen solutions can be scaled meaning that the contribution of hydrogen to meeting net zero could be substantial.
A steady start has been made to exploring the hydrogen opportunity. Partnerships between policymakers and industry exist on several projects which are spread out right across the country from London to many industrial areas in the north east and north west. Existing projects include the early stage roll out of transport infrastructure and vehicles feasibility studies focused on large scale hydrogen production technologies projects exploring the decarbonisation of the gas grid and the development of hydrogen appliances.
The Government recently announced new funding for hydrogen through the Hydrogen Supply Programme and Industrial Fuel Switching Competition. These programmes are excellent examples of collaboration between Government and industry in driving UK leadership in hydrogen and developing solutions that will be critical for meeting net zero.
If the UK is going to meet net zero and capitalise on the economic growth opportunities presented by domestic and global markets for hydrogen solutions and expertise it is critical that the 2020s deliver a step change in hydrogen activity building on the unique strengths and expertise developed during early stage technology development.
The Hydrogen Taskforce brings together leading companies pushing hydrogen into the mainstream in the UK to offer a shared view of the opportunity and a collective position on the next steps that must be taken to ensure that the UK capitalises on this opportunity. There are questions to be answered and challenges that must be overcome as hydrogen technologies develop yet by focusing on what can be done today the benefits of hydrogen can be immediately realised whilst industry expertise and knowledge is built.
You can download the whole document from the Hydrogen Taskforce website here
The potential to deploy hydrogen at scale as an energy vector has risen rapidly in the political and industrial consciousness in recent years as the benefits and opportunities have become better understood. Early stage projects across the globe have demonstrated the potential of hydrogen to deliver deep decarbonisation reduce the cost of renewable power and balance energy supply and demand. Governments and major industrial and commercial organisations across the world have set out their ambition to deploy hydrogen technologies at scale. This has created a growing confidence that hydrogen will present both a viable decarbonisation pathway and a global market opportunity. Hydrogen will have an important role to play in meeting the global climate goals set out in the Paris Climate Agreement and due to be discussed later this year at COP26.
The UK’s commitment to a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target has sharpened the conversation around hydrogen. Most experts agree that net zero by 2050 cannot be achieved through electrification alone and as such there is a need for a clean molecule to complement the electron. Hydrogen has properties which lend themselves to the decarbonisation of parts of the energy system which are less well suited to electrification such as industrial processes heating and heavy and highly utilised vehicles. Hydrogen solutions can be scaled meaning that the contribution of hydrogen to meeting net zero could be substantial.
A steady start has been made to exploring the hydrogen opportunity. Partnerships between policymakers and industry exist on several projects which are spread out right across the country from London to many industrial areas in the north east and north west. Existing projects include the early stage roll out of transport infrastructure and vehicles feasibility studies focused on large scale hydrogen production technologies projects exploring the decarbonisation of the gas grid and the development of hydrogen appliances.
The Government recently announced new funding for hydrogen through the Hydrogen Supply Programme and Industrial Fuel Switching Competition. These programmes are excellent examples of collaboration between Government and industry in driving UK leadership in hydrogen and developing solutions that will be critical for meeting net zero.
If the UK is going to meet net zero and capitalise on the economic growth opportunities presented by domestic and global markets for hydrogen solutions and expertise it is critical that the 2020s deliver a step change in hydrogen activity building on the unique strengths and expertise developed during early stage technology development.
The Hydrogen Taskforce brings together leading companies pushing hydrogen into the mainstream in the UK to offer a shared view of the opportunity and a collective position on the next steps that must be taken to ensure that the UK capitalises on this opportunity. There are questions to be answered and challenges that must be overcome as hydrogen technologies develop yet by focusing on what can be done today the benefits of hydrogen can be immediately realised whilst industry expertise and knowledge is built.
You can download the whole document from the Hydrogen Taskforce website here
HyDeploy Overview
May 2020
Publication
An overview of the HyDeploy project at Keele University where hydrogen is being blended with natural gas to demonstrate the feasibility of using hydrogen to heat our homes.
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: Joint Undertaking Programme Review 2014 Final Report
Apr 2015
Publication
The 2014 Review is the fourth review of the FCH JU project portfolio. The reviews began in 2011 following a recommendation arising from the interim evaluation of the FCH JU which identified the need to ensure that the FCH JU project portfolio as a whole fulfilled the objectives of the Multi-Annual Implementation or Work Plan.
HyDeploy Report: Quantitative Risk Assessment of the Field Trial of Hydrogen Injection into the Keele University Gas Distribution System
Oct 2018
Publication
A consortium comprising Cadent Northern Gas Networks Keele University Health and Safety Laboratory ITM Power and Progressive Energy is undertaking the research project HyDeploy. The project funded under the UK Network Innovation Competition scheme aims to demonstrate that natural gas containing levels of hydrogen beyond the upper limit set out in Schedule 3 of in the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GSMR) can be distributed and utilised safely and efficiently in a section of the UK distribution network. It will conclude with a field trial in which hydrogen will be injected into part of a private gas distribution system owned and operated by Keele University. Dave Lander Consulting Limited and Kiwa Ltd are providing technical support to the HyDeploy project and this report presents the results of Quantified Risk Assessment (QRA) for the proposed field trial. The QRA is intended to support an application by Keele University for exemption from the legal requirement to only convey gas that is compliant with the requirements of Schedule 3 of the GSMR. The QRA is aimed at demonstrating that the field trial will not result in a material increase in risk to persons within Keele University affected by the proposed field trial.<br/>Check the supplements tab for the other documents from this report
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: Joint Undertaking Programme Review 2013 Final Report
Mar 2014
Publication
The 2013 Programme Review is the third annual review of the FCH JU portfolio of projects. This edition covers over 100 projects funded through annual calls for proposals from 2008 to 2012.<br/>The Programme Review serves to evaluate the achievements of the portfolio of FCH JU-funded projects against FCH JU strategic objectives in terms of advancing technological progress addressing horizontal activities and promoting cooperation with other projects both within the FCH JU portfolio as well as externally.<br/>The 2013 Review confirms that the portfolio of projects supported within energy and transport pillars and within its cross-cutting activities is a solid one aligned with the FCH JU strategic objectives. Industry and research collaboration is strong with SMEs making up 30% of total participants. The continued expansion of demonstration activities in both pillars answers to a greater emphasis on addressing the commercialisation challenge which is bolstered by activities in basic and breakthrough research.
Hydrogen Valleys. Insights Into the Emerging Hydrogen Economies Around the World
Jun 2021
Publication
Clean hydrogen is universally considered an important energy vector in the global efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions to the "well below 2 °C scenario" as agreed by more than 190 states in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Hydrogen Valleys – regional ecosystems that link hydrogen production transportation and various end uses such as mobility or industrial feedstock – are important steps towards enabling the development of a new hydrogen economy.<br/><br/>This report has been issued during the setup of the "Mission Innovation Hydrogen Valley Platform" which was commissioned by the European Union and developed by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. The global information sharing platform to date already features 30+ global Hydrogen Valleys with a cumulative investment volume of more than EUR 30 billion. The projects provide a first-of-its kind look into the global Hydrogen Valley project landscape its success factors and remaining barriers. This report summarizes the findings and presents identified best practices for successful project development as well as recommendations for policymakers on how to provide a favourable policy environment that paves the way to reach the Hydrogen Valleys' full potential as enablers of the global hydrogen economy.
Great Expectations: Asia, Australia and Europe Leading Emerging Green Hydrogen Economy, but Project Delays Likely
Aug 2020
Publication
In July 2020 the European Union unveiled its new Hydrogen Strategy a visionary plan to accelerate the adoption of green hydrogen to meet the EU’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050. Combined with smaller-scale plans in South Korea and Japan IEEFA believes this could form the beginnings of a global green hydrogen economy.
Green hydrogen produced exclusively with renewable energy has been acclaimed for decades but ever lower solar electricity costs mean this time really is different.
We expect the EU’s initiative to find strong support as the proposed investment of €430bn by 2030 places it in pole position to develop a world-class green energy manufacturing industry and provides a vital bridge for energy transition by repurposing existing ‘natural’ gas pipelines and fossil-fuel dependent ports.
In the past year numerous green hydrogen projects have been proposed primarily in Asia Europe Australia.
We estimate there are 50 viable projects globally announced in the past year with a total hydrogen production capacity of 4 million tons per annum and renewable power capacity of 50 gigawatts (GW) requiring capex of US$75bn.
The paper can be download on the IEEFA website
Green hydrogen produced exclusively with renewable energy has been acclaimed for decades but ever lower solar electricity costs mean this time really is different.
We expect the EU’s initiative to find strong support as the proposed investment of €430bn by 2030 places it in pole position to develop a world-class green energy manufacturing industry and provides a vital bridge for energy transition by repurposing existing ‘natural’ gas pipelines and fossil-fuel dependent ports.
In the past year numerous green hydrogen projects have been proposed primarily in Asia Europe Australia.
We estimate there are 50 viable projects globally announced in the past year with a total hydrogen production capacity of 4 million tons per annum and renewable power capacity of 50 gigawatts (GW) requiring capex of US$75bn.
The paper can be download on the IEEFA website
Heat Pump Manufacturing Supply Chain Research Project Report
Dec 2020
Publication
The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) commissioned a study to research the capacity of the manufacturing supply chain to meet expected future demand for heat pumps. This report contains analysis of the existing supply chain including component parts and also assesses the risks to and opportunities for growth in domestic heat pump manufacture and export.<br/><br/>Alongside a literature review the findings in this report were supported by interviews with organisations involved in the manufacture of heat pumps and an online workshop held with a range of businesses throughout the supply chain.
Transitioning to Hydrogen - Assessing the Engineering Risks and Uncertainties
Jun 2016
Publication
Transitioning to Hydrogen a joint report from five engineering organisations focuses on the engineering challenges of replacing natural gas in the gas distribution network with hydrogen in order to reduce emissions. The production of this report is timely following the commitment from Government this week to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050. It is expected that hydrogen will play a big part in the reduction of emissions from the heating transport and industrial sectors.<br/><br/>The report concludes that there is no reason why repurposing the gas network to hydrogen cannot be achieved but there are some engineering risks and uncertainties that need to be addressed. In the development of the report many questions were posed and members of IMechE IChemE IET and IGEM were surveyed to better understand the challenges faced by the hydrogen production and gas industries planning to undertake this ambitious transition. Further information was obtained from the Health and Safety Laboratories.<br/><br/>The report also highlights 20 ongoing projects in the UK that are looking at various aspects of hydrogen production distribution and use.
Heat Network Detailed Project Development Resource: Guidance on Strategic and Commercial Case
Jul 2016
Publication
This document provides guidance on the commercial and strategic elements of a heat network project to support completion of a project business case.
The guidance is intended for local authorities and heat network developers to support their investigations and enable progression from feasibility stage through to business case delivery. The guidance has been drafted with reference to policy legislation and regulation in England and Wales; however much of the guidance is likely also to be relevant to projects in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The guidance specifically supports the HMT Green Book Five Cases Business Model (the Five Cases Model) and the derived DBEIS Business Case Template (DBEIS BCT) that follows this structure but will also be applicable in other instances. The Five Cases Model (and similarly the DBEIS BCT) considers the viability of the project from five perspectives:
Although all five elements are relevant this guide particularly focuses on the Strategic and Commercial cases.
Related Document Heat Networks 2020
The guidance is intended for local authorities and heat network developers to support their investigations and enable progression from feasibility stage through to business case delivery. The guidance has been drafted with reference to policy legislation and regulation in England and Wales; however much of the guidance is likely also to be relevant to projects in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The guidance specifically supports the HMT Green Book Five Cases Business Model (the Five Cases Model) and the derived DBEIS Business Case Template (DBEIS BCT) that follows this structure but will also be applicable in other instances. The Five Cases Model (and similarly the DBEIS BCT) considers the viability of the project from five perspectives:
- Strategic
- Economic
- Commercial
- Financial
- Management
Although all five elements are relevant this guide particularly focuses on the Strategic and Commercial cases.
Related Document Heat Networks 2020
Roadmap to Hydrogen in the NTS - National Grid Gas Transmission
Jan 2020
Publication
DNV GL believes that the National Transmission System (NTS) will be central to the future of decarbonised energy in the UK. The future NTS could transmit natural gas hydrogen blends of the two and carbon dioxide. New pipelines will be built however a large cost-saving is available if the existing NTS assets can also be re-purposed. To move towards this future National Grid Gas Transmission wants to develop a project to trial injection hydrogen into the NTS. This is an opportunity to show that National Grid is part of the solution to achieving Net Zero. The trial will demonstrate to the Government and public that re-purposing the NTS is cost-effective safe and involves minimal disruption.
This report sets out a roadmap of projects to provide the knowledge needed for the trial. The roadmap was developed by assessing the knowledge required and how much of it already existed. The knowledge already available is summarised in this report with references to where further details can be found. Gaps in the knowledge are then described. The roadmap consists of projects to conduct work to close the knowledge gaps. The results are summarised in the figures below and in the box to the right.
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 sets out a roadmap of projects to provide the knowledge needed for the trial. The roadmap was developed by assessing the knowledge required and how much of it already existed. The knowledge already available is summarised in this report with references to where further details can be found. Gaps in the knowledge are then described. The roadmap consists of projects to conduct work to close the knowledge gaps. The results are summarised in the figures below and in the box to the right.
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.
Hydrogen – Analysis
Jun 2020
Publication
Hydrogen technologies maintained strong momentum in 2019 awakening keen interest among policy makers. It was a record year for electrolysis capacity becoming operational and several significant announcements were made for upcoming years. The fuel cell electric vehicle market almost doubled owing to outstanding expansion in China Japan and Korea. However low-carbon production capacity remained relatively constant and is still off track with the SDS. More efforts are needed to: scale up to reduce costs; replace high-carbon with low-carbon hydrogen in current applications; and expand hydrogen use to new applications.
Link to Document on IEA Website
Link to Document on IEA Website
SGN Aberdeen Vision Project: Final Report
May 2020
Publication
The Aberdeen Vision Project could deliver CO2 savings of 1.5MtCO2/y compared with natural gas. A dedicated pipeline from St Fergus to Aberdeen would enable the phased transfer of the Aberdeen regional gas distribution system to 20% then 100% hydrogen.
The study has demonstrated that 2% hydrogen can be injected into the National Transmission System (NTS) at St Fergus and its distribution through the system into the gas distribution network. Due to unique regional attributes the Aberdeen region could lead the UK in the conversion to largescale clean hydrogen. A 200MW hydrogen generation plant is planned to suit 2% blend into the NTS followed by a build out to supply the Aberdeen gas networks and to enable low cost hydrogen transport applications.
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.
The study has demonstrated that 2% hydrogen can be injected into the National Transmission System (NTS) at St Fergus and its distribution through the system into the gas distribution network. Due to unique regional attributes the Aberdeen region could lead the UK in the conversion to largescale clean hydrogen. A 200MW hydrogen generation plant is planned to suit 2% blend into the NTS followed by a build out to supply the Aberdeen gas networks and to enable low cost hydrogen transport applications.
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.
Hy4Heat Hydrogen Odorant - Work Package 2
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[1] 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 Hy4Heat website here. The report can also be downloaded directly by clicking on the pdf icon above
This report and any attachment is freely available on the Hy4Heat website here. The report can also be downloaded directly by clicking on the pdf icon above
Achievements of The EC Network of Excellence Hysafe
Sep 2009
Publication
In many areas European research has been largely fragmented. To support the required integration and to focus and coordinate related research efforts the European Commission created a new instrument the Networks of Excellences (NoEs). The goal of the NoE HySafe has been to provide the basis to facilitate the safe introduction of hydrogen as an energy carrier by removing the safety related obstacles. The prioritisation of the HySafe internal project activities was based on a phenomena identification and ranking exercise (PIRT) and expert interviews. The identified research headlines were “Releases in (partially) confined areas” “Mitigation” and “Quantitative Risk Assessment”. Along these headlines existing or planned research work was re-orientated and slightly modified to build up three large internal research projects “InsHyde” “HyTunnel” and “HyQRA”. In InsHyde realistic indoor hydrogen leaks and associated hazards have been investigated to provide recommendations for the safe use of indoor hydrogen systems including mitigation and detection means. The appropriateness of available regulations codes and standards (RCS) has been assessed. Experimental and numerical work was conducted to benchmark simulation tools and to evaluate the related recommendations. HyTunnel contributed to the understanding of the nature of the hazards posed by hydrogen vehicles inside tunnels and its relative severity compared to other fuels. In HyQRA quantitative risk assessment strategies were applied to relevant scenarios in a hydrogen refuelling station and the performance was compared to derive also recommendations. The integration provided by the network is manifested by a series of workshops and benchmarks related to experimental and numerical work. Besides the network generated the following products: the International Conference on Hydrogen Safety the first academic education related to hydrogen safety and the Safety Handbook. Finally the network initiated the founding of the International Association for Hydrogen Safety which will open up the future networking to all interested parties on an international level. The indicated results of this five years integration activity will be described in short.
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