UK government awards contracts for technical research into hydrogen for heating
The UK government has awarded contracts to undertake technical research and evidence gathering to assess skills and standards for the use of hydrogen in heating.
The publication of the awards gives insight into the technical issues the government believes to be of greatest importance before it makes a decision on whether to allow 100% hydrogen to be used in UK heating systems.
About 20% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions are created by domestic heating, hot water, and cooking. Burning hydrogen in boilers creates only heat and water, and no carbon emissions. Blends of up to 20% require no changes to domestic appliances, while boilers that can run on either natural gas or hydrogen have already been built by manufacturers including Worcester Bosch and Baxi.
Evaluations of 100% hydrogen for domestic heating and cooking have been overwhelmingly positive thus far, yet the government has set a date of 2026 to decide on the role of hydrogen in heating.
About 20% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions are created by domestic heating, hot water, and cooking. Burning hydrogen in boilers creates only heat and water, and no carbon emissions.
The UK’s first homes fuelled entirely by 100% hydrogen were opened to the public in July last year, featuring prototype hydrogen fires, cookers and hobs. A larger trial H100 Fife will test 100% hydrogen in about 300 homes using hydrogen produced by a dedicated electrolysis plant powered by a nearby offshore wind turbine. An even-larger trial – a hydrogen village including up to 2,000 homes and other buildings – is targeted for 2025.
The contract awards are divided into five lots. The first – Hydrogen Purging, Tightness and Material Compatibility – is being led by Stroud-based Steer Energy Solution. It will carry out research into purging of piped gas systems to identify where additional data is required to permit safe procedures for domestic and non-domestic environments.
It will also look at the compatibility of existing pipework and fittings on the consumer side of the emergency control valve in the context of gas tightness (i.e., ensuring there are no leaks).
A hydrogen village including up to 2,000 homes and other buildings – is targeted for 2025.
Lot 2 – Hydrogen Material and Component Suitability – is being led by Cambridge-based engineering consultant TWI Ltd, which will carry out a study and, if necessary, perform its own research into which materials are suitable for use with hydrogen on the consumer side of the emergency control valve, both domestic and non-domestic.
Lot 3 – Hydrogen Installation Ventilation and Flues – is being led by Cheltenham-based Kiwa Ltd, which is seeking to fill gaps in the evidence base around specific ventilation and flueing projects. Scenarios being investigated include inter-floor piping, and flueing requirements of appliances such as hydrogen gas fires.
Lot 4 – Hydrogen Pipe Sizing and Pressure Drop Criteria – is being led by Dorking-based Frazer-Nash Consultancy, and is concerned with questions around the appropriate standard sizes of pipework that can deliver hydrogen in adequate quantities to provide energy for hydrogen-burning appliances.
Lot 5 – Hydrogen Meter Ventilation Study and Excess Valve Installation and Set-Point – is being led by Loughborough-based GL Industrial Services Ltd. It will carry out research into internal and external meter housing, ventilation requirements and the potential for humidity or water build-up.
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