The change over from natural gas to hydrogen?

[MattA7]

With the government’s plans to switch over from using natural gas to hydrogen to cut carbon emissions How easy/practical do you believe it will be to roll out?

I believe there was a change over in the 60s/70s but those were different times. Would it be practical nowadays.

 

[Domh245]

It'll be immensely difficult with the need to upgrade both the distribution network (pipes in the street - from iron/steel to pvc and other plastics to reduce the leaks) and the individual appliances themselves to be able to burn the hydrogen effectively. A (low H proportion) blended mix seems the most likely by means of being simplest and most roll-out-able, but a bit of a cop out.

 

[Ken X]

My boiler engineer and I chatted about this recently. He says the gas mains are generally hydrogen ready, the difference being molecule size, and that a mix of hydrogen and gas will be introduced at some point in the near future. He feels that we will be weaned onto hydrogen as a main fuel over time. I have no idea as to the likely hood of him being right but would not bet against it.

 

[DerekC]

There is a trial going ahead at Levenmouth in Fife, aiming to convert 300 homes to hydrogen as an initial experiment. The target date is next year, according to the publicity:

https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/art...and-energy/h100-fife-hydrogen-heating-network

New green project set to heat Fife homes

Levenmouth hydrogen heating network is in progress.

Gas distribution company SGN is working closely with Fife Council to bring H100 Fife to Levenmouth - the world’s first 100% hydrogen-to-homes heating network.

The project is the first of its kind to directly supply clean power to produce hydrogen gas for domestic heating as a green alternative to natural gas. SGN will offer renewable hydrogen to homes, which can be used in the same way as natural gas, with the benefit of being a zero-carbon fuel for heating and cooking.

Hydrogen gas produces no carbon emissions at the point of use and could play a key role in tackling the climate emergency.

In the first phase, the network will heat around 300 local homes using clean gas produced by a dedicated electrolysis plant, powered by a nearby offshore wind turbine.

Eligible households, including local Fife Council tenants, will be invited to participate in H100 Fife. Householders in the network area can choose to participate by opting-in for a hydrogen supply, or equally can choose to remain with their existing natural gas supply.

SGN’s demonstration facility will allow potential customers to see and experience hydrogen appliances in a home-like environment – fitted with hydrogen cooking appliances and boilers - to help inform their decision. Local people will be invited to various project engagement events including visits to the hydrogen demonstration facility in 2022, ahead of the hydrogen gas network going live in 2023.

The first 300 customers joining the project will receive a free hydrogen connection, free replacement hydrogen appliances and free maintenance over the length of the project. Customers will pay the same amount for hydrogen gas as they would for natural gas.

SGN will keep local communities in Buckhaven and Methil informed as the project progresses.

 

[MattA7]

Be interesting to see how it goes.

I think the main problems/concerns would likely be
Compatibility- would existing equipment work I know energy companies were claiming that smart gas meters weren’t compatible

Safety- hydrogen leaks more easily and is odorless increasing the hazard in the event of a leak. That is one of the main obstacles with hydrogen cars. Hydrogen also has more energy than NG so explosions would be more severe.

Environmental- there were concerns hydrogen boilers could release NOx emissions due to the high burning temperatures. Of course for it to be of any environmental benefit it must be “green hydrogen” or you are basically just moving the CO2 emissions elsewhere.

 

[Ediswan]

Safety- hydrogen leaks more easily and is odorless increasing the hazard in the event of a leak. That is one of the main obstacles with hydrogen cars.

Coal gas had an odour. Natural gas is odourless. Fixed by adding substances such as mercaptan. That should also work for hydrogen.

 

[eMeS]

...Natural gas is odourless. Fixed by adding substances such as mercaptan. ...

So why do I find it so difficult to smell it?

 

[birchesgreen]

So why do I find it so difficult to smell it?

Some of us can't smell stuff the majority can. With me its gasoline, a couple of years ago i thought my car was leaking water but my neighbour said, "Er no thats petrol!"

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Domestic gas consumption is c300TWh/pa so if we are to replace that with Green Hydrogen that means electrolysis which is about 50% efficient so that means finding 600TWh of electricity. Thats twice what the UK uses now so it doesn't sound practical to me anytime soon and thats before you consider all the changes that would be needed to the gas distribution system along with domestic boilers and cookers.

The most practical thing we can do is improve the housing stocks efficiency and increase housebuilding which provides a bigger benefit than just energy cost to homeowners.