Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | SIF_WWU_2_2 | |
| Title | Integrated Hydrogen Transport Hubs | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Other infrastructure and systems R&D) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 April 2023 | |
| End Date | 01 July 2023 | |
| Duration | 3 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £150,189 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | Wales | |
| Programme | ||
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%) |
| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/SIF_WWU_2_2 |
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| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | Wales and West Utilities (WWU), is partnering with Guidehouse, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), RWE and Pembrokeshire County Council to determine how co-locating hydrogen fuel production with district heating at hydrogen hubs on parts of the electricity grid where renewable generation is frequently curtailed can lower the cost of hydrogen for consumers. Both government and industry are looking for ways to efficiently decarbonise heat and transport. Green hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle technology is a credible option to decarbonise heavy good vehicles and buses, however the production and distribution of hydrogen is currently high cost. Additionally, the heat produced during electrolysis is in theory high enough to support the decarbonisation of district heating but is typically wasted. Addressing both needs in an uncoordinated manner would likely lead to inefficient investment in networked infrastructure. Taking an integrated approach to decarbonising heat and transport provides an opportunity to improve network usage and lower the cost of hydrogen production. The project partners aim to explore revenue stacking and financial optimisation of electrolysers, integrating the response to multiple energy demands and facilitating efficient infrastructure provision. Specifically, this project aims to discover how the levelised cost of hydrogen production can be reduced by co-locating electrolysers at sites where there is both a need for heat for district heating, oxygen and production of hydrogen for re-fuelling, as well as access to low-cost renewable electricity that would otherwise be curtailed. The project partners will also explore the extent to which exploiting these opportunities help to de-risk development projects. A hydrogen hub could be used by vehicles for low carbon fuel, county councils and commercial buildings looking to decarbonise their estates and renewable generators looking to use curtailed power. The discovery phase of the project will look to review available data and technology and will consider the following areas: how these integrated hydrogen hubs affect the economics of hydrogen production how their location can improve the overall efficiency of the electricity network and reduce the need for overbuilding hydrogen infrastructure the technical requirements of operating electrolysers to support both transport and heating needs. WWU and NGED are experienced in optimising investment in and operation of gas and electricity networks. Guidehouse brings international and domestic hydrogen expertise, as well as a research and economic analysis. RWE has an in depth understanding of renewable generation and curtailment while Pembrokeshire County Council have high ambitions to decarbonise their estates heating requirements and fleet. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 01/11/23 | |
