Heating homes with hydrogen: Are we being sold a pup? Hydrogen has an important role to play in the clean energy transition, but there are better options for decarbonising heating in our homes. Even if hydrogen becomes available in large quantities and at lower costs than expected, is will not play a large role in decarbonising heating systems any time soon. Centrica, the world’s oldest and Britain’s largest gas utility, recently said “domestic hydrogen use is likely more than ten years away, with the costs to customers as yet unknown”.
Energy Monitor 29th Sept 2020 read more »
Aberdeen has been selected as the home for the “world’s first” offshore floating facility to produce green hydrogen. The “pioneering” Dolphyn project will sit 15km off the coast, allowing the UK to harness the power of the superfuel using floating wind turbines. Developer Environmental Resources Management (ERM) described it as the “start of the process” which will see a predicted wave of thousands of green energy jobs supported by the hydrogen economy. ERM, a London-headquartered multinational consultancy, who earlier this year was awarded £3million in UK government funding for Dolphyn, said Aberdeen beat out both Orkney and Cornwall for the development. The company said the decision was due to a number of factors, including the city’s ongoing hydrogen efforts, the new South Harbour expansion, and even some persuading by Sir Ian Wood and Opportunity North East (ONE).
Energy Voice 29th Sept 2020 read more »
“Green hydrogen” made with wind and solar electricity could become the cheapest form of what the Australian government has described as a “transformative fuel” much faster than expected, analysts believe. Chinese manufacturers have reported making systems to create hydrogen with renewable energy for up to 80% less than official Australian estimates from just two years ago. Energy analysts said it suggested green hydrogen was likely to leapfrog hydrogen made with gas and coal as the most cost-effective form of the energy before the end of the decade, and by the time an industry could be developed at scale.
Guardian 3rd Oct 2020 read more »