A pilot project to reduce emissions by mixing hydrogen with the natural gas supply to residential properties in the North of England has been deemed a success.
The innovative project, called HyDeploy Phase 2, has been operating for 11 months in a school, a church, and 668 homes in the town of Winlaton, Gateshead. 20% hydrogen by volume was mixed into the existing natural gas network. Customers continued to use their gas supply and appliances as normal – including boilers, cookers and heaters. No adverse effects were found.
HyDeploy Phase 1 was a smaller pilot which saw 100 homes and 30 commercial buildings in a closed network on the campus at Keele University successfully employ a natural gas/hydrogen blend for a period of 18 months, which ended in spring 2021.
A report of the findings will be submitted to the UK government, which is considering blending hydrogen into the existing natural gas network. A decision is due to be taken next year.
The HyDeploy Phase 2 project will continue. Several other pilot projects using hydrogen mixed with natural gas are in operation or being planned at the present time. Two locations have been shortlisted by energy regulator Ofgem for the Hydrogen Village project, which will see natural gas replaced with hydrogen in around 2000 residential properties.
Dr Angela Needle, Director of Strategy at Cadent, a gas distribution network company involved in the HyDeploy project, said, “By blending hydrogen into the gas network, the people in Winlaton could start using a greener gas without having to make any changes to their home or the way they use their heating and cooking. Forming part of the evidence we are putting to Government to enable their 2023 policy decision on blending hydrogen into the gas networks as a means to support decarbonization targets.”