National Grid granted funding to explore mobile hydrogen deblending solutions

National Grid has been granted funding as part of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) competition, to identify potential opportunities to develop a mobile hydrogen deblending solution to support a net zero transition.

The government target to reach net zero by 2050 will require a range of new energy and technology developments. In response to this challenge, National Grid Gas Transmission is exploring the role that hydrogen could play in the future gas network, to provide a greener alternative to natural gas.

In the transition period between now and 2050, varying customer requirements mean it is likely that different blends of natural gas and hydrogen will be needed. Gas separation technology has already been established and is in use at processing plants across the world. However, these plants are significant in size and found in limited locations, a restrictive factor if the technology is to be used at hydrogen refueling stations across the UK.

National Grid, alongside Element Energy, HyET Hydrogen and Element 2, have been granted ￡148,141 to explore options for small-scale gas separation plants which could be transported across the country to meet the required deblending needs.

The project, which comprises three phases, has received funding for the initial Discovery phase. This will focus on building a robust business case outlining the requirements of such a mobile system and exploring the available technologies that could be utilised.

?Using a mobile deblending solution would provide greater flexibility and protect customers not yet ready to receive hydrogen. Alongside this, with additional research into purification and compression – which are currently being explored through other innovation projects – this technology could offer a feed of hydrogen ready for use throughout the transport industry.

Tim Harper, Chief Executive Officer at Element 2, said:?“We are?delighted to be contributing to this important project, whose overall aim is to make the gas industry even cleaner. Our experience of the transport sector’s requirements for hydrogen purity means we bring an important advisory perspective, and we look forward to seeing how the results of this project might feed into other sectors, as we continue in our mission to make diesel history.”?

This project is funded by energy network users and consumers through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a programme from the UK’s independent energy regulator Ofgem, managed in partnership with Innovate UK.

?About the Strategic Innovation Fund:?the purpose of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund is to support network innovation that will contribute to achieving Net Zero rapidly and at lowest cost; deliver real net benefits to network companies, energy users and consumers; and help the UK to become a ‘Silicon Valley’ of energy. It aims to work with other public funders of innovation so that activities appropriately funded by energy users and consumers are coordinated with activities funded by Government. The Fund is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.

?About Ofgem: Ofgem is Britain’s independent energy regulator. Their role is to protect consumers now and in the future by working to deliver a greener, fairer energy system. They do this by:

???????Working with Government, industry and consumer groups to deliver a net zero economy at the lowest cost to consumers

???????Stamping out sharp and bad practice, ensuring fair treatment for all consumers, especially the vulnerable.

???????Enabling competition and innovation, which drives down prices and results in new products and services for consumers.

About Innovate UK: Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency, part of UK Research and Innovation. It drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base.