Hydrogen Logistics

Description

BEIS wishes to commission a research project to understand the logistical requirements associated with transitioning UK domestic properties from natural gas to hydrogen, specifically from the meter and downstream, including the associated costs, timescales and related trade-offs. Heat refers to any energy that is used, or might be used, for the purposes of heating or cooling in buildings, including cooking, providing hot water and in industrial processes. The Climate Change Act places a statutory obligation on the UK Government to make an 80% reduction in 1990 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Achieving nearly zero carbon heating continues to be identified by government analysis as an important feature of any lowest cost pathway to 2050. Heat currently accounts for ~48% of UK energy consumption and approximately one third of our greenhouse gas emissions. Almost 70% of our heat is currently generated by natural gas. 85% of households are connected to the gas grid. The Clean Growth Strategy, published in October 2017, outlines the challenges and opportunities involved in decarbonising heat in buildings and industry. It sets out that there are a range of low carbon heating technologies with the potential to support the scale of change needed. At present, it is not clear which approach will work best at scale and offer the most cost-effective, long term answer. Converting the gas grid to hydrogen is one potential option for decarbonising the UK's heat. This project will seek to understand the logistical requirements, costs, and timescales associated with transitioning UK domestic properties from natural gas to hydrogen, specifically from the meter and downstream, including the trade-offs which will impact on those costs and timescales. "Logistical requirements" will include (but not necessarily limited to): - Planning for the works/surveying the home - The training and qualification of engineers to complete the works - Arranging for access to homes as required to complete the works - Stopping the flow of gas to the home - Purging the in-home gas and heating system - Checking that the pipes downstream of the meter are safe and carrying out any necessary remedial works . (The checks referred to here are regarding standard safety checks such as inspecting pipes for leaks and ensuring safe connection to appliances etc. Checks relating specifically to the safe transportation of hydrogen will be out of scope of this project.) - Provision of kit (meters/sensors) - Provision of and installation of gas appliances (on a like-for-like basis - it is to be assumed that hydrogen appliances will be available) and ancillary works - Testing the kit and appliances - Testing the heating and gas system - Education (ensuring occupiers understand how to use the equipment safely). For the purposes of this project it should be assumed that hydrogen infrastructure is in place upstream of the meter. More details can be found in the attached ITT