Sheffield, renowned for its historic steel production, is on the cusp of a transformative shift that could significantly reduce carbon emissions.
A government-funded study, supported by the city’s industrial stakeholders, has unveiled the potential of switching Sheffield’s iconic steel forges from natural gas to locally produced green hydrogen. This pioneering endeavor, led by E.ON in collaboration with Chesterfield Special Cylinders, Glass Futures, the University of Sheffield’s Energy Institute, and Sheffield Forgemasters, could curtail CO2 emissions by an impressive 40%.
The epicenter of this green revolution is the Blackburn Meadows renewable energy park, where innovative minds and industry leaders are working together to explore the production of green hydrogen for Sheffield’s steelmakers and the energy-intensive industries of South Yorkshire.
The motivation for this shift towards green hydrogen is clear. Sheffield’s steelmakers are actively seeking cleaner alternatives to natural gas for their forging and industrial processes. Early operational findings from trials involving three pioneering manufacturers have demonstrated that sustainable hydrogen not only maintains production quality but also reduces emissions by a remarkable 41.8% compared to natural gas. These inaugural manufacturers are on track to save a substantial 3,500 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Government support is a key driver of this initiative. £1 million of funding from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), a part of the government’s £1 billion commitment to achieving net-zero emissions, bolsters the efforts of Yorkshire’s collaborative partners. This funding supports a comprehensive assessment of the commercial and engineering requirements for generating, transporting, and utilizing hydrogen. Additionally, it aids in the development of a commercial framework for industrial customers. If these efforts prove successful, the next phase will involve a technical pilot project situated at the Blackburn Meadows sewage processing site on the outskirts of Sheffield in Tinsley. This could pave the way for further expansion if the project proceeds to a full-scale commercial demonstration.
Chris Lovatt, E.ON’s UK Solutions’ Chief Operating Officer, underscores the pivotal role of hydrogen in the future of energy, particularly in powering energy-intensive industries and long-distance transport. He emphasizes that green hydrogen complements other green initiatives such as heat pumps for domestic heating and district energy schemes in urban areas. Lovatt acknowledges the challenges that must be overcome for this solution to become viable for the industry but expresses confidence in the project’s progress, bolstered by government funding, to explore the potential of green hydrogen as a solution for Sheffield’s world-renowned steelmakers.
Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian from Sheffield Uni’s Energy Institute applauds the project’s advancement to a second stage with UK Government funding. He emphasizes the critical importance of precise technological solutions to reduce emissions efficiently and highlights the university’s contributions, including computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling and in-depth hydrogen research. These efforts are vital steps toward industrial decarbonization and beyond, ensuring that alternative solutions are tested, scaled, and implemented with maximum efficiency.
The move towards green hydrogen in Sheffield represents not only a significant stride towards carbon reduction but also a testament to the city’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. Sheffield’s historic steel industry is on the verge of a transformation that could set an example for carbon-intensive industries globally, proving that a cleaner and greener future is not only desirable but achievable through collaborative efforts and technological innovation.
