The North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) is calling on the Government to accelerate the use of hydrogen as an alternative heating source as the UK faces the challenge of reducing emissions from buildings and securing energy supplies over the winter.
Decarbonising domestic heat is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK as it looks to deliver on its net zero commitments. Heat is responsible for almost half of UK final energy demand and buildings are responsible for nearly 20% of all UK emissions.
In its latest report Hydrogen Heat in the North West, the NWHA states that using hydrogen for heating could cut average household emissions by 2.4 tonnes of CO2 each year, reducing residents’ carbon footprint by 35%. In the North West, if just 50% of the region’s homes used hydrogen heating, this would save three millions tonnes of CO2 each year.
Professor Joe Howe, chair of the NWHA and executive director, Energy Research Institute at the University of Chester, said: “Rising energy costs and ongoing threats to energy supplies this winter make the importance of creating home grown, low carbon alternative heating options even more of a priority.
“While we will need a mix of solutions, including electrification, the UK cannot cost effectively decarbonise its housing stock without hydrogen. Hydrogen can offer a like for like replacement for natural gas, with new ‘hydrogen ready’ boilers available now. We urge the Government to push ahead with hydrogen for heating and provide clarity on the timing for a decision. This will enable industry to prepare and invest early in the infrastructure required.”
As the existing electricity grid faces challenges of capacity, using the UK’s gas network for hydrogen heating – which already transports 2.75 times more energy than the electricity grid – will result in a more resilient energy system.
Helen Boyle, Head of Regional Development, for Cadent, said: “We welcome this new report from the North West Hydrogen Alliance, which provides a clear picture of the need for low carbon hydrogen heating in the UK’s future energy mix.
“For the UK to meet its net zero goals we need a range of energy vectors and end technologies, with hydrogen and electrification being vital. Hydrogen is a fundamental part of our clean energy revolution and it’s a key future fuel for heating homes.”
The NWHA is holding a webinar at 10am on 24 November, The role of hydrogen in decarbonising home heating with speakers from Cadent, National Grid and Bosch. Register to attend here The role of hydrogen in decarbonising home heating Tickets, Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite.
NWHA urges UK Government to embrace hydrogen transition
