UK gas network firms Cadent, SGN and National Grid are to design a hydrogen strategy laying out the potential benefits of the fuel for London and the rest of the UK.

These include reducing emissions, generating jobs and skills, boosting future energy independence and reducing fuel poverty.

The study is the first stage of the ‘Capital Hydrogen’ programme for London and the southeast, which will eventually comprise a series of projects across the value chain in the region. It will identify how much hydrogen may be needed by London over the next 30 years and how it will be produced, stored and distributed.

The study will also explore how hydrogen can be blended into the existing gas grid and the feasibility and cost of a dedicated infrastructure.

“As well as creating the vision for hydrogen in London, the study will identify what steps we will need to take in order to achieve it and describes some near-term practical schemes that will help kickstart the local hydrogen economy,” says Sally Brewis, head of regional development for Cadent’s London network.

“As well as creating the vision for hydrogen in London, the study will identify what steps we will need to take in order to achieve it” Brewis, Cadent

The Thames estuary has the potential for both the production and use of low-carbon hydrogen, with good offshore wind potential and some industry, as well as an LNG import terminal at the Isle of Grain.

The study will also look at how gas networks can help connect hydrogen production in nascent energy hubs such as Bacton and Southampton with demand in London. It will run to October 2022 and seek views from key stakeholders.

Hydrogen forms a key part of the London mayor Sadiq Khan’s commitment for the capital to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. A plan published earlier this year outlines targets for more widespread use of hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen boilers.

Hydrogen plans

Cadent and National Grid are also involved in the East Coast hydrogen scheme, which will see hydrogen production from the East Coast Cluster start to be connected to other parts of the country after 2028.

The scheme aims to supply up to 4.4mn homes and 39,000 commercial and industrial sites by 2037.

Cadent has also won a competition to trial a £8mn ($10mn) hydrogen village for up to 2,000 properties in Lincolnshire by 2025, receiving £3.36mn from the government to do so and providing the rest of the finance itself.

The trial will gather the evidence needed to help the government decide whether to promote hydrogen, transported through the existing gas network, to decarbonise heat in buildings by 2026. The UK is consulting on a policy that would mandate all new boilers be hydrogen-ready by the same date—a move called for by manufacturers.

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Author: Tom Young