Why Hydrogen?
Introduction
As we tackle the effects of climate change on our environment, the UK has legally mandated achieving Net Zero by 2050. This means the carbon we emit must not exceed the carbon we remove.
The UK remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels for energy. Natural gas, diesel and petrol all contribute heavily to carbon emissions and therefore the fuels we use need to change.
What is hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and has historically been used by industry and present in the gas network. It can replace natural gas to provide heat, in industrial processes and to fuel vehicles. Importantly, hydrogen does not produce carbon when used. The carbon footprint of hydrogen depends on how it is produced.
The most recognised types of hydrogen are:-
- Green hydrogen using electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis
- Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas with carbon capture used to collect and permanently store the carbon created.
- Grey hydrogen is produced from natural gas, with carbon released into the atmosphere.
What is hydrogen?
Historically, most hydrogen produced and used in the UK has been grey. However, as we aim to decarbonise, we are increasingly using more environmentally friendly production methods. At N-Gen, our hydrogen is low carbon. We utilise water and power from the electricity grid, supplemented by a Power Purchase Agreement to buy a share of the grid’s renewably sourced electricity, in a similar way as green tariffs can be purchased.
Why hydrogen?
Achieving Net Zero is challenging, especially for industries that rely heavily on gas, such as food and beverage manufacturing, concrete, brick, ceramics, and glass production, as well as heavy transport operators like buses, HGVs, trains, construction equipment, ports and airports. These sectors have limited options for electrification.
In addition to being compliant with Net Zero legislation the benefits of adopting hydrogen include
Government Support
Through its Hydrogen Production Business Models, the UK Government is providing financial support, to bridge the operating cost gap between low carbon hydrogen and high carbon fuels. The Government is incentivising investment in low carbon hydrogen production and use, to deliver its ambition of up to 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.
Resilience
The wheels of industry need to keep turning and having hydrogen stored mitigates against interruptions to supply and improves resilience.
Mobility
Hydrogen can be delivered to where it is needed, via pipeline or trailers.
Suitability
For industrial processes requiring high temperature heat, provided by a flame or burner and heavy goods vehicles which operate over long distances, for long hours or in rural locations, hydrogen is the only viable route to decarbonisation.
Productivity
For heavy good vehicles, being able to refuel in a similar timeframe to the way diesel is refuelled today, increases the time the vehicle is working, and reduces the downtime which would be incurred with electrification and the battery storage which would be associate with electrifying heavy good vehicles.
Familiarity
Using hydrogen offers a very similar experience to using natural gas, petrol or diesel today, making it a direct replacement in many applications.
Disruption
Hydrogen can be a turnkey solution, meaning it is less disruptive and requires less downtime than electrification.
Local
Hydrogen is produced locally, eliminating reliance on imported fuels and the price uncertainty this brings.
