Report highlights hydrogen needed to meet net zero
A new industry study by Hydrogen UK has claimed it is “critical” to have a hydrogen network to reach net zero targets and energy security requirements.
According to the report, hydrogen can ease the pressure on our electricity system and reduce costs by making use of current assets.
There are five key recommendations for the acceleration of hydrogen networks to boost the overall place of the energy source in the UK economy:
1. Take interim measures to facilitate design and planning before the design of Transport Business Models
2. Design Regulated Asset Base models in both growth and steady state phases
3. Create a strategic planning body which facilitates the coordination between networks and storage infrastructure projects
4. Political commitment to the development of a national network of 100% hydrogen pipelines
5. A national strategy to decarbonise industry.
Government policy has reflected the growing role of hydrogen to the UK’s overall energy mix. The Energy Security Strategy will see the UK’s hydrogen production increase to 10GW by 2030.
Announcing the report’s publication, Hydrogen UK’s Head of Policy Brett Ryan said: “We know that hydrogen will play a vital role in the UK’s transition to net zero. This report highlights the importance of accelerating the deployment of hydrogen networks for boosting UK energy security and help the UK reach its net zero commitments.
Horace Wheeler, Head of Net Zero Economics at Cadent Gas Ltd, said: “Following the government’s consultation on hydrogen transportation and storage, this report provides a clear lens on the next steps needed to make hydrogen a reality.”
Tim Harwood, Hydrogen Programme Director at Northern Gas Networks added that the report “demonstrates beyond doubt” that the UK requires a mix of all types of low carbon energy and Joss Clarke, Head of External Affairs at SGN, said the study also showed how the UK can “capture the existing benefits” of infrastructure for net zero “as quickly as possible”.
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