H2FC Supergen- The Role of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Future Energy Systems

This White Paper has been commissioned by the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell (H2FC) SUPERGEN Hub to examine the roles and potential benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in delivering energy security for the UK. The H2FC SUPERGEN Hub is an inclusive network encompassing the entire UK hydrogen and fuel cells research community, with around 100 UK-based academics supported by key stakeholders from industry and government. It is funded by the UK EPSRC research council as part of the RCUK Energy Programme. This paper is the second of four that were published over the lifetime of the Hub, with the others examining: (i) low-carbon heat; (iii) future energy systems; and (iv) economic impact.

• Fuel cells can contribute to UK energy system security, both now and in the future.
• Hydrogen can be produced using a broad range of feedstocks and production processes, including renewable electricity.
• Adopting hydrogen as an end-use fuel in the long term increases UK energy diversity.