Cadent says Hy to the home of the future

Feb 16 2021 future of energy

The Government have announced today the UK’s first homes with appliances fuelled entirely by hydrogen
The houses will be built with funding from the government’s Hy4Heat innovation programme, Cadent and Northern Gas Networks (NGN)
Hydrogen appliances installed in each home such as boilers, hobs, cookers and fires that release no carbon emissions – providing the public a glimpse into the potential home of the future
Demonstrates the potential of hydrogen energy to help achieve the government’s ambitions to eliminate the UK’s contribution to climate change by 2050

The UK’s first public homes with household appliances fuelled entirely by hydrogen are set to be built in Low Thornley, Gateshead, providing the public a glimpse into the potential home of the future where no carbon emissions are released.

The two semi-detached homes, funded with the help of the UK government’s Hy4Heat Innovation programme, Cadent and NGN will open in April 2021, showing how hydrogen has the potential to be used as a clean replacement to natural gas in the home.

At the moment 86% of homes in the UK use gas to heat their homes. The new hydrogen homes will use 100% hydrogen for domestic heating and cooking in appliances including boilers, hobs, cookers and fires.

Unlike natural gas, which is responsible for over 30% of the UK’s carbon emissions, hydrogen produces no carbon at the point of use, with the only by-product being water.

Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:
“From running a hot bath and cooking our evening meals to turning on the heating, most of us use natural gas every day. However, to tackle climate change, we need to find alternatives to fossil fuels and move towards making clean energy the norm.

“While these new houses in Gateshead will look like any other, they will showcase how low carbon hydrogen can transform the way we power our homes and offer a glimpse of what the future holds as we build back greener."

The project secured a £250,000 grant from the government’s Hy4Heat Innovation programme and is being run by gas company Cadent and NGN, who have both also input £250,000 of funding each.

The houses are planned to be open to members of the public, who will be able to view appliances and see how they compare to existing ones. Local schools, colleges and universities will also be welcomed to learn about the new technology, as well as potential careers in the emerging green economy and in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Steve Fraser, Chief Executive Officer at Cadent said:
“We are proud to be part of this important project where we will be able to show customers what their future gas appliances will look like. A familiar sight to them, with one difference, they will be powered by hydrogen.

“These projects are so important to demonstrate a decarbonised energy solution in homes now.”

Mark Horsley, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Gas Networks said:
“We’re delighted to be working with BEIS and Cadent on this unique demonstration, which gives energy customers a first glimpse at hydrogen technology in the home.

“Just like natural gas, hydrogen can heat homes in exactly the same way, meaning minimal change for customers in terms of how they use gas for heating or cooking.

“The houses bring to life the potential of this green gas for keeping UK homes warm, while minimising impact on the environment.”

Today’s announcement comes ahead of government plans to publish its Hydrogen Strategy later this year, which will outline plans to build a UK hydrogen economy.

The hydrogen houses announced today are intended to have a three-year lifespan, but potential longer, up to 10 years. They are not intended to be habitual, but to showcase the use of hydrogen fuelled applications in a real-world domestic setting.
The innovative hydrogen appliances have been produced with support from the government’s Hy4heat innovation programme.
The two hydrogen houses are being built at Northern Gas Network's site in Low Thornley, Gateshead.
The hydrogen house project is aligned with a larger scheme detailed in the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan which also includes establishing a Hydrogen Neighbourhood, and to the development of plans for a potential Hydrogen Town before the end of this decade.
Hydrogen could play a vital role in achieving the government’s commitment of eliminating the UK’s contribution to climate change by 2050, with the industry creating up to 8,000 jobs across Britain’s industrial heartlands and beyond by 2030, potentially unlocking up to 100,000 jobs by 2050.

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.

Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

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