A project leveraging the Heysham 2 nuclear plant’s power and heat to produce hydrogen for zero-emission asphalt is set to make significant strides in industrial decarbonization.
The Bay Hydrogen Hub project, supported by £6.1 million (US$7.4 million) from the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, aims to supply hydrogen to Hanson’s Criggion asphalt plant in Wales. This initiative’s total funding, bolstered by contributions from a consortium consisting of EDF, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), and Vulcan Burners, stands at £15 million (US$18.2 million).
The ambitious project plans to utilize electricity and steam from the Heysham 2 nuclear power plant. This energy will drive a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) electrolyser at the asphalt plant, generating hydrogen to replace conventional fossil fuels in asphalt production. Transport of hydrogen from Heysham 2 in Lancashire to Criggion will be facilitated by high-capacity Type 4 composite road tankers.
A key focus initially will be on finalizing the design for hydrogen production, distribution, and end-use technology. Subsequent steps include transitioning the asphalt plant’s operations to use the produced hydrogen. The use of SOEC technology, coupled with nuclear-derived heat and electricity, is expected to enhance hydrogen production efficiency by over 20% compared to proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, thus providing a low-carbon and cost-effective hydrogen supply.
This project builds on earlier funding from a Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy award, which provided nearly £400,000 (US$486,000) for a feasibility study under the Bay Hydrogen Hub – Hydrogen4Hanson project. The study was conducted by Hanson UK, NNL, EDF Generation, Hynamics, CERES Power, and EDF R&D, setting the stage for demonstrating the technology at a megawatt scale by 2025.
