10 things you need to know about HyDeploy, as explained at our latest briefing

1. Molecules of hydrogen will be entering Keele University’s live gas network this summer. So, everything’s on track. A UK-first, carefully monitored and checked by safety regulators, helping build evidence for a wider roll-out.
2. There is a clear pathway to that wider roll-out. This first trial (at Keele) ends next year, then two trials on public networks in North East and North West, then into millions of homes as early as the middle of the 2020s.
3. For projects like our www.hynet.co.uk plan for NW England, the immediate carbon savings from using hydrogen for industry and blending into the network are equivalent to taking 600,000 cars off the road.
4. Energy policy makers at BEIS see the strategic benefits of using hydrogen to help decarbonise how we keep warm. They’re also delighted industry is working together on this.
5. The numbers involved in this challenge – to decarbonise heat – are gigantic. The peak heat demand for gas from London alone is equivalent to the output of eight Hinkley Point C nuclear power stations. Where is that scale of energy coming from, if not clean, low-carbon gas?
6. Now is our time to put hydrogen into the centre of thinking around decarbonisation. So said Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds North West and hydrogen champion. He was referring to encouraging comments in the recent Spring Statement, about greening the gas grid.
7. Green Steel is a buzzword in Parliament. So, it’s not all just Brexit talk then! Our heavy industry needs masses of heat every day to operate. Hydrogen can be supplied to them at 100% volume – that means no carbon emissions from current big carbon emitters.
8. Hydrogen protects UK industrial jobs and creates thousands of new ones. There is global interest and that means export opportunity; the UK and the north of England leading the world.
9. Fascinating science is behind the project – we heard from HSE’s Science and Research Centre, who have done lots of the lab tests to get the project to where it is today. This includes looking at how hydrogen blend performs on appliances. They’re also on board at every stage of the live trial at Keele and the two further trials after.
10. Customers must have a voice in what technology they can use to heat their homes. Around 83 per cent of UK homes use gas for central heating. Hydrogen offers a choice, and a true energy mix as the UK navigates the right path towards reducing our carbon emissions.

Thanks to everyone who attended and particularly for the great questions to our panel.

Keep up to date on developments at www.hydeploy.co.uk.