AhydrogenvisionfortheUKHowtheevolutionofaUK-widehydrogennetworkcanunlockeconomicgrowth,provideconsumerchoiceandbolsterenergysecurityApril2023ThevoiceofthenetworksContributingPartnersThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKOverthenext27yearsallhomes,businessesandindustriesmustmoveawayfromtheunabatedfossilfuelsthatcurrentlymeetmostofourenergydemandstocleanalternativeslikerenewables,nuclearandhydrogen.Thistransitiontocleanenergywillrequiresignificantchange.Someofthesechanges,likebuildingnewoffshorewindfarms,maygounnoticedbyconsumers.Otherchangeswillrequireustoadjustourbehaviour;forexample,shiftingtoelectricvehicles,replacingindustrialfossilfuelequipmentandexchangingthenaturalgasboilersthatheatourhomesandbusinessestodayforlowcarbonalternatives.Thescaleandpaceofthischangewilleclipseanythingseeninthesectorbefore.Wewillneedarangeoflowcarbontechnologiestodecarboniseourenergysystem.Hydrogencouldplayacriticalpartofthisstory,projectedtoprovidebetween20-35%ofourenergydemandby2050,1deliveringourclimateandsecuritygoalsinawaythatensurestheenergyweneedisaffordable.Thismeansaneedforrenewables,nuclear,biofuelsandenergyefficiency,aswellasotheremergingtechnologiessuchascarboncaptureandstorageandbatteries.Butwithouthydrogeninthemix,therecanbenoNetZero.Buildingourgreenerfuturewillrequireinnovation,investmentandrapidinfrastructuredevelopment.Yetagainstsuchchallenge,thereisopportunity.Acleanenergysystemwithenergysecurityandaffordabilityatitsheartwillbenefitcompanies,communitiesandconsumersalike.Withtherightcommitmenttochange,andtherightpolicyandregulatoryframeworkinplace,wecanusethistransformationtodelivereconomicgrowth,jobsandacleaner,greenerworldthatwillbegoodfortheUKtodayandforthegenerationsthatfollowtomorrow.Itwillneednewinfrastructure.Wewillneedtorepurposetoday’spipestosafelyandreliablymovethehydrogenweneedaround.Wewillalsoneednewfacilitiestostorehydrogenbetweenwhenitisproducedinsummertowhenitisneededinwinter.Andwewillalsoneednewappliancesinindustry,businessandhomestoturnthehydrogenintouseableenergy.ThegasnetworksinGBandNorthernIrelandarecommittedtoplayingaleadingroleindeliveringthis.GBnetworkoperatorsstandreadytoinvest£6.8bn2bytheendofthedecadeinhydrogen-focusedprojects,whilstdeliveringonthecoreroleofsafelyandreliablymovingenergyaroundthecountryfromwhereitisproducedtowhereitisused.Thisreportisavisionforhowtodojustthat,showinghowtheinfrastructurewehavetodaycanevolvefromonebasedonthesupplyoffossilfuelstooneprovidingthebackboneofacleanhydrogensystem.Thisdecadeiscritical;wemustmovefromtalkingaboutchangetodeliveringit.TheambitiousgovernmenthydrogentargetsacrosstheUKwillonlybemetwithclarity,focusandpartnership.ThegasnetworksarereadytoplaytheirpartintheUK’senergyfuture.Theyhaveaplan,knowwhatisneededtodeliveritandaretakingthenecessarystepstodojustthat.LawrenceSladeFEIChiefExecutiveLawrenceSladeFEIChiefExecutiveEnergyNetworksAssociation1.https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1011283/UK-Hydrogen-Strategy_web.pdf2.https://www.energynetworks.org/industry-hub/resource-library/gas-goes-green-innovation-impacts.pdfForewordEnergytoucheseverypartofoureconomy–andweareonthebrinkofamajortransformationinhowwebothproduceanduseit.03April2023Ourfivepledges1.PlayaleadroleindeliveringagainsttheUK'shydrogenambitions2.Conductfurtherresearchandtestinginanopenandtransparentmanner3.EngageconsumeacrossounetworksdeliveringNetZeroSteveFraserChiefExecutiveOfficerCadentGasPaddyLarkinChiefExecutiveOfficerMutualEnergyJonButterworthChiefExecutiveOfficerNationalGasMarkWildOBEChiefExecutiveOfficerSGN04ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKMoredetailonthesepledgescanbefoundonp.25▶ewithersursonng4.Workcollaborativelywithallstakeholdersacrossthesectorusinga‘wholesystems’approach5.InvestinbothdevelopingaskilledworkforceforthefutureandaUKsupplychainMarkHorsleyChiefExecutiveOfficerNorthernGasNetworksGrahamEdwardsOBEChiefExecutiveOfficerWales&WestUtilities05April2023CONSUMERNETZEROECONOMYAhydrogenvisionforthefutureOursharedvisionisonewherehydrogenwillhaveacrucialroletoplay,alongsideothertechnologies,intheenergysystemofthefuture.ItwillofferconsumerschoicewhenitcomestodecarbonisationandcandeliversignificanteconomicvalueforcommunitiesacrosstheUK.ConsumerDeliveringforthewantsandneedsofconsumers,whethertheybeindustrial,commercialorresidential;complementingothertechnologiesbyofferingadecarbonisationroutewhichmaybecheaperandlessdisruptiveforsome.NetZeroTransformingournetworktodeliverNetZeroenergyfortheUK,tacklingclimatechangeandimprovingairquality.EconomySupportingajusttransitiontocleanenergywithjobs,economicvalueandenergysecurity;growingtheUK’sdomestichydrogeneconomywhilstdeliveringwiderbenefitstocommunitiesacrossthecountry.06ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKHydrogenisessentialforNetZero“OuranalysishasdemonstratedmultiplepathwaystoNetZerointheUK.Inallofthem,it’sclearwewillneedalotofcleanhydrogen.”CHRISSTARKCEO,CLIMATECHANGECOMMITTEE(CCC)EXTRACTFROMCOMMENTSMADEBYCHRISONANIGEM-HOSTEDTOUROFUKHYDROGENPROJECTSToday,in2023,theUK(andtheworld)islargelydependentonfossilfuels–forpower,transport,industrialprocessesandourfoodsystem,aswellasforheatinghomes,businessesandpublicsectorbuildingslikeschoolsandhospitals.PoliticiansandthepublicareunitedintheambitiontoachieveNetZeroby2050,thoughtheprecisepathtoreachthisisnotyetknown.Whilstwemaynotbeabletosayhowmuchofeachlowcarbontechnologywewillneed,itisclearthathydrogenisanessentialpartofthefuturelowcarbonenergysystemin2050,hereintheUKandacrosstheworld.Putsimply,withouthydrogen,therewillbenoNetZero.PowerCleanrenewableswillprovidethebackboneofourfutureelectricitysystem.Cleansourcesofback-uppowerandenergystoragewillcomplementtheseassetstoensurethelightsstayonwhenthesunisn’tshiningorthewindisn’tblowing.Hydrogenwillbeoneofthesecleanback-upsources.DomesticheatTechnologieslikeheatpumpsandheatnetworkshaveamajorroleindecarbonisingourheatandhotwater,howeverhydrogenislikelytobethebestsolutionforsomeconsumers,dependingonwheretheylive,thecharacteristicsoftheirhomeandhowtheyuseheat.TransportElectricvehicleswillbedominantinpersonalcars,vanfleetsandsometrainsandtrucks,howeverhydrogen-poweredvehicleswillberequiredtofulfillheavy-dutytransportneeds,suchasshipsandplanes.Itwillalsobeneededtofuelsomelorries,coachesandlongerbusroutes,aswellasemergencyandconstructionvehicles,andagriculturalmachinery.IndustryManyindustries,includingthosethatmakethechemicals,steelandhouseholdgoodsweallrelyon,willneedthehightemperatureprocessheatthatlowcarbonhydrogenwillsupply.ThiswillbecriticaltodecarbonisingtheseindustriesandkeepingjobsintheUK.07April2023Gasnetworksareusingthetoolsweareresponsiblefortodeliverthisvisionforconsumers.Withoutgaspipelineinfrastructure,weriskincreasingthecostofthetransitiontocleanenergy,forcingindustryandbusinessestorelocateandunderminingpublicsupportforNetZero.ThisiswhytheUK’sgasnetworkshavebeenworkingtogetheronaplanforreadyingtheexistingnetworkstodeliverNetZerointhemostcost-effectiveandleastdisruptivewaypossible-ablueprintthroughwhichourgasnetworkscanmeetthechallengesandopportunitiesofclimatechange.Hydrogencanofferalowertotalcostofdecarbonisation,providechoiceandkeepUKbusinessescompetitive.ENAworkhasalreadydemonstratedabalanceddecarbonisationsolutionthatincludesasignificantroleforhydrogentransformation,alongsidebiogasesandelectrification.Thereisgoodevidencetosuggestthatthisbalancedapproachisthemostcost-effectivewaytodecarbonise,producinganestimatedsavingofaround£13bnayearby2050inGBalone.3A2050energysystemwithhydrogenwillmakeuseoftheUK-wideundergroundpipenetworkbuiltandpaidforbyconsumersoverdecades-reducingtheneedfornew,abovegroundinfrastructurewhichcouldbedisruptiveforthecommunitiesthatwouldlivearoundit.ThousandsofbusinessesandindustrialsitesacrosstheUKarelookingforalowcarbongastomeettheircarbonreductionrequirementsandremaineconomicallycompetitive.Manycompaniesarealreadyworkingwithgasnetworkstodaytointroducehydrogenintotheirmanufacturingprocesses.Otherlowcarbongasessuchasbiomethanewillalsoplayimportantrolesalongsidehydrogen.Wewillbeevaluatingtheinterplaybetweenhydrogenandbiomethaneinfuturework.3.ENA,GasDecarbonisationPathways,https://www.energynetworks.org/assets/images/Resource%20library/ENA%20Gas%20decarbonisation%20Pathways%202050%20FINAL.pdfHydrogencangetthebestuseoutofourexistinginfrastructure“HydrogentransportandstorageinfrastructurewillbeacriticalenablertomeetGovernment’sambitionfor10GWofhydrogenproductionby2030.”JANETOOGOODUKHYDROGENCHAMPIONEXTRACTFROMHERMARCH2023REPORTACCELERATINGTHEGROWTHOFTHEHYDROGENSECTOR:UKHYDROGENCHAMPIONRECOMMENDATIONS08ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUK4.ENA,Britain’sHydrogenNetworkPlan,https://www.energynetworks.org/industry-hub/resource-library/britains-hydrogen-network-plan.pdfHydrogenunlocksmultiplebenefitsfortheendconsumerFullUKdecarbonisationTherewillbenoNetZerowithouthydrogen.ModellingfromUKGovernment,NationalGridandtheCCCallshowconsumerswillneedhydrogeninthefutureNetZeroenergysystem.LowerNetZerocostENAanalysishasshownthatamixoflowcarbonheatingsolutionscouldsaveconsumersasmuchas£13bnayearby2050intheUK,comparedtoanall-electrificationscenario.ConsumerchoiceTherearearangeoftechnologieswhichcanhelpconsumerstodecarbonise.Therearescenarioswherehydrogenmaywellbecheaperandlessdisruptiveforsome.Hydrogenenablesconsumerchoice.JobsandskillsProtectingandcreatingjobsinthegassectorandwidereconomy,withpotentialtocreate221,000jobsby2050.4GrowthopportunityTheUKhydrogeneconomywillneedhomegrownsupplychains,providingnew,skilledjobsandnewareasofmanufacturingthatcanexporttoconsumersinamulti-trillionpoundglobalhydrogenmarket.IncreasedenergysecurityHydrogencanbeproduced,storedandusedflexibly.Excessrenewableenergycanproducehydrogen,providingenergystorageandback-uppowergeneration,givingconsumersconfidenceinthesecurityoftheirenergysupply.RelianceandresilienceAdiverseenergysystemismoreresilient.Gasnetworksoffer99.999%supplyreliability,withconsumersexperiencingunplannedsupplyinterruptions,onaverage,onlyonceinevery140years.09April2023Throughengagementwithconsumersacrossournetworks,ithasbecomeincreasinglyclearthatmovinghydrogenthroughthegasnetworkisnotjustrequiredfordecarbonisationandcost-effectivenessbutisamajoropportunityforgrowingtheUKeconomyanddeliveringajusttransitiontocleanenergy.ThegasnetworksinGBalonestandreadytoinvest£6.8bninhydrogen-focusedprojectsby2031/32.5HydrogenUKestimatesinvestmentinthewiderhydrogensupplychaincoulddeliver£18bneconomicvalueandcreate75,000jobs,6andspecifically,withinthegasnetworks,investmentisexpectedtodeliver13,337jobs(a33%increaseonthecurrent40,000strongworkforce),withafurther11,486createdinthewidersupplychainby2031/32.Throughthisinvestment,andfurtheractionupto2050,thegasnetworkswillbethebackboneoftheUKhydrogeneconomy:lProvidingcleanfuelwithlowornocarbonemissionstokeyindustries,manufacturers,ports,schools,hospitalsandagriculture.●Protectingandcreatingjobsinthegassectorandwidereconomy,withpotentialtocreate221,000jobsby2050.7●BoostingexportpotentialforUKhydrogencompaniestosellintoafuturemulti-trillionpoundmarket.Maximisingopportunitiesforeconomicgrowth,energysecurity,andsupportingcost-effectiveconsumerbillsanddecarbonisationwillrequireajoint-endeavourbetweenindustryandtheGovernment.Asthemapsinthisreportillustrate,thegasnetworkswillinvesttoensurewearereadyforwhateverroleisrequiredofus.However,thiswillrequirepolicyandpoliticalsignalsfromWestminster,aswellaslocalgovernment,inordertocontinuetoprogressatpace.5.ENA,NetZeroInnovationImpacts,https://www.energynetworks.org/industry-hub/resource-library/gas-goes-green-innovation-impacts.pdf6.EconomicImpactAssessment,HydrogenTaskforce,Economicvaluenumberisgrossvalueadded.7.ENA,Britain’sHydrogenNetworkPlan,https://www.energynetworks.org/industry-hub/resource-library/britains-hydrogen-network-plan.pdf“HydrogenpresentsasignificanteconomicopportunityfortheUKandcouldtransformourNorthSeaenergyindustryandindustrialheartlands.”CHRISSKIDMORECHAIROFTHEINDEPENDENTGOVERNMENTREVIEWONNETZEROEXTRACTFROMTHEMISSIONZERO:INDEPENDENTREVIEWOFNETZEROHydrogencanbeauniqueUKeconomicgrowthstoryGovernmentWillsetthestrategyandframeworkstounlockinvestmentThejointendeavorOutcomeIndustryWillprovidethecapitalanddeliveryexpertiseMaximumbenefitstoUKeconomicgrowthandcost-effectiveconsumerbills10ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKNONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIAndrexReplacingnaturalgaswithhydrogentopowertheirtoiletpaperfactoryWrightbusGreenhydrogenproductionprojectinBallymenatopowerhydrogenbusesinNorthernIrelandDistilleriesHarnessinghydrogentoprovideheatfordistillationQuornUsinghydrogentodecarbonisefoodproductionoperationsFelixstowePort100MWelectrolytichydrogenfacilitytodecarbonisetheUK’sbusiestportTate&LyleExploringtheuseofhydrogentodecarbonisethesugarrefineryprocessLanzatech’sProjectDRAGONAcommercial-scalefacilitytotransformwastegasesintosustainablejetfuelRWEPembrokeNetZeroCentre100-300MWelectrolytichydrogenfacilitywithopportunitytosupportGW-scaleFloatingOffshoreWind(FLOW)intheCelticSeaAirbusZeroEmissionDevelopmentCentreforhydrogentechnologies11April2023TheUK’sgasnetworkconsistsofover280,000kmofpipes;enoughtotravelaroundtheworldseventimes.Around75%ofthegasdistributionpipelineshavebeenreplacedundertheIronMainsRiskReductionProgramme–aschemewhichwillseeatotalinvestmentof£28bn.8Asaresult,thegasnetworksalreadystandinastrongpositiontotransitiontonew,lowcarbongases.Newpolicyannouncementsareacceleratingthedevelopmentofthehydrogeneconomyinordertoincreasesystemresilience,andprepareforrapidscaleupinthe2030sinlinewiththeHydrogenStrategyandSixthCarbonBudget.Governmenttargetsforoffshorewindwillseeahugeincreaseinfixedandfloatingoffshorewindaroundourcoasts.Therewillbetimeswhentheelectricitygeneratedfromourwindresourcesoutstripsdemand.Winddevelopersunderstandthatgreenhydrogenproductionisanopportunitytoavoidcurtailment,whichcostUKconsumersover£500min2022fromonshorewindfarmsalone.ThisiswhySGNisconductingastudytoassessthepotentialvolumeofgreenhydrogenproductioninScotlandfromexistingcurtailedrenewableenergydevelopmentsandfromplannedassets.Similarly,developersofnewnuclear–atgigawattandsmallmodularscale–areexploringhowtointegratehydrogenintotheirsites,whereheatfromnuclearplantsoffershighefficiencyproduction.AsMissionZerostated:“nuclearstationsalsoproduceverylargevolumesoflowcost,lowcarbonheat.HistoricallythisheathasnotbeenutilisedintheUK.ButintheNetZerocontext,therearearangeoffutureopportunitiestotakeadvantageofit,throughforexampleimprovingtheefficiencyofhydrogenproduction”.9Asaresult,theGovernment’scommitmenttoscaleuptheUK’snuclearfleetprovidesadditionalopportunityforhydrogenproduction.DuetotheextensivecapacityoftheUK’sgasnetworks,greaterlevelsofinvestmentintonewrenewableprojectscouldbeunlockedifproducershaveaccesstopipelinestocarrytheirhydrogentoaconsumer.Asaresult,networksarecommonlyseenasenablingpartnersinnewenergyandindustrialdecarbonisationprojectsacrosstheUK.Forthefirsttime,Britain’sgasnetworkshavecometogether,alongsideMutualEnergyfromNorthernIreland,toshowtheopportunitytodevelopaUK-widehydrogeneconomybetween2030and2050.Wehavedevelopedaseriesofmaps,outlinedinsubsequentpagesofthisreport,depictingaplausiblevisionfortherolloutofhydrogenandtheinfrastructuretosupportit.In5-yearincrements,themapsshowwhatagradualshifttoahydrogen-basednetworkcouldlooklike.Theyshowwherepipesarebeingrepurposedtokeeptransitioncostsdownforconsumers,supportedbystrategicnewbuildinfrastructure.Thesemapsarerootedinrobustmodelling,completedin2021,whichwe’vecollaboratedwiththeUKGovernmenttodevelop.ThisisknownastheCommonFutureEndStates(or“CFES”)modelling.Thescenarioreflectedinthesemapsisthe“H5”scenariofromthismodelling,whichisanambitiousyetrealisticscenariofortherolehydrogencouldplayintheenergysystemofthefuture.WehavecollaboratedwithMutualEnergyinNorthernIrelandtosupplementthismodellingwithplausibleestimatesfortherolloutofhydrogeninNorthernIrelandaswell.10Themapsarebasedon:l354TWhofhydrogeninthe2050energysystem,whichisapproximatelyhalfofcurrentUKnaturalgasdemandforheatingandisbroadlyalignedwithprojecteddemandintheClimateChangeCommittee’s“Headwinds”andNationalGrid’s“SystemTransformation”scenarios.l17mhomessuppliedbyhydrogenand14mbyelectricalternativesin2050(thesefiguresalsoreflecthousingstockgrowthinthisperiod).l50TWhofhydrogenstoragedeliveredby2050,whichisroughlyfivetimesthecurrentnaturalgasstoragecapacityintheUK.Mappingoutthepotential8.HydrogenUK,HydrogenNetworks,https://hydrogen-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/HUK_Recommendations-for-the-Acceleration-of-Hydrogen-Networks_online-Jan23.pdf9.MissionZero,https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128689/mission-zero-independent-review.pdf10.EstimatesforthepercentageofconnectionstothehydrogennetworkinNorthernIrelandhavebeenextrapolatedfromdatainareportproducedbyGuidehousein2021forthefivegasnetworksinNorthernIreland12ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKSince2021therehasbeenanincreaseinambitionfromUKgovernmentinrelationtohydrogenwhichwehavesoughttofactorintothemaps,usingourknowledgeofactivityonthegroundtoreflectthisinthemaps.Thisincludes:Giventhescaleofthenetworkbothtodayandinfuture,themapsshowonlyrepurposedandnewtransmissionpipelines.Itisimportanttonotethatthedistributionnetworktransportingourgasunderthestreetsandroadsofourvillages,townsandcitiesisalsobeingrepurposedwherenecessarytounderpinthistransition.Thiswillhappenalongsidetheworkonthetransmissionnetworkindicatedonthemaps.Aswedeliverthehydrogennetworkindicatedonthemaps,theremainderofthenetworkwillcontinuetotransportnaturalgassafelyandreliablytothosewhorelyonit.Thevolumeofnaturalgasweusewilldeclineovertimeasconsumersconverttocleanalternativessuchaslowcarbonelectricityandhydrogen.Asaresult,andasthemapsshow,by2050thevolumeofenergytransportedbythegasnetworktransportswillbesignificant,butlessthantoday.Alongsidethemapsofpipelineinfrastructure,wehavealsoindicatedwhereweexpecttoseelikelysitesforhydrogenproduction,carboncaptureandstoragefacilities,hydrogenstorageandhydrogenusedinanumberoftransportapplications(aviation,ruraltrainsandhydrogenrefuelingstations).Longterm,theremaywellalsobesignificanteconomicopportunityfromhydrogenexport,whichwehaveindicatedonthemaps.NetworksareengagingnowwithelectrolyticandCCUS-enabledhydrogenproductiondeveloperstoassesstheirneedsandensuretheyarereadytoplayasupportingroleingettingprojectsofftheground.Asthemapsillustrate,thegasnetworkswillenablenationwideproductionanduseofhydrogenacrosstheUKto:lUnlockthefullrangeofeconomicbenefitsitoffersineachpartofthecountry.lProvidechoice,flexibilityandresiliencetoGovernment,localauthorities,andconsumerstoassistinthedevelopmentoftheirgrowthanddecarbonisationstrategies.Fulldetailsofthedatawhichunderpinsthemapscanbefoundintheappendix.LargescalebluehydrogenproductionprojectsunderwayintheNorthWestandNorthEastenabledbytheUK’sfirstCarbonCaptureUtilisationandStorage(CCUS)clustersSmallscalegreenhydrogenprojectsacrossthecountrysupportedbytheRenewableTransportFuelsObligation,the£240mNetZeroHydrogenFund,and£90mGreenHydrogenFundinScotlandTheH100FifeprojectinScotlandwhichwillconnect300homestotheUK’sfirst100%hydrogennetworkin2025PreparationsforahydrogenvillagetrialineitherRedcarinTeessideorWhitbyintheNorthWest.Thetrialwillsee100%hydrogenusedinexistingpipelines,andbyexistingresidentialandcommercialconsumersfrom202513April2023NONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIENERGYTARGETSUKGovernment:10GWoflowcarbonhydrogenproduction(withatleast5GWofthisfromelectrolyticproduction)ScottishGovt:5GWhydrogenproduction50GWoffshorewindFourCCUSIndustrialClustersHydrogenTown,followingdeliveryofaHydrogenVillageHOWWILLTHECONSUMERBENEFIT?Hydrogenwillbeavailableforconsumersinindustrialclusters,withco-locatedsupplyanddemandthatwillbesupportedbylocaldedicated[private]networksandstorageIntheseareas,businessesareabletobenefitfrom‘first-mover’statusinthepioneeringofhydrogen-poweredproductsTECHNICALDETAILOnlyasmallnumberofnaturalgasconnectionshaveconvertedtohydrogen,largelyindustrialLargepartsofthenationaltransmissionsystemareconvertedtotransport100%hydrogentoearlyindustrialfuelswitchersandpowergenerators.Newandre-purposedsectionsofthisnetworkwilldeliverahydrogenbackboneinfrastructureonanationallevel,linkinghydrogenproductionwithdemandviadownstreamhydrogenreadygasnetworksInNorthernIreland,arelativelysmallcorridorofpipelineinfrastructurecanconnectelectrolysisproductionsitesatpotentialoffshorewindgridconnectionlocations,currentthermalpowerstations,saltcavernstoragesitesandtheexistinggastransmissionsystemHydrogenstorageinsaltcavernsanddepletedoilandgaswellswillcomeonstreamintheearly2030s2030MappingoutthepotentialDemandvolumesarepredictedandpipelinesareavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations.PipelinedevelopmentsNewandrepurposedNationalTransmissionSystempipesNewandrepurposedLocalTransmissionSystempipesNewthirdpartypipesPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-8014ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKNONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENICSDEMANDEarlyhydrogendemanddrivenbyindustrialclustersandFreeportdevelopment.EarlyresidentialandcommercialdemandaroundhydrogenTownprojectsstartsCARBONCAPTURE&STORAGEThefirstfacilitieswillbeoperationalaroundMorecambeBay,theNorth-EastofEnglandandnearAberdeenBLUEHYDROGENPRODUCTIONIndustrialclusterdemandunderpinsdevelopmentofbluehydrogenproductioninplaceslikePembrokeshire,EllesmerePort,theHumber,Bacton,TeessideandScotlandGREENHYDROGENPRODUCTIONEffortstodecarbonisethepowersectorseeincreasedgreenhydrogenproductionacrossthecountrySTORAGEThefirsthydrogenstoragefacilitiesareoperational,largelylocatednearindustrialclustersintheNorth-West,theHumberandTeessideHYDROGENFORTRANSPORTAirportssuchasManchester,LiverpoolandBristolbeginusinghydrogentodecarbonisesomeoperations.TransporthubsinplaceslikeWarringtonemergePercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-80CarbonCaptureandStorageBluehydrogenproductionGreenhydrogenproductionPinkhydrogenproductionHydrogenstorageHydrogenrefuellingstationTrainsrunningonhydrogenAirportsusinghydrogenasaviationfuelHydrogenexportsInfrastructureisavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations15April2023NONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIENERGYTARGETSFulldecarbonisationofthepowersectorNationalemissionswillbereducedby78%versus1990levels,inlinewiththeSixthCarbonBudget,includingemissionsfromshippingandaviationHOWWILLTHECONSUMERBENEFIT?Thedeliveryofanationalbackbonelinkingsupplytodemandnetworkconversionwillmeanhydrogenisavailabletoabroaderrangeofconsumers,includinghouseholdsandpowergeneratorsAfocusonrepurposingtheexistingassetswillreducethecostsoftransitioningfromnaturalgastohydrogenforconsumersThefirstconsumersinNorthernIrelandareabletoaccesshydrogenTECHNICALDETAILBetween10-20%ofnaturalgasconnectionshaveconvertedtohydrogen,withgrowthindomesticandcommercialconnectionsThebackboneofinfrastructureconnectsintohydrogenproductionandstorageassets,servingdemandfrompowerstations,industrialconsumersandthegasdistributionnetworksConvertedpipelineswillenablefuturehydrogenflowsacrossinterconnectorsbetweenGreatBritainandEurope,forexampleatBactonorfromtheScottishCoastProductionscalesacrossthecountry,spreadingfromindustrialclustersasblueandgreenproductionincreasesinthoseareasGreenhydrogenproductionfromdedicatedorcurtailedrenewableenergywillbecomemorewidespreadasthedeploymentofrenewablescontinuestoincreaseAstheglobalhydrogeneconomydevelops,importsofhydrogencouldcomeintothecountrybythemid-2030s2035MappingoutthepotentialDemandvolumesarepredictedandpipelinesareavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations.PipelinedevelopmentsNewandrepurposedNationalTransmissionSystempipesNewandrepurposedLocalTransmissionSystempipesNewthirdpartypipesPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-8016ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKNONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIDEMANDAsweseemoreindustrialdemand,residentialandcommercialdemandalsogrowsashydrogenincreasinglydecarbonisesheat,alongsideheatpumpsandheatnetworksCARBONCAPTURE&STORAGEAsmorecarboniscapturedinindustry,bluehydrogenproductionandthepowersystem,newCCUSfacilitiesarebuiltofftheEastCoastBLUEHYDROGENPRODUCTIONBluehydrogenproductionincreasesmateriallytoover70TWhayear,includinginplacessuchasCumbria,SouthamptonandtheWestMidlandsGREENHYDROGENPRODUCTIONTheUKpowersystemisnowdecarbonisedwithasmuchas36TWhgreenhydrogenproducedfromwind(offshoreandonshore)andsolarSTORAGEHydrogenstorageexpands,withnewfacilitiesinNorthernIrelandandtherepurposingofCentrica’sRoughfacilityHYDROGENFORTRANSPORTHydrogenrefuellingfacilitiesbecomeincreasinglyavailableatmajortransporthubsdownthespineofthecountryandatkeylocationssuchasportslikeHolyheadCarbonCaptureandStorageBluehydrogenproductionGreenhydrogenproductionPinkhydrogenproductionHydrogenstorageHydrogenrefuellingstationTrainsrunningonhydrogenAirportsusinghydrogenasaviationfuelHydrogenexportsPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-80Infrastructureisavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations17April2023NONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIENERGYTARGETSUKbecomesanetenergyexporterHOWWILLTHECONSUMERBENEFIT?ConsumersbeyondindustrialclustersandurbanareaswillbeabletoswitchtohydrogeniftheychooseHydrogenexportpotentialinScotland,NorthernIrelandandWales,duetoonshoreandoffshorewindpotential,beginstoberealised-creatingadditionaleconomicopportunitiesInareasofhighelectrification,wherethereislittledemandforpipednaturalgasorhydrogen,partsofthenetworkcouldbemothballedordecommissionedTECHNICALDETAILAlthoughsomeconsumersremainusingnaturalgas,between30-40%ofconnectionstoournetworkarenowusinghydrogenThemapshowsincreasingconnectionbetweenthehydrogencentresthatdevelopedinthe2030sInsomeareasthiswillrequirenewlocaltransmissionpipelinestobebuiltandconnectedtoothersprovidinglocaltransmissionbackbones,notablyinScotlandandWales.Ashydrogenproductionoutstripslocaldemand,thenationalhydrogenbackbonewillallowhydrogentoflowtotherestoftheUK,theislandofIrelandandotherEuropeanmarkets2040MappingoutthepotentialDemandvolumesarepredictedandpipelinesareavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations.PipelinedevelopmentsNewandrepurposedNationalTransmissionSystempipesNewandrepurposedLocalTransmissionSystempipesNewthirdpartypipesPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-8018ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKNONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIDEMANDResidentialandcommercialconversionofthenaturalgasnetworkisnowfirmlyunderway,withasmanyas9mhomesandbusinessesnowusinghydrogenforheatCARBONCAPTURE&STORAGEFurtherfacilitiesareaddedasvolumesofcarboncapturedacrosstheeconomyincreasesBLUEHYDROGENPRODUCTIONProductioncapacityofbluehydrogenlikelytomorethandoubleashydrogendecarbonisesmoredemand,includinginSouthWalesGREENHYDROGENPRODUCTIONGreenproductionvolumescontinuetoincrease,includingtheSouthEast,asdedicatedrenewablesareusedtoproducethehydrogenneededforconsumerstherePINKHYDROGENPRODUCTIONHydrogenfromthenewnuclearsiteatSizewellisproducedSTORAGEStoragecapacityisnowaround30TWh,withnewfacilitiessupportingcentresofdemandincludingMorecambeBay,theSouth-EastandtheSolentHYDROGENFORTRANSPORTWecouldstarttoseehydrogenusedinaviationatairportssuchasHeathrow,Manchester,LiverpoolandGlasgow,andsomeruraltrainsalsostartrunningonhydrogenCarbonCaptureandStorageBluehydrogenproductionGreenhydrogenproductionPinkhydrogenproductionHydrogenstorageHydrogenrefuellingstationTrainsrunningonhydrogenAirportsusinghydrogenasaviationfuelHydrogenexportsPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-80Infrastructureisavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations19April2023NONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIENERGYTARGETSScotlandachievesNetZero,includinga25GWhydrogenproductiontargetScotlandexportingupto94TWhofhydrogentotheUKandotherEuropeanmarketsby20459AdditionaltargetslikelytoemergethroughfutureGovernmentsHOWWILLTHECONSUMERBENEFIT?Consumersinallregionscanaccesshydrogenbythemid2040sAreaswherethereisashifttowardslowcarbonhydrogenseeextensiveconversionofpipelinesatalllevels,extendingthelifeofexistinginfrastructureandhelpingtokeepthecostofdecarbonisationlowforconsumersTECHNICALDETAILBetween50-60%ofconnectionstoournetworkarenowusinghydrogenThenaturalgasnetworkisincreasinglyusedfortransportingandstoringhydrogen,ratherthannaturalgas.Thereisresidualnaturalgasinthesystembutlevelsarelimited.Forexample,thereisonlyaround10%ofcurrentmethanedemandintheNorthEast,NorthernCumbriaandmuchofYorkshireAdditionallarge-scalestoragecomesonline,furtherpipelinesconvertedinthesouth9.ScotlandHydrogenActionPlanhttps://www.gov.scot/publications/draft-hydrogen-action-plan/2045MappingoutthepotentialDemandvolumesarepredictedandpipelinesareavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations.PipelinedevelopmentsNewandrepurposedNationalTransmissionSystempipesNewandrepurposedLocalTransmissionSystempipesNewthirdpartypipesPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-8020ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKNONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIDEMANDScotlandreachesNetZero.Approximately14mhomesandbusinessesarenowusinghydrogen,largepartsofthenaturalgasnetworkhasnowbeenconvertedCARBONCAPTURE&STORAGEWenowhavetheCCUSfacilitiesneededtosupportNetZeroinScotlandandputEngland,WalesandNorthernIrelandontherightpathfor2050BLUEHYDROGENPRODUCTIONGrowthinnewproductionfacilitiesislikelytoreduceby50%asgreentakesmoreshareGREENHYDROGENPRODUCTIONAsrenewablepowerpricesdecline,greenhydrogenisnowlikelytobethecheapestformofproduction,seeinggrowthdistributedacrossthecountrySTORAGEMoststrategicstoragehasbeenbuiltbynowhoweverfurthersiteswillcontinuetobedevelopedtoaccommodateincreasedgreenproductionHYDROGENFORTRANSPORTKeyports,includingFelixstowe,Liverpool,SouthamptonandinSouthWalesareincreasingsuppliesofhydrogenorderivativestodecarboniseshippingEXPORTSWemayseethefirstmaritimebasedhydrogenexportstoregionalmarketsbeyondtheUKCarbonCaptureandStorageBluehydrogenproductionGreenhydrogenproductionPinkhydrogenproductionHydrogenstorageHydrogenrefuellingstationTrainsrunningonhydrogenAirportsusinghydrogenasaviationfuelHydrogenexportsPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-80Infrastructureisavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations21April2023NONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIENERGYTARGETSUKtoachieveNetZeroAdditionaltargetslikelytoemergethroughfutureGovernmentsHOWWILLTHECONSUMERBENEFIT?Attheendofourmappingscenario,theuseofhydrogenbyconsumersiswidespread,providinglowcarbonenergyacrosstheeconomy,providingchoicetoconsumersandkeepingbusinessesviableTECHNICALDETAILBetween60-70%ofconnectionstoournetworkhaveconvertedtohydrogen,withtheremainderlargelyusingalternativeformsoflowcarbonenergyThroughoutthetransitionnetworksarefocusedonrepurposingassetswhereitmakessense,reducingoverallcostsTherewillbeaneedfornewpipelinesinsomeareas–forexampletosupporthydrogentransmissionatnationalandregionallevelalongsidethemovementofnaturalgasInsomeareasofhighhydrogendemand,newpipelineswillbebuiltLoweroveralldemandforgaswillmeanthatby2050someareasofthedistributionnetworkwillnolongerberequired.Partsofthepipelinenetworkcouldbepartiallydecommissionedinordertopreservenetworksafetyandreduceongoingcosts2050MappingoutthepotentialDemandvolumesarepredictedandpipelinesareavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations.PipelinedevelopmentsNewandrepurposedNationalTransmissionSystempipesNewandrepurposedLocalTransmissionSystempipesNewthirdpartypipesPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-8022ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKNONEEMEANTWMNWWNWSSWSOSCSENIDEMANDNearly16mhomesandbusinessandaroundhalfofallindustrialconsumersarenowconnectedtothehydrogennetworkCARBONCAPTURE&STORAGENearlyallcarbonfromindustry,remaininggaspowerplantsandbluehydrogenproductionisbeingcapturedandstored–asmuchas75-175MtCO₂annuallyGREENANDBLUEHYDROGENPRODUCTIONWenowhavenearly400TWhofhydrogenperyearproducedfrombothblueandgreencombinedSTORAGEWenowhavebetween40-50TWhofhydrogenstoragecapacityacrosstheUK,providingenergysecurityforhydrogenconsumersandflexibilityforthewiderenergysystemHYDROGENFORTRANSPORTVariousformsoftransportarenowdemandingover100TWhofhydrogenperyearCarbonCaptureandStorageBluehydrogenproductionGreenhydrogenproductionPinkhydrogenproductionHydrogenstorageHydrogenrefuellingstationTrainsrunningonhydrogenAirportsusinghydrogenasaviationfuelHydrogenexportsPercentageofconsumersusingthehydrogennetwork0-1011-2021-3031-4041-5051-6061-7071-80Infrastructureisavisualrepresentationofpotentialgeographiclocations23April2023ThenextstepsneededtodeliverthisvisionforconsumersThegasnetworksarereadytodeliverhydrogeninfrastructureinaUK-wide,coordinatedwaywhichbringsvaluetoconsumersandunlockstheeconomicpotentialofadecarbonisedenergysystem.ThegasnetworksinGBstandreadytoinvest£6.8bninhydrogen-focusedinnovationprojectsby2031/32,andwearealreadydeliveringanextensiverangeofprogrammes,operatingincollaborationwithconsumers-drawingonyearsofexpertiserunningsafe,reliablenetworks,theknow-howofourworkforceandinvestmentininnovation.Weunderstandthattheindustryhasaduty,asthoseonthefrontlineofdeliveringhydrogentoconsumers,tobeproactiveindoingourparttodeliverthisvision.Ourcommitment,throughthepledgesmadeinthisreport,isoutlinedopposite.24ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUK1.PlayaleadroleindeliveringagainsttheUK’shydrogenambitionsDeliverthetrialsandprojectsoutlinedbyGovernmentthisdecade,suchastheH100NeighbourhoodTrial,theHydrogenVillageTrialsandTownPilotContinuedevelopmentofdiscreteprojectswitharangeofpartners,workingwithOfgemonfundinganddeployment2.ConductfurtherresearchandtestinginanopenandtransparentmannerContinueourinternalmodellingandscenarioplanningineachnetwork,engagingothersintheindustrytoenablewholesystemsplanningWewillbringnewdatatogetherperiodicallytoupdatethehydrogenvisionmapsandpublishontheENAwebsiteContinuetobuildevidencetosupportthesafetycaseforhydrogen3.EngagewithconsumersacrossournetworksondeliveringNetZeroCommunicatewithcurrentgasconsumersonthepotentialroleforhydrogenintheenergysystemtransitionEngagewithdevolved,regionalandlocalauthoritiesandotherstakeholderstodemonstratethepossibilitiesofhydrogeninourregionsandunderstandfuturedemand,capacityandlocationneeds4.Workcollaborativelywithallstakeholdersacrossthesectorusinga‘wholesystems’approachSupportGovernmentingatheringfurtherevidencetoenablethe2026decisionontheroleofhydrogenforUKheating.AspartofthisENAwill:●ConveneameetingofCEOsandseniorofficialstotakestockofprogresstodateindemonstratingthesafetyandfeasibilityofhydrogenforheat,andagreethecriticalareasofevidenceoutstandingincludingwhoisresponsibleforprovidingandverifyingitandtowhattimescales●ConvenemeetingsofgasandelectricitynetworkstodiscussrespectiveapproachestonetworkplanningforNetZeroandagreeareaswherejointworkingwillbeuseful5.InvestinbothdevelopingaskilledworkforceforthefutureandaUKsupplychainFurtherdevelopourunderstandingoftheskillsandsupplychainneedsforconversionoftheUKgasnetwork,including:lWorkingwithIGEMandEUSkillstodevelopanddeliverhydrogenspecificstandardsandtraininglProvidingevidencetoGovernmentonfutureneed,toinformplanningforNetZero.skillseducationlWorkwithsupplychaintodevelopskills,logisticsandhomegrowntalentlDevelopnewthemesofinnovationtosupportourconsumersthroughNetZero25April2023Thenextstepsneededtodeliverthisvisionforconsumers1.GovernmenttoensurethatthecurrenthighlevelsofpoliticalcommitmenttohydrogenproductiondevelopmentarematchedforhydrogennetworkinfrastructuredevelopmentFollowingthepositiverecentannouncementsonfundingallocationforblueandgreenhydrogenproduction,thereisaneedforpoliticalcommitmentandMinisterialrecognitionofhydrogenbeyondjustthisfirststep,whichinvolvenetworkinfrastructurebuildout.Greaterclaritywouldhelpthesectortoaligninvestmentsintoproduction,storage,distribution,andenduse,recognisingthatthesearemulti-yearprojectstobecomeoperational.3.GovernmenttopublishastrategicpolicystatementforOfgembythesummerof2023ThiswillsetoutanewNetZerostatutorydutyofOfgemandincludestherole,responsibilities,anddecisionsitmustmakeinrelationtohydrogen,electricityandotherlowcarbonfuels.2.AclearroadmaptobeproducedforthedevelopmentofanewhydrogenregulatoryandmarketframeworkAnewindustryframeworkincludingaHydrogenCodewillberequiredfortherolloutofhydrogenforheating.GovernmentworkingwithOfgemmustappointaframeworkdeveloperandsetoutaprocess,workingwithindustry,tohavetheinitialarrangementsinplaceforthefirsthydrogenTownin2030.Thegasnetworkscannotachievethisalone.Wewillneedstakeholdersacrosstheindustrytoworkwithus,particularlypolicymakersinWhitehallandthedevolvedadministrations,aswellasthoseresponsiblefordevelopingtheframeworksforregulationandplanningofthehydrogennetwork.Toenableandacceleratedevelopmentofhydrogen,wewillneed:26ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUK4.Governmenttoexpeditethedevelopmentofhydrogentransportation&storagebusinessmodelsearlierthanthecurrent2025timeline.Thisshouldincludecommittingtointroducingenablinglegislationforthesebyspring2024andputtingpracticalinterimmeasuresinplaceforearlymoversThecurrentgovernmenttimelineof2025todevelopthesebusinessmodelsrepresentsarisktodeliveryofkeydecarbonisationtargets,especiallywhenlegislativechangetoenactthebusinessmodelsisfactoredin.Expeditingthetimelinetofinalisethemodelsandtheenablinglegislationin2024,aswellasputtinginplaceinterimmeasuresfortheearliestprojects,willensurethattheUKcanmeetthe2030hydrogenproductiontargetandspeedupthescalingupofhydrogeninthe2030s,particularlywithaviewtomeetingthetargettodecarbonisethepowersectorby2035.6.TheFutureSystemOperatortohaveastrategicplanningrolewhenitcomestohydrogenfromthefirstdayofitsimplementationThisroleshouldincludea)therightmandatetoenabledecision-makingandb)sufficientresourceswiththerightcapabilitiestotakeagenuinelywholesystemview.ThisappliesequallytotheRegionalSystemPlanners(RSPs)recentlyproposedbyOfgem,whichwoulddeterminewhatnetworkinfrastructurewillberequiredtosupportdecarbonisationatalocallevel.7.Governmenttomakeapositivedecisiononblendingassoonaspossiblein2023,withaviewtoimplementationin2025IndicatingthisdirectionoftravelandensuringthattheHSEcanreviewthenecessaryblendingtechnicalandsafetyevidenceassoonaspossibleisimportanttoprovideindustrywithcertaintyonacriticaltransitionarysteptoenablethehydrogenvision.Anindicationfromgovernmentonthedirectionoftravelandtimelinefortransmissionlevelblendingisalsoimportant.5.TheregulatortohavethetoolsandmandatetoenableearlyinvestmentincriticalhydrogeninfrastructureOfgemshouldbeempoweredwiththerightmandatetoenableregulationandfundingofhydrogeninfrastructurenow.Withoutthis,thereisariskthatthenextpricecontrolperiodwillrepresentamissedopportunitywithregardstoinvestmentinhydrogeninfrastructure,despitetheproposed2-yeardelaytothegasdistributionpricecontrol.10.GovernmentcommitmenttothedevelopmentofthehydrogeneconomyinNorthernIrelandSimilarpolicystepsareneededtoenablethehydrogenvisioninNorthernIreland,including:lEstablishingaformalframeworkforwholeenergysystemplanninginNIlEstablishingaformalframeworktocoordinategaseousinterconnectionbetweenNIandGBlAppropriatebusinessmodelsandasupportiveregulatoryframeworklKeypolicydecisionsaroundhydrogenblendingandtheroleforhydrogenindifferentend-uses.9.GreaterGovernmentleadershipontherolloutofheatdecarbonisation,includingactivegovernmentsupportfortrialsThereisaneedforaclarityonwhatthe2026decisiononhydrogenheatingwillentail,theprocessthatwillbefollowedtomakethedecisionandhowlowcarbonheatwillberolledoutfollowingthis.Publicgovernmentsupporttolowcarbonheattrialswouldsignificantlyhelpwithsecuringpublicacceptancetothechangesthatwillbeneededtoenabledecarbonisationofheat.8.Governmenttomandatehydrogen-readyboilersfrom2026ThisremainsalowregretswayofpreparingfortherapiddecarbonisationofheatandwillhelpensureinvestmentplannedbyboilermanufacturersremainscommittedtotheUK.27April2023NetworkreadinessTheUKgaspipelinenetworkdoesnottransporthydrogentoconsumerstoday.Toguaranteehydrogencanbetransportedandstoredwiththesamelevelsofsafetyandresilienceconsumershavecometoexpecttoday,investmentswillneedtobemade.UKgasnetworkcompaniesarecarryingoutextensiveworktoensurethenetworkwillbe‘hydrogenready’.CASESTUDYModernisinglocalgaspipesacrossGreatBritainNetworkcompanyProjectstartdate2002Projectenddate2032Throughanationalprojectupgradingtheoldcastironpipeworkthathastransportednaturalgastoconsumersfordecades,theIronMainsRiskReductionProgrammewillseeBritain’sgasnetworksinvestafurther£28bnupgradingthenetworkwithnewpolyethyleneplastichydrogen-readypipesby2032.ThisnationwideprogrammereducesemissionswhilstgrantingBritain’shomesandbusinessesmorechoiceoverwhichzerocarbontechnologiestheywillbeabletouseinthefuture,directlyreducinggreenhousegasemissions,makingthenetworkmorecosteffectivetorunandplayingaroleindeliveringourdecarbonisationgoals.FutureGridlinkstotheH21MicrogridonsiteallowingnetworkstocollaborateacrossthisimportantresearchanddemonstrateafullhydrogengridinminiatureCASESTUDYTestinguseofhydrogeninthegastransmissionnetworkNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateApril2021Projectenddate2023FutureGridisanambitiousprogrammetobuildahydrogentestfacilityfromdecommissionedassetsatafacilityinCumbria.Itaimstodemonstratehowthenetworkcantransporthydrogenatavarietyofdifferentconcentrationsfrom2%to100%.Thistestingwillgeneratenewknowledgeandunderstandingofhowtheseassetswillperformaspartofafuturehydrogensystem.Thiswillinformthewiderhydrogentransitionplanforthenetworkandidentifywherefurtherworkmayberequired.CASESTUDYTestinguseofhydrogeninthegasdistributionnetworkNetworkcompanyProjectstartdatePhase2startedin2020ProjectenddateJuly2023H21,ledbyNorthernGasNetworks,isafive-yearprogrammeofresearchonbehalfofthegasindustryexploringwhethertoday’sgasnetworkcanbeconvertedtotransporthydrogeninthefuture.Afterprovingthataconversionwastechnicallypossibleandeconomicallyviable,theH21teamsetaboutdemonstratingthatahydrogennetworkcanbeassafeastoday’snaturalgasnetwork.Thisissplitintofourphases:Phase2a–AppraisalofNetworkOperationsPhase2b–UnoccupiedNetworkTrialsPhase2c–CombinedQRAPhase2d–SocialScienceResearchTheteamhascompletedanextensiveresearchprogramme,rangingfromtestingpublicperceptionsofhydrogen,tocarryingoutoperationalgasproceduresunder100%hydrogenconditionsonapurposebuiltMicroGridandonadisused,disconnectedgasnetwork.TheH21resultswillinformtheGovernment’sdecisionaboutthefutureofthegasnetwork.Ourprojectstodeliverthehydrogenvision28ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKGasnetworksacrossBritainandNorthernIrelandaregettingreadytostartblendinghydrogenaroundthecountry.Blending20%hydrogenintothegasgridwillreducecarbonemissionsbytheequivalentof2.5millioncarsayear,withoutconsumershavetomakeanychangestotheappliancestheyuseorhowtheyusethem.Thislowcost,lowdisruption,lowregretstepindecarbonisingdomesticheatwillkickstarttheUKhydrogeneconomy,develophydrogensupplychainsandhelpbalancetheemerginghydrogensystem,whensupplyoutstripsdemand.TheGovernmentisduetomakeadecisiononwhethertoallowblendinginGreatBritainlaterthisyear.Theprojectsbelowareprovidingvaluableevidenceonfeasibility,safetyandconsumeracceptance.CASESTUDYBlendinghydrogenwithnaturalgasinEnglandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateHyDeploy1–2019,HyDeploy2–2021ProjectenddateHyDeploy1–2020,HyDeploy2–2022TheHyDeploy1projectstartedblendinghydrogenintothegasnetworkin2019attheKeeleUniversitycampusinStaffordshire.Thecampusrunsonaprivategasnetworkwhichsawconsumerslivingandworkingin100homesand30universitybuildingsreceivea20%blendofhydrogenoveran18monthperiod.Followingthesuccessofthistrial,HyDeploy2startedinAugust2021atWinlaton,Gateshead.For10months,consumersin680homes,aschoolandachurchreceiveda20%blendofhydrogen.ArecentstudyandmapspublishedviaENAshowedthatthereisaround60TWhrsperyearofblendingcapacityinthenetwork,equivalenttotheheatdemandfrom5mhomes,andapotentialcarbonsavingofaround10mtonnesofCO₂.CASESTUDYBlendinghydrogenwithnaturalgasinNorthernIrelandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdate2026ProjectCurranisbeingdevelopedbyMutualEnergyinpartnershipwithPhoenixNaturalGas.Theprojectproposestoblendupto20%hydrogenintothegasnetworkaroundLarne,providingahydrogenblendtoapproximately5,500consumers,includingdomestic,commercialandindustrial.AsNorthernIrelandhasadifferentutilityregulatorandHealthandSafetybodytoGreatBritain,thisprojectwillprovidetheevidenceneededtohelpprogresstheeconomic,regulatoryandsafetyframeworksforhydrogenblendinginNorthernIreland.Theprojectiscurrentlyinitspre-developmentphase,and,fundingdependent,aimstobeoperationalby2026.29April2023Helpingdeliverindustrialconsumers’NetZeroplansThegasnetworksareinvolvedinseveralstrategicprojectsthatwilldeliverlowcarbonhydrogenatscaleforindustrialconsumersacrossthecountryby2030.Theseprojectswillprovidearoutetodecarbonisationforcriticalindustriessuchaschemicals,refineriesandpotentiallysteel–atthesametimeprotectingjobsandeconomicvalue,whilstensuringUKindustrycanprovidelowcarbonproductsforthefuture.Inturn,industrialdemandinclusterswillbecomethekeystoneforthefuturedevelopmentofthewiderhydrogeneconomy.CASESTUDYNorthWestofEnglandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateOperationalby2026ProjectenddateOngoingIntheNorthWest,HyNetisbuildingtheinfrastructuretoproduce,transportandstorethelowcarbonhydrogenneededtodecarboniseindustryandheavytransport–andinfutureprovidelowcarbonheatandhotwater–acrosstheNorthWestandNorthWales.Theprojectwilldeliver£31bnofeconomicvalueby2050,provide6,000permanenthigh-skilledlocaljobsandreducecarbonemissionsby10mtonnesayearby2030.ItwillalsoensureoneoftheUK’sindustrialheartlandscanoperateinalowcarbonfuture,safeguardinglocaljobsandprotectingtheeconomyfromoffshoring.CASESTUDYSouthWalesNetworkcompanyProjectstartdate2019Projectenddate2025AstheUK’ssecondhighestemittingcluster,decarbonisingtheSouthWalesIndustrialCluster(SWIC)willbekeytoreachingNetZero.TheClustercouldcreate5,000jobsandprovideNetZerooptionsforthearea’sexistingindustry.TheSWICDeploymentProjectinvolves17partnersworkingonfeasibilityandengineeringdesignstudiesforprojectstoreduceemissionsintheregion.ItisworkingalongsideandsupportingkeyregionalinvestmentplanssuchasthedevelopmentofLanzatech’sProjectDRAGONandtheRWEPembrokeNetZeroCentre.ThesepioneerprojectsaimtoprovidethefoundationsforclustergrowthandreachFinalInvestmentDecisionby2025.Ourprojectstodeliverthehydrogenvision30ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKCASESTUDYSouthofEnglandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateFEEDstartmid-2024ProjectenddateFEEDend2026TheSouthamptonWaterprojectwillsetoutaroadmapfordecarbonisingSouthamptonIndustrialClusterandsurroundingarea.Theproject’sfirstphasewouldseetheFawleyhydrogenclusterbeoperationalfrom2027,supplyinghydrogentoblend20%byvolumeintothelocalnetwork,partiallydecarbonisingheatacrosstheregion.Conversionofthenaturalgasnetworkto100%hydrogenwillfollowthefirstphase,beforeexpandingtoPortsmouthandBournemouth.EarlyblendingcouldreduceCO₂emissionsintheareaby1.9mtonnesperyear,increasingto9.5mtonnesperyearinlaterstages.CASESTUDYScotlandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateOctober2021ProjectenddateMarch2023TheAberdeenVisionProjectfocusesonthetransportanduseofhydrogenproducedfromreformednaturalgasfromStFergus,Scotland,whichcouldsave1.5MtCO₂peryear.ThestudydemonstratedthatadedicatedpipelinefromStFergustoAberdeenwouldenablethetransferoftheAberdeenregionalgasdistributionsystemto100%hydrogen,andthat2%hydrogencanbeinjectedintothenetworkatStFergusanddistributedbeyond.ThiswouldbefollowedbybuildouttosupplytheAberdeengasnetworksandenablelowcosthydrogentransportapplications.CASESTUDYMidlands–EnglandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateJune2022ProjectenddateApril2023TheHydrogenValleyisacollaborativestudybetweenNationalGasandCadentassessingthehydrogensupplyanddemandpotentialoftheWestMidlands,Cambridgeshire,Peterborough,NorthEastAngliaandEastLincolnshire,providingevidenceforearlyinvestmentintheregion’sgasnetworkandhydrogeninfrastructure.Theprogrammeofworkcoulddeliverupto25%oftheemissionsreductionrequiredtoreachNetZerointheregion,supportupto25,000jobsandcreateafurther9,000intheregion’shydrogeneconomy.Itcouldalsoattractup£28bninprivateinvestment.31April2023JoininguptheregionsMostofthehydrogenweseetodayisproducedandusedinthesamelocation,thiswillchangeovertime.AsshownintheHydrogenStrategyRoadmapsupplyanddemandwillbelargelyco-locatedintheearlypartofthisdecade.Aswegetcloserto2030,andcertainlybeyond,therewillbeaneedfornationalandregionalhydrogentransmissionnetworkstoconnectlargecentresofproductiontoconsumersindifferent,andmoredistant,places.CASESTUDYAhydrogentransmissionsystemfortheUKNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateJune2021ProjectenddateDecember2035Throughthephasedrepurposingofaround2,000km(approximately25%)oftheUK’sexistingtransmissionpipelines,ProjectUnionwilldevelopalowcosthydrogen‘backbone’.Itwillenabledecarbonisationthroughfairaccesstolowcarbonhydrogen,linkingsupplyanddemandforUKconsumersacrossindustryandpower,whileprovidingoptionalityforheatandtransport.ItwillalsoprovideinterconnectionopportunitiestoEuropeandIreland.ProjectUnioncouldsupportapproximately£300mannualeconomicvalueaddedand3,100jobsatpeakconstruction,whilede-riskingplannedhydrogensupplyanddemandprojectsandincreasinginvestorconfidencethattherewillbeaccesstoadiverse,GreatBritain-wideconsumerhydrogenmarket.CASESTUDYNorthEastScotlandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdate2023Projectenddate2026/27TheNorthEastNetwork&IndustrialClusterDevelopmentProjectdeterminedthefeasibilityofreconfiguringSGN’sgasdistributionnetworkintheNorthEastandCentralbeltofScotlandtoseparatelytransporthydrogentoendconsumersandcapturedcarbondioxidetogeologicalstores.TheprojectoutlinesthepracticalstepsrequiredtorapidlydecarboniseasignificantpartofScotland’shomesandindustry.ItdemonstrateshowhydrogencanplayaleadingroleindeliveringtheScottishGovernment’stargetofonemillionhomeswithlowcarbonheatby2030.Ourprojectstodeliverthehydrogenvision32ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKCASESTUDYNorthEastofEnglandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateOperationalby2027ProjectenddateOngoingEastCoastHydrogenwillfocusondecarbonisingheavyindustrybasedaroundtheHumberandTeesside,providingtheinfrastructurenecessarytolaterdecarbonisethewidereconomy.Drawingontheregion’snaturalassets,includingexistingandpotentialhydrogenstoragefacilities,thisprojectwillbuildonhydrogenproductionintheNorthEast’slargeindustrialcluster.Itwillconnectover7GWofhydrogento39,000businessesandover4mhomes,savingupto11Mtofcarbonemissionsannuallyandproviding10TWhofhydrogenstoragecapacity.Creating9,000jobsby2026,theEastCoastclusterwillbekeytothe£20bnayearGVAby2050targetforoffshorewindandhydrogenproductionandsupplyfromtheNorthSea.CASESTUDYWalesProjectleadProjectstartdateNovember2022ProjectenddateOngoingAspartoftheSouthWalesIndustrialCluster,theHylineCymrupipelinewillconnectlowcarbonhydrogenproductionwithindustrialdemandandcouldfacilitatetheconversionofhomeheatingtohydrogen.Theprojectcouldcreate5,000newjobs,whilesupportingandde-riskingdecarbonisationplansforhydrogenproducersandindustrialconsumers.ItisworkingalongsideandsupportingkeyregionalinvestmentplanssuchasthedevelopmentofLanzatech’sProjectDRAGON,whichaimstobetheworld’sfirstcommercial-scalefacilitytotransformwastegasesintosustainablejetfuel.CASESTUDYSouthEastandEastofEnglandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdateNovember2022ProjectenddateOngoingCapitalHydrogenwillconnectlowcarbonhydrogenproductionandstrategicsupplyinLondon,theEastandSouthEastofEngland,developingasecureandresilientlowcarboneconomyintheregionbydecarbonisingindustryandheavytransport.Theprojecthasthepotentialtodeliver£40bnofGVAtotheUKeconomyandcreate40,000jobsinmanufacturingandthewidersupplychain.Itwillalsosaveover7.8MtCO₂peryearthroughhydrogendeployment,workingtowardsachievingtheMayorofLondon’spreferred‘AcceleratedGreen’PathwaytoNetZero.33April2023DecarbonisingheatSince2017,therehasbeenextensiveinnovationandinvestigationcarriedouttoexploretherolethathydrogencanplayindecarbonisingheatforhomesandbusinesses.Networkshavesupportedwiderangingactivitytotestwhetherhydrogencanbesafeandpracticalforhomeheating,cookingandhotwaterneeds.Thatworkhasmovedfromlab-basedinvestigationtodemonstrationhomesfittedwithhouseholdgasappliancesfuelledentirelybyhydrogen,allowingthepublictoexperiencealowcarbongasfuelledhome.NetworksarepartneringwitheachotherandGovernmenttoextendrealworldtrialsintomultiplehomes.ThesetrialsareimportantforourunderstandinghowhomesandbuildingscanbedecarbonisedinlinewithNetZero,andhowconversionwouldworkinpractice.TheyarecriticalinmeetingGovernment’saimofdevelopinglowcarbonhydrogenasandoptionfordecarbonisingheatinthe2030s.CASESTUDYUsinghydrogeninanewneighbourhoodinScotlandNetworkcompanyProjectstartdate2022Projectenddate2024-27TheH100Fifeprojectaimstodemonstratetheworld’sfirst100%greenhydrogengasnetwork,comprisingrenewablepowergeneration,hydrogenproductionandstorage,pressurereduction,odorisationanddistribution.Suppliedbyanexisting7MWoffshorewindturbine,H100Fifewillprovide300consumersinLevenmouth,Fifewithlowcarbonheating.Theprojectwillbringinvestmenttotalling£32m,deliverjobstothelocalareaandsavealmost3,000tonnesofCO₂overitslifetime,equivalenttotakingthecarsofhalfoftheparticipatinghomesofftheroad.CASESTUDYHydrogenVillagetrialsinEllesmerePortandTeessideNetworkcompanyProjectstartdate2020-23Projectenddate2027-28CadentandNGN(withsupportfromWWU)havesubmitteddetaileddesignsfora100%hydrogenvillagetrialinEllesmerePortandTeesside.TheDepartmentforEnergySecurityandNetZeroarereviewingthesubmissionsandaVillagetriallocationwillbechosenbyAutumn2023.Submissionsforbothtrialssetouthowanexistingnaturalgasnetworkcouldbeconvertedto100%hydrogenthroughaplannedconversionprogramme.Bothpotentiallocationshaveadiversebuildingstock,includinghomes,businessesandindustrialunits,whichwouldswitchfromnaturalgastohydrogenforheatandhotwater,withminimaldisruption.Allapplianceswouldbeconvertedtolowcarbonequivalents(hydrogenboilersorheatpumps)forfree.TheevidencegatheredfromthechosentrialwillsupporttheGovernment’sdecisionontheroleofhydrogeninheatingin2026.Ourprojectstodeliverthehydrogenvision34ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKCASESTUDYHydrogenProductionusingConstrainedEnergyNetworkcompanyProjectstartdate2022Projectenddate2023TheSouthwestofScotlandischaracterisedbyhighnumbersofonshorerenewableenergyprojects,particularlyonshorewindprojectsthatarecurrentlyunderdevelopmentorolderrenewablegenerationprojectswhoseprimaryfundingmechanism(RenewableObligationCertificates‘ROCs’)iscomingtoanend.Theareaalsofaceschallengingelectricitynetworkconstraints.Thestudywillidentifypotentiallocationsforhydrogenproductionwhichoptimiseavailablerenewablepowerandreduceelectricitytransmissionlosses.Theseoutputswillinformthenextphaseofthestudy,creationofahigh-levelstrategyfortheconversionofthegasnetworkintheregion,inamannerthatminimisescostandmaintainsavailabilityofsupplytotheconsumer.35April2023DevelopingthemapsThemapelementsinEngland,ScotlandandWaleshavebeenproducedusingdatasetsdevelopedinaprogrammeofworkfortheUKGovernment.Thislookedtodevelopasetoffuturescenariosforthegasnetwork,withtheaimofexploringthenetworkconfigurationoptionsrequiredtosupportthesupplyof100%hydrogenforpowerandtransport,aswellastohomes,businesses,andindustryinarangeofscenarios.Thismodellingconsideredarangeofscenarios,fromthoseconsideringmoreofaroleforhydrogentothosewherealternativessuchaselectrificationwasusedtomeetmoredemand.ThescenariosarebasedonpubliclyavailableFESandCCCdata.Giventhisreportisintendedtoprovideavisionofthepotentialhydrogeneconomywecouldsee,thescenariotakenfromthemodellingisoneofthosewithhighervolumesofhydrogendemand.AsNorthernIrelandwasnotpartofthismodellingexercise,theNorthernIrelandelementsofthemapshavebeendevelopedusingaslightlydifferentmethodology.Wehaveextrapolateddatafromthe‘BalancedScenario’inaGuidehousereportcommissionedbythefiveNorthernIrelandgasnetworkoperatorsin2021entitled“NorthernIrelandPathwaystoNetZero2050”.TheNorthernIrishpictureisunderstandablyquitedifferenttotherestoftheUK,onthegroundsthatcurrentgasconnectionpenetrationinNorthernIrelandismuchlower(currentlyaroundonly35%or300,000propertiesareconnectedtothegasnetwork)andNorthernIrelandhasmuchgreaterbiomethanepotentialperunitofgaseousnetworkeddemand.AlongsidetheasksfromtheGovernment,eachofthenetworksarecarryingouttheirowndetailedworkonthefutureoftheirnetworkstoinformtheirownplanningandpreparedness.Gasnetworkswillcontinuetoworktogetherinplanningforfuturehydrogenrollout.ThisVision,andthemapswhichunderpinit,areintendedasliveoutputswhichwewillcontinuallyrevisitandrefineovertimeasthepipelineofearlysupplyanddemandbecomesclearer,informedbyrealworldprojects.Byputtingthisinformationintothepublicdomainouraimistosupportpoliticiansandpolicymakers,aswellasbusinessesandinvestors,ofallsizesandpartsoftheUKeconomy,withtheirplanningfortheavailabilityoflowcarbonhydrogen.Decisionsabouttheconfigurationofthefuturegasnetworkwillneedtoreflectabroadunderstandingofwiderenergyinfrastructureneeds,particularlyelectricitynetworks.Asweseetoday,electricityandgaswillworkalongsideeachothertodeliverreliableenergy–withcarbonemissionsbecominglowerovertime.Insomeareas,gasnetworksarealreadytakingsuchconsiderationsintoaccountintheirplanning.Appendix36ThevoiceofthenetworksENAAhydrogenvisionfortheUKThevoiceofthenetworksEnergyNetworksAssociation4MoreLondonRiverside,London,SE12AUt.+44(0)2077065100w.energynetworks.org@EnergyNetworks©ENA2023EnergyNetworksAssociationLimitedisacompanyregisteredinEngland&WalesNo.04832301Registeredoffice:4MoreLondonRiverside,London,SE12AU
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