Hydrogen can play a vital role in the future of the mains gas network, by helping the government to contribute to global carbon reduction targets, according to a new report.
‘The Future of Fuel’, published by Worcester Bosch, takes an in-depth look at how the UK can successfully decarbonise heat and hot water generation without radically changing the way 85% of households heat their homes.
According to the report, decarbonising the supply running through the mains gas network would not only cost three times less than the government’s current aim of electrification, but would also allow the UK’s longstanding infrastructure to remain.
Consequently, UK homeowners would avoid being forced to have a heat pump installed, as proposed by the Climate Change Committee, with the overwhelming majority (73%) currently falling some way short of the insulation levels required for a heat pump to deliver.
As well as comparing hydrogen with natural gas, ‘The Future of Fuel’ also takes a close look at the technical requirements of a hydrogen boiler before going on to answer many of the questions likely to arise as the prospect of a hydrogen-supplied gas network grows in interest.
The report concludes with a three-stage roadmap towards a sustainable gas network, which calls upon the government to free up R&D funding, demonstrate commitment to infrastructure, and support heating engineers.
Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy & Utilities Alliance and author of the report’s introduction, said: “Numerous studies have shown that switching to electricity is a more expensive option for the UK and it will struggle to meet demand in a cold snap.
“Low carbon gas in our homes will be the cheapest, most secure, and most flexible source of energy we can deploy. The fact that it meets our international obligations too, should be something we welcome.”
The Future of Fuel: is now available to download at: worcester-bosch.co.uk/hydrogen