The technology

What is hydrogen?

Hydrogen can be used for heat, power and even fuel for large vehicles like HGVs. When it’s burned, no carbon emissions are released. Hydrogen holds a lot of energy so it’s great for transporting large amounts of energy to where it’s needed.

Hydrogen at the scale required has to be made either through electrolysis or through reforming methane. Both methods can be used in a way that keeps carbon emissions to a minimum.

Increasing the use of hydrogen as a fuel will mean cutting down on carbon emissions produced from conventionally used fossil fuels such as gas and coal.

What is low carbon hydrogen?

The HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline would transport low carbon hydrogen produced by EET Hydrogen.

The UK Government’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard sets a maximum threshold for the amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed in the production process for hydrogen to be considered ‘low carbon’.

There are many different ways of making low carbon hydrogen. This includes green hydrogen which is produced by the electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy and blue hydrogen which is produced by splitting natural gas. The carbon dioxide created by this process is then captured and stored.

The HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline and wider hydrogen network would connect both blue and green hydrogen production plants. Green hydrogen production is expected to increase as the UK generates more renewable energy and builds facilities to produce this type of hydrogen.

Both green and blue hydrogen are expected to play an important role in the UK’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050.

Why hydrogen?

In 2019, the UK emitted 351.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the use of fossil fuels, accounting for 81 percent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s widely accepted now that the use of fossil fuels needs to reduce. The way we heat our homes, run our vehicles and power our industries have all contributed to climate change. We’re looking for solutions that balance environmental targets with customer needs.

In order to supply the increasing energy demands of the UK, we will need a combination of approaches. Renewable electricity from wind and solar can do a lot, but to reach 100 per cent net zero and support energy security we will certainly need hydrogen as well, alongside better insulated homes and smarter use of energy. We aim to see electricity and green gas like low carbon hydrogen being used together in partnership.

Hydrogen announcements

In December 2023, the Government made several announcements relating to hydrogen and published a Hydrogen Transport and Storage Networks Pathway. The strategy sets out the approach to developing a low carbon hydrogen sector in the UK to meet the ambition for 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.

This includes the ambition of a core hydrogen network, which would support industry, particularly in ‘hard to electrify’ sectors, and would provide greener, flexible energy across power, heat and transport.

It also supports increasing levels of hydrogen production, to contribute to the 10GW target, providing flexibility and security in our energy system.

You can read more here