NORTH EAST

THE NORTH EAST: DRIVING THE FUTURE OF HYDROGEN

by Chelsea Bailey

After the second instalment of the HIL 100 Breakfast Hub, this time in Durham, Hydrogen Industry Leaders highlights the main takeaways from the panel discussion and explores the potential of hydrogen in the North East. It brought together industry leaders and experts together to discuss advancements in hydrogen production and research, current collaborations, and the strategic vision to establish the North East as a global leader in the hydrogen economy.

The panel discussion featured Chris Rowell – Head of Net Zero at Tees Valley Combined Authority, Professor Tony Roskilly from Durham University, Professor Dawid Hanak from Teesside University, and Chris Verity – Hydrogen Senior Projects Manager at Northern Gas Networks.

Hydrogen is not the only solution to net zero but it has a huge part to play

The North East is leading the way for hydrogen production, with the Tees Valley producing more than 50% of the UK’s hydrogen. The region has huge ambitions to become the world’s first net zero industrial cluster by 2040.

When asked if the focus on hydrogen meant that the technology is going to be the “saviour” for the UK, Chris Rowell explained that there is no silver bullet to decarbonisation.

He said: “I wouldn’t describe hydrogen as the saviour, there is not just one path when it comes to decarbonisation. It is the same with any energy system, you can’t have just one reliance on one single technology. Hydrogen is part of the mix.”

Chris Verity agreed with Chris Rowell about hydrogen being part of the net zero puzzle: “Hydrogen is not the single solution, but it is going to be a massive part of the picture if we are going to move the quantity of energy that we need to move.”

Hydrogen is being used by Northern Gas Networks as part of an energy product to gather vital evidence about the sustainability of the existing gas network to transport hydrogen in the region.

We must take advantage of different technologies to maximise efficiency

In addition to innovative projects and pilots, the region is accelerating the transition to net zero through extensive research.

This research includes an £11 million project by Durham and Teesside University to identify challenges of production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen and develop the solutions to overcome them.

Professor Dawid Hanak echoed that hydrogen is part of the decarbonisation solution but stated when it comes to deciding what technology to focus on, it is a personal choice.

He said: “Hydrogen is part of the solution; it will help to drive down costs. It is a preference, for example, when it comes to decarbonising heating, hydrogen is a good choice for heat pumps or boilers.

It is all about deciding what is the preferable choice for you and that might be hydrogen.”

While hydrogen shows great promise, it is important to recognise that it may not be the solution for decarbonising every sector. It is about finding the right fit for each context.

By embracing a combination of technologies, we can create a resilient energy ecosystem that maximises efficiency, minimises environmental impact, and accelerates the transition to net zero.

The North East is creating a hub of hydrogen innovation and investment

The UK has set a target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Professor Tony Roskilly explained that hydrogen could be key to seeing this target reached.

He said: “Hydrogen enables us to expand on opportunities to optimise and utilise the renewable energy that we already have, and none of us knows where hydrogen will play the major role.”

This partnership will provide vital lessons on how the fuel can be used in the real world and builds on our strong relationship with Bristol Airport.

The North East’s commitment to developing a hydrogen ecosystem has set the stage for transformational change and is creating a hub of innovation and investment that could revolutionise energy, transportation and more.

Looking forward, Chris Rowell revealed that the region will be looking to advance both blue and green hydrogen: “You will see projects signed off by the government and you’ll see blue and green hydrogen projects looking for government support. You’ll see many projects progress and the emergence of others.”

To see this progression take place, Professor Dawid Hanak revealed that confidence in hydrogen needs to be amplified: “Hopefully, we will see more engagement with industry, we need to come together to talk about hydrogen challenges and solutions.”

The North East is in the perfect position to drive forward hydrogen innovation, both because of its location and its rich industrial history.

From transformative projects to extensive research, the discussions at the HIL 100 Breakfast Hub showcased the progress and breakthroughs happening in the hydrogen industry.

He continued to explain that it isn’t just the UK that is looking towards hydrogen: “At COP26, there were at least 10-12 pavilions that have said that hydrogen is their future and major export resource. The UK has got to get on board with this.”

Building the Hydrogen Economy

London 20 2 3

The Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre, Heathrow

5 July 2023 hydrogenindustryleaders.com #

Making the best use of existing infrastructure, ensuring final investment decisions are improved and building a future-proof hydrogen economy are integral aspects of building a secure hydrogen economy. HIL London will explore how the UK is performing in all these areas and the opportunities in the region.

• How do we build a future-proof hydrogen economy?

• What type of infrastructure will the industry need to develop/retrofit?

• How do we boost the amounts of final investment decisions?

• What are the main bottlenecks, and how do we make the most of these opportunities?