A smart hydrogen hybrid heating system has been demonstrated in Pembrokeshire.
The trial is part of the UK Research and Innovation-funded Milford Haven: Energy Kingdom project. It was successfully implemented by a collaboration of partners – Port of Milford Haven, Passiv UK, Wales & West Utilities, Kiwa UK, Worcester Bosch, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and Pembrokeshire County Council.
The trial combined a hydrogen-fuelled boiler with an electric air-source heat pump alongside smart control technology. It was conducted in a commercial building at the Port of Milford Haven, the UK’s largest energy Port.
According to The Energy Saving Trust, emissions from home heating and hot water need to be cut by 95% to meet 2050 UK Net Zero targets.
Hybrid heating systems can flexibly switch between using renewable electricity when it’s available, and green gases like hydrogen at other times.
For many existing homes and businesses, hybrid heating systems offer an affordable and practical way to decarbonise heating, a statement said, adding that almost 50% of UK properties are not suitable for standalone heat pumps due to their poor thermal properties and other limitations.
In this demonstration, Kiwa UK delivered bottled hydrogen to the Worcester Bosch boiler to simulate periods when renewable electricity was unavailable to run the heat pump, or when a temperature boost was required.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas network for Wales and south west England are one of the project partners.
Matt Hindle, head of Net Zero and sustainability at Wales & West Utilities, said: “We’re committed to playing our part in helping communities across Wales and south west England go green. Between 2021 and 2026 we’re investing £400m to prepare our network to transport green gas like hydrogen and biomethane.
“Hybrid heating systems can be easily retrofitted to existing housing stock, without costly changes to radiators or internal pipework, keeping disruption to homes and communities to a minimum. This trial has demonstrated how they can work with hydrogen in place of natural gas.”