Fourth report - The role of hydrogen in achieving Net Zero

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology should be an area of priority research interest for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and a strategic priority for UK Research and Innovation. (Paragraph 56) 72 The role of hydrogen … Read more Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology should be an area of priority research interest for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and a strategic priority for UK Research and Innovation. (Paragraph 56) 72 The role of hydrogen in achieving Net Zero Show less

View Details →

Several countries are prioritising green hydrogen in their hydrogen strategies, and it seems likely that international interest in demonstrably low-carbon hydrogen, including green hydrogen, will continue to grow. This offers an opportunity for the UK to become a leader in … Read more Several countries are prioritising green hydrogen in their hydrogen strategies, and it seems likely that international interest in demonstrably low-carbon hydrogen, including green hydrogen, will continue to grow. This offers an opportunity for the UK to become a leader in green hydrogen production and development. The Government needs to provide more clarity in its updates to market on the hydrogen strategy, with a view to guaranteeing significant green hydrogen development over the next decade. In its response to this Report, the Government should set out how it intends to support the development in the UK of green hydrogen projects at scale during this decade, to ensure that green hydrogen can be produced in the UK and so it can become cost-competitive with blue hydrogen. This should include additional efforts to reduce the cost of electrolysers. Show less

View Details →

The Government should set a 2030 target for green hydrogen production to ensure that full-scale development of green hydrogen is incentivised to take place in the short- term and to make it more likely that the UK develops a green … Read more The Government should set a 2030 target for green hydrogen production to ensure that full-scale development of green hydrogen is incentivised to take place in the short- term and to make it more likely that the UK develops a green hydrogen production capacity. The Government should be clear whether any targets it sets are for capacity to produce, or are an expectation of how much hydrogen the UK expects to produce and use. The Government should also indicate when grey hydrogen production will be phased out. (Paragraph 66) Hydrogen applications Show less

View Details →

Energy storage for electricity generation is widely recognised as an important component of the Net Zero economy, and there are several potential technologies available for energy storage. Hydrogen has unique features as a means of energy storage, since as a … Read more Energy storage for electricity generation is widely recognised as an important component of the Net Zero economy, and there are several potential technologies available for energy storage. Hydrogen has unique features as a means of energy storage, since as a clean-burning gas it can be transported through existing infrastructure and stored safely for long periods of time, if necessary. We welcome the Government’s recognition of the potential role of hydrogen as an important means of energy storage. The Government should continue to provide the necessary policy support and infrastructure for grid-scale energy storage technologies. Findings from hydrogen energy storage trials should be recorded and shared between trials to ensure that as much is learned as possible. Show less

View Details →

We welcome the trials of hydrogen buses which are taking place in the UK. The Government should continue to support such trials and come to a rapid view of the contribution that hydrogen-fuelled buses can make. Trials should consider the … Read more We welcome the trials of hydrogen buses which are taking place in the UK. The Government should continue to support such trials and come to a rapid view of the contribution that hydrogen-fuelled buses can make. Trials should consider the implications for other applications such as HGVs, and the decisions the trials will help to inform. Show less

View Details →

Several countries including Germany, Japan and Singapore have well developed hydrogen strategies with significant public funding to support the development of infrastructure, production and use of low-carbon hydrogen. Through public- private partnerships, Germany and Japan have structures intended to enable … Read more Several countries including Germany, Japan and Singapore have well developed hydrogen strategies with significant public funding to support the development of infrastructure, production and use of low-carbon hydrogen. Through public- private partnerships, Germany and Japan have structures intended to enable the development of a regulatory framework and provide confidence to consumers for private investment. The UK’s main international competitors in this field also tend to have specific bodies responsible for the delivery of their government’s targets. Given the evidence received on the importance of whole systems performance, the Government should designate or create a single department or agency with responsibility and accountability for delivering cross-departmental Net Zero commitments, including those relating to delivering the hydrogen strategy. Show less

View Details →

The Government’s hydrogen strategy and subsequent updates to the market provide a framework with an intention for further consultations rather than early or firm decisions. The Government’s understandable desire to keep its options open pending market and technological developments may … Read more The Government’s hydrogen strategy and subsequent updates to the market provide a framework with an intention for further consultations rather than early or firm decisions. The Government’s understandable desire to keep its options open pending market and technological developments may not provide the clarity that investors require to proceed. The Government needs to trade the risk of failing to meet Net Zero if decisions on how to reach it are not taken soon enough against the risk of pursuing unproven technologies or solutions that are not cost-effective which would then set the UK back at a later stage. Alongside the series of decision points between now and 2050 required to determine the role of hydrogen in the UK, the Government should, in its response to this Report, set out clear criteria to identify the potential role of hydrogen in each sector. Show less

View Details →

Whilst there is lower round-trip efficiency compared to electrification, hydrogen vehicles have the advantage of shorter refuelling times and longer ranges. This therefore makes hydrogen a potentially viable alternative to electrification for HGVs, but widespread adoption of hydrogen in HGVs can only be achieved with an The role of hydrogen …

View Details →

The energy regulator Ofgem has not worked on understanding hydrogen domestic metering and has not been able to say whether the current roll-out of smart meters will prove ineffective if hydrogen is used in domestic metering. Ofgem was also unable to provide cost estimates for how expensive a hydrogen-ready smart …

View Details →

Whilst much of the technology needed for hydrogen exists and can be scaled up with sufficient policy incentives, innovation in low-carbon hydrogen technology remains important. This includes both the further development of techniques and technologies that are already proven, and the further development, and bringing- to-market, of projects that are …

View Details →