Testbed scheme boosts hydrogen for homes ambition

A testbed hydrogen-for-heat scheme has been deemed a success, paving the way for larger trials in real homes.

As part of the scheme, a series of prototype hydrogen-ready cooking and heating appliances have been developed with the help of a government-backed programme.

The final report on the Hy4Heat programme, which was funded by the government in partnership with Cadent and Northern Gas Networks, has been published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Hy4Heat saw the development of the UK’s first show homes with cooking and heating appliances fuelled entirely by hydrogen, at a pair of semi-detached properties at Low Thornley, Gateshead.

The programme, which ended late last year, was designed to demonstrate that hydrogen can be used safely and effectively.

It also marked a key step in the government’s efforts to roll out hydrogen in homes, which includes subsequent and larger demonstration projects at village and town levels.

The government aims to push ahead with plans for one hydrogen village trial at the end of this year. There are currently two proposals shortlisted including Cadent’s trial in Whitby and Northern Gas Networks’ scheme in Redcar.

Hydrogen-ready appliances developed as part of the Hy4Heat scheme include boilers, hobs, cookers and fires.

The greatest progress has been achieved in domestic appliances, although many contractors felt further work is still needed to test the reliability of products before they can be implemented in a real-life setting, according to the report.

The report also highlighted as one of Hy4Heat’s most important achievements a letter from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which states that there are no substantial safety barriers to hydrogen’s introduction for heating system demonstration projects.

The report says, according to the HSE’s 2021 risk assessment, that using 100% hydrogen can be as safe as natural gas for heating and cooking in standard construction detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses.

The pioneering heating and cooking appliances developed through Hy4Heat have also raised the potential for UK firms to gain a first mover advantage in terms of future export opportunities, says the report.

The Hy4Heat evaluation has emerged as the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee has published a new report on hydrogen and carbon capture today (10 March).

It recommends that the UK government should mandate hydrogen-ready boilers for all suitable new or replacement installations as soon as practicable and at least by the end of the next Parliamentary session.

This step would ready millions of properties to switch to hydrogen and with lower conversion costs if the government decides to allow the gas’ use for home heating, says the report.

The committee also warns that the UK will fail to meet its net zero targets unless carbon capture is rolled out at scale.

It calls for the Acorn Project in St Fergus, Aberdeenshire, where 35% of the UK’s natural gas is currently brought onshore, to be added to the two hydrogen and carbon capture clusters already identified by the government.

However the report raises concerns that the UK and Scottish governments have different targets for hydrogen production and achieving net zero.

The committee calls on the two governments to explain how they will work together to ensure their respective targets for meeting net zero, 2045 and 2050 for Scotland and the UK respectively, are met.

It also asks for clarity on how the Scottish and UK governments’ 2030 hydrogen production targets, which are 10GW and 5GW respectively, align and whether either is achievable.

The report recommends that the two governments should both set interim targets for hydrogen production, including beyond 2030.

The report also recommends that the UK government should establish an action plan to identify and address economic and regulatory barriers for hydrogen storage to ensure that such facilities will be available once hydrogen is being produced on a large-scale.

The committee’s chair, Pete Wishart MP, said: “Net zero is little more than a pipe dream without carbon capture. The hydrogen potential is clearly there, and our committee is impressed with projects where energy companies are piloting green energy projects around Scotland making use of our vast renewable energy potential.

“But the twin-track approach that the UK government is committed to introducing, leaves gaping policy holes: none more so than around carbon capture. It is deeply disappointing that the Acorn Project, that already has much of the necessary infrastructure in place, has been put on the backburner and the lack of any certainty is majorly denting industry confidence. Clarity must be given at next week’s Budget.

“If the policy gaps are addressed, and the UK government jumps on the opportunities in Scotland, we could be a major exporter of clean energy with thriving clusters and local economies.”