In order to better understand the relationship between hydrogen production, water availability, emerging technologies, and the potential role water utilities can play in the hydrogen value chain throughout the UK and Ireland, a new project working group is being led by UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR).

The project’s research is being conducted by Stantec, a leader in sustainable engineering and design worldwide, with assistance from Heriot Watt University, Ikigai, a consulting co-developer, and a bankability accelerator. In the coming years, the project will probably determine how the hydrogen in water sector operates.

The UK Hydrogen Strategy aims to produce 10 GW of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030, which will help it achieve its 2050 objective of net zero emissions. Water will play a significant role in this government goal, whether blue hydrogen or green hydrogen is utilised.

The study will investigate the influence on resources while examining the viability of scaling up hydrogen generation in relation to water use.

The project team will carry out a high-level work program that examines the most recent technologies (using power and/or bioenergy as feedstocks) and, in the end, offers recommendations about the best business models for engaging water companies. The initiative intends to provide water corporations and other stakeholders from the water and energy sectors with timely support to help them achieve their goals for carbon reduction.

It is anticipated that the final report, which will compile the results of the work program, would be released in the spring of 2023. The results will subsequently be discussed at a technology transfer workshop with invited participants.

Ikigai is now directing the development of the hydrogen ecosystem for both the Thames Estuary and Glasgow Airport industrial clusters in addition to providing advice to UKWIR.