First UK trial of hydrogen blended gas hailed a success

The results of the first phase of a ground-breaking green energy project, that could help Britain dramatically cut its carbon emissions and open the door to a low-carbon hydrogen economy, have been published today.

Hydrogen produces no carbon dioxide when used, making it a viable alternative for heating homes and businesses to achieve the Government’s target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, unlike natural gas, which is responsible for over 30 percent of carbon emissions.

Steve Fraser, Chief Executive of Cadent said:

“I would like to thank the customers at Keele University for their willingness to take part in this trial. HyDeploy is a ground-breaking collaboration and has demonstrated very clearly that consumers can safely receive up to 20% hydrogen blended with natural gas, without the need to make any changes to their existing appliances.

“With 8 in 10 of our homes in the UK heated by natural gas – it is an energy we are familiar with. Adopting hydrogen blending across the gas networks would save carbon emissions equivalent to removing 2.5m cars from our roads – a huge step towards Net Zero.

“Importantly customers experienced no disruption and felt positively towards using hydrogen blends and the trial.  Blending hydrogen into the natural gas network is a critical stepping-stone in helping the UK reach Net Zero by 2050.”

Gas safety checks were carried out in the homes and buildings in the trial area. Laboratory tests were carried out on a range of gas appliances, as well as extensive research on the effect of hydrogen on the different materials found in the gas network and the appliances.

Keele resident Rob Meredith said:

“I was excited to be a part of this trial. I found that using hydrogen blended had no impact on any of my gas appliances, and I carried on cooking and using my heating like normal.”

Professor Trevor McMillan, Vice Chancellor of Keele University said:

“We’re delighted that Keele University has been able to play a crucial role in blending hydrogen into the natural gas network. HyDeploy has been a perfect fit for Keele University’s sustainability ambitions as an institution we are proud to have been able to use our campus and involve our staff and residents in this landmark project.”

The success of the trial at Keele University has paved the way for a larger pilot project at Winlaton, near Gateshead where 668 houses, a school and some small businesses have been receiving hydrogen blended gas on a network operated by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) since early August 2021.

Mark Horsley, CEO at NGN said:

”The results delivered by the Keele project gave the Health and Safety Executive the confidence to approve the first blending of hydrogen with natural gas on the public gas network. We’re delighted that our customers in Winlaton are now using their gas as normal whilst playing a vital role in the decarbonisation of the gas network. This next phase of HyDeploy will provide more vital evidence about the possibilities of blending hydrogen into the gas network across the UK, as an important stepping-stone to decarbonising heat.”

See more here: hydeploy.co.uk

Header image: FuelCellsWorks

Editor’s note: PSI furnishes this article for information only. We do not support, or see any need for, ‘decarbonising’ the economy.

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Comments (6)

  • Avatar

    Howdy

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    “There are four main sources for the commercial production of hydrogen: natural gas, oil, coal, and electrolysis; which account for 48%, 30%, 18% and 4% of the world’s hydrogen production respectively”
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_production
    I can only assume this Hydrogen mix will be from the same product. Still, just claim it as renewable, like Ethanol. If the scam works for vehicle fuel, why not?

    Reply

  • Avatar

    Michael La Belle

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    When will people come to realize that carbon isn’t a problem? In order to feed the world we need MORE CO2. 30% of the increase in food production is DIRECTLY linked to higher levels of CO2.

    Reply

  • Avatar

    Charles Higley

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    Wait until they try to up the proportion of hydrogen toward 100% H2. Then, things will start breaking down, as H2 molecules can penetrate metals and convert them to hydrides, which are brittle. H2 for cars is problematic if stored under pressure, degrading the metal faster under pressure. The idea of storing hydrogen in a metal sponge is cute, but to get the gas out of the sponge, it has to be heated. Heating hydrogen under any conditions is a very bad idea. The good news is that H2 burns upward, being a lighter-than-air gas. So, when the cars explode, most of the fireball will go up and not outward.

    Reply

  • Avatar

    Shawn Marshall

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    More CO2 is highly beneficial to life as is the gentle warming of the last 150 years. The double lie of global warming alarmism – that warming is dangerous: that CO2 causes warming – is evidence that in this age of massive information the manipulators of scientism have taken the public for a ride much as Lysenko did in Stalinist Russia. The Father of LIes is grinning in delight.

    Reply

  • Avatar

    Alan

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    They don’t say how the hydrogen is produced and at what cost. But it all is based on carbon dioxide being a problem, which it isn’t.

    Reply

    • Avatar

      Phil Inman

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      No, to me is just another money skimming scam.. It will be less for us and more for those that are certified IN on they H2 equipment. When I read an article that discusses CO2 as bad, PCR test as anything but bogus, or election anomalies I want to puke. Instead, I find something that might teach me something.

      Reply

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