Looks like an interesting project:
https://hydeploy.co.uk/
Greener Gas for a Net Zero future:
https://cadentgas.com/innovation/projec ... ole-of-gas
Blog: Net Zero domestic heat is postponed but still very much on its way:
https://cadentgas.com/news-media/news/a ... estic-heat
HyDeploy
Moderator: Peak Moderation
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adam2
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At present I see no need for this project.
That however should not preclude tests and trials so as to prepare for a future when this might be needed.
At present we very seldom have a surplus of renewably generated electricity. It has happened under the present virus induced lockdown, but seems unlikely to be often repeated.
Bulk hydrogen production requires a great deal of "virtually free" electricity. Building a hydrogen production facility will only be worthwhile if it sees a reasonable amount of use.
Natural gas in bulk often costs about 2 pence a unit. If the conversion of electricity into hydrogen is 50% efficient then the electricity needs to cost under 1 penny a unit.
After allowing for the costs of building the plant, rates, insurance, depreciation, wages and other costs of doing business then I doubt that hydrogen would be cheaper than natural gas even with completely free electricity.
The position could be slightly improved if there was a market for the oxygen produced, for medical or industrial purposes. Such demands are however continuous with limited uses for an intermittently available supply.
I also have doubts about the suitability of hydrogen enriched natural gas for EVERY gas burning appliance in the nation. It should be fine for most applications but not perhaps for every existing appliance.
Excessive gas pressure atop hills and in tall buildings might also be a problem.
Still perhaps worth doing tests and trials in case the idea becomes more worthwhile in the future.
That however should not preclude tests and trials so as to prepare for a future when this might be needed.
At present we very seldom have a surplus of renewably generated electricity. It has happened under the present virus induced lockdown, but seems unlikely to be often repeated.
Bulk hydrogen production requires a great deal of "virtually free" electricity. Building a hydrogen production facility will only be worthwhile if it sees a reasonable amount of use.
Natural gas in bulk often costs about 2 pence a unit. If the conversion of electricity into hydrogen is 50% efficient then the electricity needs to cost under 1 penny a unit.
After allowing for the costs of building the plant, rates, insurance, depreciation, wages and other costs of doing business then I doubt that hydrogen would be cheaper than natural gas even with completely free electricity.
The position could be slightly improved if there was a market for the oxygen produced, for medical or industrial purposes. Such demands are however continuous with limited uses for an intermittently available supply.
I also have doubts about the suitability of hydrogen enriched natural gas for EVERY gas burning appliance in the nation. It should be fine for most applications but not perhaps for every existing appliance.
Excessive gas pressure atop hills and in tall buildings might also be a problem.
Still perhaps worth doing tests and trials in case the idea becomes more worthwhile in the future.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"