Why Hydrogen?
Hydrogen is essential to decarbonise industry
As we tackle the effects of climate change, the UK has legislated for the amount of carbon we emit to no longer exceed the carbon we remove from the environment by 2050.
The UK remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels for energy. Natural gas, diesel and petrol all contribute heavily to carbon emissions and therefore the fuels we use need to change.
What is hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and has historically been used by industry and present in the gas network. It can replace natural gas to provide heat, in industrial processes and to fuel vehicles. Importantly, hydrogen does not produce carbon when used. The carbon footprint of hydrogen depends on how it is produced.
The most recognised types of hydrogen are:-
- Green hydrogen using electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis
- Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas with carbon capture used to collect and permanently store the carbon created.
- Grey hydrogen is produced from natural gas, with carbon released into the atmosphere.
What is hydrogen?
Historically, most hydrogen produced and used in the UK has been grey. However, to decarbonise, we need to use more environmentally friendly production methods. At N-Gen, we utilise water and power from the electricity grid to produce hydrogen, supplemented by a Power Purchase Agreement to buy a share of the grid’s renewably sourced electricity, in a similar way as green tariffs can be purchased.
Why hydrogen?
Decarbonising is challenging, especially for industries that rely heavily on gas, such as food and beverage manufacturing, concrete, brick, ceramics, and glass production, as well as heavy transport operators like buses, HGVs, trains, construction equipment, ports and airports. For these sectors replacing gas with electricity can be costly and technically not viable.
In addition to decarbonising, the benefits of adopting hydrogen include
Government Support
Through its Hydrogen Production Business Models, the UK Government is providing financial support, to bridge the operating cost gap between low carbon hydrogen and high carbon fuels.
Resilience
The wheels of industry need to keep turning and as hydrogen can be stored, it mitigates against interruptions to supply and improves resilience.
Mobility
Hydrogen can be delivered to where it is needed, via pipeline or trailers.
Suitability
For industrial processes requiring high-temperature heat from burners or flames, and for heavy-duty vehicles operating over long distances, extended hours, or in rural areas, low-carbon hydrogen offers the most practical and scalable pathway to decarbonisation.
Productivity
For heavy goods vehicles, being able to refuel in a similar timeframe to diesel today reduces the downtime compared to electrification and the battery storage required.
Familiarity
Using hydrogen offers a very similar experience to using natural gas, petrol or diesel today, making it a direct replacement in many applications.
Disruption
Hydrogen can be a turnkey solution, meaning it is less disruptive and requires less downtime than electrification.
Local
Hydrogen is produced locally, eliminating reliance on imported fuels and the price uncertainty this brings.
