f HyDeploy Project - First Project Progress Report

The HyDeploy Project seeks to address a key issue for UK customers: how to reduce the carbon they emit in heating their homes. The UK has a world class gas grid delivering heat conveniently and safely to over 83% of homes. Emissions could be reduced by lowering the carbon content of gas through blending with hydrogen. Compared with solutions such as heat pumps, this means that customers would not need disruptive and expensive changes in their homes. This Network Innovation Competition (NIC) funded project seeks to establish the level of hydrogen that can be safely blended with natural gas for transport and use in a UK network.
Under its Smart Energy Network Demonstration innovation programme, Keele University is establishing its electricity and gas networks as facilities to drive forward innovation in the energy sector. The objective of HyDeploy is to trial natural gas blended with potentially up to 20% volume of hydrogen in a part of the Keele gas network. Before any hydrogen can be blended with natural gas in the network, the percentage of hydrogen to be delivered must be approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It must be satisfied that the approved blended gas will be as safe to use as normal gas. Any approval will be given as an exemption to the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations. These regulations ensure the safe use and management of gas through the gas network in the UK. The evidence presented to the HSE comprises critically appraised literature, combined with the results from a specifically commissioned experimental and testing programme. Based on engagement with all local customers, this includes detailed safety checks on the network, appliances and installations at Keele. Subject to approval by the HSE, the hydrogen production and grid injection units will be installed, and an extensive trial programme of blending will be undertaken. If hydrogen were blended at 20% volume with natural gas across the UK, it would save around 6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year, the equivalent of taking 2.5 million cars off the road.
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