Blog Post

Hydrogen as a natural gas replacement research moves into new phase

David Lambert • 19 July 2022

Large scale trials to begin in neighbourhoods and villages as research into hydrogen as a natural gas replacement continues.

The first phase of the Hy4Heat project has proved that hydrogen is a safe and convenient alternative to natural gas when installed in residential and commercial buildings and gas appliances.

This success means that research into hydrogen as a natural gas replacement can move into its next phase, with 28 projects within neighbourhoods and villages to be rolled out. These trials will focus on developing hydrogen as the ‘superfuel of the future’, with particular interest being shown in how hydrogen can be produced and transported as it needs to be a viable, affordable fuel for industry.

With the aim of reducing carbon emissions as quickly as possible, the government will need to be in a position to make strategic decisions on heating within the next two to three years. Locations for the next phase of the trial are currently being shortlisted, with Ellesmere Port being one of the two frontrunners. If chosen, approximately 2,000 residences would use hydrogen as a natural gas replacement for cooking and heating in 2025. Each property would get a free hydrogen-ready boiler upgrade and would pay the same for hydrogen as they would natural gas for the duration of the two year trial.

Redcar is the other favourite, close to established energy infrastructure and with a wide variety of housing representative of homes throughout the rest of the UK. Plans would include producing hydrogen in Teesside, making Redcar self-sufficient when it comes to its renewable energy.

Getting pipelines ready for the transition

In order to be enable the transition to hydrogen as a natural gas replacement, various tests will need to be done on the use of high pressure pipelines for transmission and storage. This is to ensure that the current pipeline network will be compatible.

For example, NGH is carrying out work in the South Bank area of Teesside, using a network of natural gas mains to test procedures under 100% hydrogen conditions.

Converting London

Hydrogen as a natural gas replacement – are you ready for the transition?

If you are a heating engineer, we would strongly recommend that you are ready for the impending transition from natural gas to hydrogen as a natural gas replacement. You will need to hold a variety of renewable energy qualifications to ensure you have the necessary skillset to adapt systems to meet individual scenarios.

Hydrogen qualifications are currently being developed; however, we are aware that you will need to meet the following criteria in order to be accepted onto courses:

A gas engineer registered with Gas Safe for at least a year
Hold up-to-date ACS qualifications in CCN1 (core gas safety), CENWAT (boilers & Water Heaters), CPA1 (flue gas analysis) and CKR1 (cookers) HTR1 (Fires)
It is also recommended that you hold MET1 (meters) as this will likely be added to the list

We hope you found our article, ‘Research into hydrogen as a natural gas replacement moves into new phase’ of interest. If you want to know more about our renewable energy courses, please contact Gas Training & Assessment on 01268 727797 to discuss.

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