In-depth Q&A: How will the UK’s hydrogen strategy help achieve net-zero?
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Hydrogen will be “crucial” for achieving the UKs net-zero target and might fulfill up to a third of the countrys energy needs by 2050, according to the government.
Firm choices around the extent of hydrogen use in domestic heating and how to ensure it is produced in a low-carbon way have been postponed or put out to consultation for the time being.
The UKs brand-new, long-awaited hydrogen method offers more information on how the government will support the development of a domestic low-carbon hydrogen sector, which today is virtually non-existent.
Professionals have warned that, with hydrogen in short supply in the coming years, the UK needs to prioritise it in “hard-to-electrify” sectors such as heavy market as capacity expands.
Why does the UK need a hydrogen method?
Its adaptability implies it can be utilized to take on emissions in “hard-to-abate” sectors, such as heavy industry, however it presently experiences high prices and low efficiency..
In its new strategy, the UK government makes it clear that it sees low-carbon hydrogen as a crucial part of its net-zero plan, and says it desires the nation to be a “international leader on hydrogen” by 2030.
A current All Party Parliamentary Group report on the function of hydrogen in powering market consisted of a list of needs, mentioning that the federal government must “broaden beyond its existing commitments of 5GW production in the upcoming hydrogen strategy”. This call has actually been echoed by some industry groups.
As with most of the governments net-zero strategy files so far, the hydrogen plan has actually been postponed by months, resulting in unpredictability around the future of this fledgling industry.
As the chart listed below shows, if the federal governments plans come to fruition it could then expand significantly– making up between 20-35% of the nations total energy supply by 2050. This will require a significant growth of facilities and abilities in the UK.
The file contains an expedition of how the UK will expand production and develop a market for hydrogen based on domestic supply chains. This contrasts with Germany, which has actually been looking to import hydrogen from abroad.
Business such as Equinor are continuing with hydrogen developments in the UK, but market figures have alerted that the UK threats being left. Other European nations have actually pledged billions to support low-carbon hydrogen expansion.
Prior to the new method, the prime ministers 10-point plan in November 2020 consisted of plans to produce 5 gigawatts (GW) of yearly low-carbon hydrogen production capability in the UK by 2030. Currently, this capacity stands at practically absolutely no.
In some applications, hydrogen will contend with electrification and carbon capture and storage (CCS) as the finest ways of decarbonisation.
The level of hydrogen usage in 2050 envisaged by the strategy is rather higher than set out by the CCC in its newest suggestions, but covers a similar variety to other studies.
The strategy does not increase this target, although it keeps in mind that the federal government is “knowledgeable about a possible pipeline of over 15GW of jobs”.
Hydrogen is widely viewed as an essential component in strategies to accomplish net-zero emissions and has actually been the subject of significant hype, with many countries prioritising it in their post-Covid green recovery plans.
Hydrogen development for the next decade is expected to begin slowly, with a federal government aspiration to “see 1GW production capability by 2025” set out in the method.
There were also over 100 referrals to hydrogen throughout the governments energy white paper, reflecting its possible usage in many sectors. It also includes in the commercial and transportation decarbonisation strategies launched previously this year.
Today we have actually released the UKs first Hydrogen Strategy! This is our plan to: kick-start an entire market let loose the market to cut expenses increase domestic production unlock ₤ 4bn of personal capital support 9k tasks #BuildBackGreenerhttps:// t.co/ aHZTr5yYeR– Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) August 17, 2021.
Hydrogen need (pink location) and percentage of last energy consumption in 2050 (%). The central variety is based on illustrative net-zero constant scenarios in the 6th carbon budget plan effect evaluation and the complete variety is based on the whole variety from hydrogen strategy analytical annex. Source: UK hydrogen technique.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has actually noted that, in order to hit the UKs carbon budget plans and accomplish net-zero emissions, decisions in areas such as decarbonising heating and lorries need to be made in the 2020s to allow time for facilities and car stock changes.
The plan also called for a ₤ 240m net-zero hydrogen fund, the creation of a hydrogen neighbourhood heated up with the gas by 2023, and increasing hydrogen blending into gas networks to 20% to minimize reliance on gas.
Critics likewise characterise hydrogen– the majority of which is currently made from gas– as a way for nonrenewable fuel source companies to maintain the status quo. (For all the advantages and drawbacks of hydrogen, see Carbon Briefs thorough explainer.).
What variety of low-carbon hydrogen will be prioritised?
Close.
CO2 equivalent: Greenhouse gases can be expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent, or CO2eq. For a provided quantity, different greenhouse gases trap different amounts of heat in the environment, an amount understood as … Read More.
The strategy keeps in mind that, in many cases, hydrogen used electrolysers “might become cost-competitive with CCUS [carbon utilisation, storage and capture] -allowed methane reformation as early as 2025”..
Supporting a variety of jobs will offer the UK a “competitive benefit”, according to the federal government. Germany, by contrast, has said it will focus solely on green hydrogen.
The method states that the percentage of hydrogen provided by particular technologies “depends upon a series of presumptions, which can just be tested through the marketplaces reaction to the policies set out in this strategy and genuine, at-scale implementation of hydrogen”..
However, there was considerable pushback on this conclusion, with other scientists– including CCC head of carbon spending plans, David Joffe– mentioning that it relied on really high methane leak and a short-term procedure of worldwide warming capacity that emphasised the impact of methane emissions over CO2.
The CCC has actually previously stated that the federal government ought to “set out [a] vision for contributions of hydrogen production from various paths to 2035” in its hydrogen strategy.
In May, S&P Global Platts reported that Rita Wadey– hydrogen economy deputy director at the Department for Business, Energy & & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)– said that, instead of “blue” or “green”, the UK would “think about carbon intensity as the primary element in market development”.
Short (hopefully) reflecting on this blue hydrogen thing. And then cherry-picked an environment metric to make it look as bad as possible.
This opposition came to a head when a recent study led to headlines stating that blue hydrogen is “worse for the environment than coal”.
At the heart of lots of conversations about low-carbon hydrogen production is whether the hydrogen is “green” or “blue”.
In the example selected for the consultation, gas paths where CO2 capture rates are below around 85% were left out..
The previous is essentially zero-carbon, but the latter can still result in emissions due to methane leaks from gas infrastructure and the fact that carbon capture and storage (CCS) does not catch 100% of emissions..
The CCC has previously specified “suitable emissions reductions” for blue hydrogen compared to fossil gas as “a minimum of 95% CO2 capture, 85% lifecycle greenhouse gas cost savings”.
Many scientists and ecological groups are sceptical about blue hydrogen offered its associated emissions.
As it stands, blue hydrogen used steam methane reformation (SMR) is the most inexpensive low-carbon hydrogen offered, according to federal government analysis consisted of in the method. (For more on the relative expenses of different hydrogen ranges, see this Carbon Brief explainer.).
Green hydrogen is made using electrolysers powered by renewable electrical energy, while blue hydrogen is used gas, with the resulting emissions recorded and kept..
Glossary.
The figure listed below from the assessment, based upon this analysis, reveals the impact of setting a limit of 15-20gCO2e per megajoule (MJ) of hydrogen (red bar). In this example, those production approaches above the red line, consisting of some for producing blue hydrogen, would be left out.
It has actually also released an accompanying report, prepared by consultancies E4Tech and Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST), which takes a look at optimum appropriate levels of emissions for low-carbon hydrogen production and the method for calculating these emissions.
Prof Robert Gross, director of the UK Energy Research Centre, informs Carbon Brief that, in his view, it is “probably a bit unhelpful to get too preoccupied with the blue vs green hydrogen debate”. He states:.
The brand-new strategy mainly prevents using this colour-coding system, however it says the government has actually devoted to a “twin track” technique that will consist of the production of both ranges.
CO2 equivalent: Greenhouse gases can be expressed in regards to co2 equivalent, or CO2eq. For an offered amount, different greenhouse gases trap different amounts of heat in the environment, an amount referred to as the worldwide warming capacity. Carbon dioxide equivalent is a method of comparing emissions from all greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide.
The government has actually released an assessment on low-carbon hydrogen standards to accompany the method, with a promise to “settle style components” of such requirements by early 2022.
The chart below, from a document laying out hydrogen costs launched together with the primary method, shows the expected declining expense of electrolytic hydrogen over time (green lines). (This consists of hydrogen used grid electricity, which is not technically green unless the grid is 100% renewable.).
Comparison of price estimates across various technology types at main fuel prices commissioning from 2020 to 2050, ₤/ MWh hydrogen. Source: Hydrogen Production Costs.
2021.
The CCC has actually cautioned that policies should establish both blue and green alternatives, “rather than simply whichever is least-cost”.
For its part, the CCC has advised a “blue hydrogen bridge” as a beneficial tool for achieving net-zero. It states permitting some blue hydrogen will decrease emissions faster in the short-term by changing more fossil fuels with hydrogen when there is not enough green hydrogen available..
The document does refrain from doing that and rather says it will supply “further detail on our production method and twin track approach by early 2022″.
” If we want to demonstrate, trial, start to commercialise and then roll out the usage of hydrogen in industry/air travel/freight or anywhere, then we need enough hydrogen. We cant wait until the supply side deliberations are complete.”.
Jess Ralston, an analyst at thinktank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), stated in a statement that the government ought to “be alive to the danger of gas industry lobbying causing it to commit too greatly to blue hydrogen and so keeping the nation locked into fossil fuel-based innovation”.
How will hydrogen be utilized in different sectors of the economy?
Juliet Phillips, senior policy advisor and UK hydrogen specialist at thinktank E3G tells Carbon Brief the strategy had “left open” the door for usages that “dont include the most worth for the environment or economy”. She includes:.
The brand-new strategy is clear that market will be a “lead option” for early hydrogen usage, beginning in the mid-2020s. It likewise states that it will “likely” be essential for decarbonising transport– especially heavy items vehicles, shipping and aviation– and stabilizing a more renewables-heavy grid.
” As the strategy confesses, there will not be considerable amounts of low-carbon hydrogen for some time. [] we require to use it where there are few options and not as a like-for-like replacement of gas,” Dr Jan Rosenow, director of European programmes at the Regulatory Assistance Project, in a declaration.
It includes plans for hydrogen heating trials and assessment on “hydrogen-ready” boilers by 2026.
Illustrative hydrogen demand in 2030 (blue) and 2035 (purple). Source: UK hydrogen technique.
Some applications, such as industrial heating, may be essentially difficult without a supply of hydrogen, and numerous professionals have actually argued that these hold true where it need to be prioritised, a minimum of in the brief term.
So, my lovelies, I simply dropped Version 4 of the Clean Hydrogen Ladder! For anybody brand-new to all this, the ladder is my attempt to put use cases for clean hydrogen into some sort of merit order, because not all use cases are equally most likely to prosper. 1/10 pic.twitter.com/I8HpqQjlKS— Michael Liebreich (@MLiebreich) August 15, 2021.
One notable exemption is hydrogen for fuel-cell traveler vehicles. This is constant with the federal governments focus on electrical automobiles, which numerous researchers deem more effective and cost-effective innovation.
The federal government is more optimistic about using hydrogen in domestic heating. Its analysis recommends that as much as 45TWh of low-carbon hydrogen might be put to this usage by 2035, as the chart listed below suggests.
” Stronger signals of intent could guide public and private investments into those areas which add most value. The government has actually not plainly laid out how to decide upon which sectors will take advantage of the preliminary planned 5GW of production and has rather largely left this to be figured out through trials and pilots.”.
Responding to the report, energy scientists pointed to the “miniscule” volumes of hydrogen anticipated to be produced in the near future and urged the federal government to select its top priorities thoroughly.
However, the beginning point for the variety– 0TWh– recommends there is substantial unpredictability compared to other sectors, and even the highest estimate is only around a 10th of the energy presently used to heat UK houses.
The strategy also consists of the option of utilizing hydrogen in sectors that might be much better served by electrification, particularly domestic heating, where hydrogen has to complete with electric heat pumps..
Require proof on “hydrogen-ready” commercial equipment by the end of 2021. Require evidence on phaseout of carbon-intensive hydrogen production in industry “within a year”. Stage 2 of the ₤ 315m Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.A ₤ 55 million Industrial Fuel Switching 2 competition in 2021.
The CCC does not see comprehensive use of hydrogen outside of these restricted cases by 2035, as the chart below programs.
The committee emphasises that hydrogen use must be restricted to “locations less matched to electrification, especially delivering and parts of industry” and providing flexibility to the power system.
Dedications made in the new strategy consist of:.
Federal government analysis, consisted of in the method, suggests potential hydrogen demand of as much as 38 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, not including mixing it into the gas grid, and rising to 55-165TWh by 2035.
Coverage of the report and federal government marketing products emphasised that the federal governments strategy would supply enough hydrogen to change gas in around 3m homes each year.
This is in line with the CCCs suggestion for its net-zero pathway, which sees low-carbon hydrogen scaling approximately 90TWh by 2035– around a third of the size of the present power sector.
Although low-carbon hydrogen can be used to do whatever from sustaining vehicles to heating houses, the truth is that it will likely be limited by the volume that can probably be produced.
In the real report, the federal government stated that it expected “overall the demand for low carbon hydrogen for heating by 2030 to be relatively low (<< 1TWh)".. Michael Liebrich of Liebreich Associates has actually organised using low-carbon hydrogen into a "ladder", with existing applications-- such as the chemicals industry-- given top priority. 4) On page 62 the hydrogen strategy specifies that the federal government expects << 1 TWh of energy for heating to come from hydrogen by 2030. 1 TWh is 0.2%. Lastly, in order to create a market for hydrogen, the federal government says it will examine mixing up to 20% hydrogen into the gas network by late 2022 and objective to make a final choice in late 2023. Gniewomir Flis, a task manager at Agora Energiewende, tells Carbon Brief that-- in his view-- mixing "has no future". He describes:. Much will hinge on the development of feasibility research studies in the coming years, and the federal governments approaching heat and buildings strategy may also supply some clearness. " I would recommend to go with these no-regret alternatives for hydrogen need [in industry] that are already offered ... those need to be the focus.". How does the government strategy to support the hydrogen industry? However, Anne-Marie Trevelyan-- minister for energy, tidy growth and environment change at BEIS-- informed the Times that the cost to provide long-term security to the market would be "really little" for private households. Now that its method has actually been published, the federal government states it will collect evidence from assessments on its low-carbon hydrogen standard, net-zero hydrogen fund and the company model:. " This will give us a better understanding of the mix of production technologies, how we will meet a ramp-up in need, and the function that new technologies could play in accomplishing the levels of production required to meet our future [6th carbon budget plan] and net-zero dedications.". Sharelines from this story. As it stands, low-carbon hydrogen remains pricey compared to fossil fuel alternatives, there is uncertainty about the level of future demand and high dangers for business intending to go into the sector. According to the governments news release, its preferred model is "constructed on a similar facility to the offshore wind agreements for distinction (CfDs)", which significantly cut expenses of new offshore wind farms. The new hydrogen strategy verifies that this company model will be finalised in 2022, making it possible for the very first contracts to be designated from the start of 2023. This is pending another assessment, which has been released along with the primary technique. Hydrogen need (pink area) and percentage of final energy consumption in 2050 (%). My lovelies, I just dropped Version 4 of the Clean Hydrogen Ladder! Call for proof on phaseout of carbon-intensive hydrogen production in industry "within a year"." As the method admits, there wont be considerable quantities of low-carbon hydrogen for some time. 4) On page 62 the hydrogen strategy mentions that the government anticipates << 1 TWh of energy for heating to come from hydrogen by 2030. The 10-point strategy included a pledge to establish a hydrogen service model to encourage personal financial investment and an income system to offer financing for business model. These agreements are developed to conquer the expense gap between the favored technology and fossil fuels. Hydrogen producers would be provided a payment that bridges this space. Much of the resulting press protection of the hydrogen technique, from the Financial Times to the Daily Telegraph, concentrated on the prepare for a hydrogen market "subsidised by taxpayers", as the cash would come from either greater bills or public funds.