The UK government’s Energy Security Strategy, which will be released on Thursday, is expected to quadruple the government’s aim for hydrogen generation.
Low-carbon hydrogen is viewed as a critical component of a more sustainable energy system, having the potential to replace natural gas in residential heating, industrial energy supply, and industrial transportation.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng established a target of 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen capacity for use throughout the economy by 2030.
That ambition is poised to quadruple, with industry sources forecasting a new target of 10GW of capacity comprised of 50% “green” hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources and 50% “blue” hydrogen that produces CO2 as a byproduct that is absorbed.
The government forecasts that hydrogen will need to provide up to 35% of the UK’s energy supply by 2050 in order to meet its net zero energy targets. Currently, the UK produces almost no low-carbon hydrogen.
Ministers believe the UK is well-positioned to establish a hydrogen economy, given the country’s expanding wind energy capability, and have already set aside £240 million in a Net Zero Hydrogen fund to co-finance projects.
Campaigners have urged the business to focus on green hydrogen, which is produced by electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources, which separates water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Blue hydrogen generation is a carbon-intensive technique that involves combining natural gas and steam to generate hydrogen. Carbon capture technology transforms the process into a zero-emission one. Hydrogen emits no carbon dioxide.
It is quite adaptable and may be used to generate heat or power in fuel cells or boilers, turbines or engines. Additionally, it can be stored and transferred in the same way as natural gas or liquid fuel is, and is frequently utilized in chemical and industrial operations.
Hydrogen with a low carbon footprint is being considered as a possible replacement for natural gas in energy-intensive businesses.
Some huge vehicles already run on hydrogen, boosting expectations that it may eventually serve as a long-term replacement for diesel in freight vehicles that are too large to be battery-powered.
A spokesperson for Renewables UK, which represents the renewables industry, said: “Innovative technology like this will play an important part in our future energy mix: if the government does indeed bring forward 5GW green hydrogen target by 2030, as Kwasi Kwarteng is suggesting, this could replace 5% of total UK gas demand by the end of the decade.
“Green hydrogen generated from renewables has a key role to play in reaching net zero as quickly as possible.
“We need to ramp up the roll-out of green hydrogen as a clean fuel for sectors which have proved difficult to decarbonise so far, such as shipping and heavy industry.”
The Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy declined to comment, although Mr Kwarteng tweeted that the UK would “would go further” present targets.
“Global hydrogen production is set to boom – we’re going to grab as much market share as possible,” he wrote.
“This home-grown super fuel could power British industry, homes and transport. We’re set to generate 5GW this decade, but will go further in this week’s Energy Security Strategy.”
His comments came as he also commissioned the British Geological Survey to conduct a new scientific study of the impact of fracking for shale gas.
It comes less than two years after a North Sea Transition Authority report laid the groundwork for a government prohibition on fracking.
Conservative backbenchers and Lords have pushed for its repeal, arguing that shale gas can provide abundant fuel and contribute to energy security.
Ministers, on the other hand, remain skeptical. According to BEIS polls, fracking remains unpopular with the public, with 45 percent against and only 14 percent in favor, and would take at least a decade to complete.
The review enables the administration to convey to fracking advocates on its own benches that it remains receptive while maintaining its position that it will proceed only if the evidence justifies it.
