Decarbonise Heat at Scale
Policy is critical. But it is probably more important to push policy forward with clarity, momentum and critical mass than some of the technology choices within that policy. In fact it makes sense to diversity of approaches to learn as efforts scaled up and shift based on feedback of what works best. If you don’t have overarching cross sector transfers such as Carbon Tax then measures to decarbonise within sectors by customer cost base such as Gas separate from Electric supply helps pushes decarbonisation across sectors by pushing up costs evenly. i.e. a move to hydrogen in gas transortation and supply with additional cost pushing up price of gas from what would be otherwise makes decarbonising electric as well as energy efficiency measures more competitive and visa versa. Banning new connections to Natural Gas Network in 2025 in UK will spur both switch to Heat Pumps as well as make case for conversion of Gas supply to 100% Hydrogen. It is frustrating that the Modelling that investments, renewals & maintenance in Gas Transportation Networks is based on can not be switched to based on Hydrogen until a clear UK wide Hydrogen Strategy. So when assets replaced sized and specified for Hydrogen, and made ready to support conversion area by area later. For example makes sense to add in Valves when a it is on Gas Main replaced that will be used for area isolation as part of conversion than has to dig up road again at great cost to isolate later. Even bigger is need to grow supply chain of Hydrogen ready boilers.
Investment will pay for itself over time and costs saved later pay for investment now.
And ever my posts are going to mostly links of interest:
Future Energy Scenarios (National Grid ESO) as summerised in article on Carbon Brief website.
100% Hydrogen conversion to help delivering Net Zero.
HyNet as reported on by The Chemical Engineer.
Delivering Net Zero with Heat Pumps.
All Hands to the Pump from IPPR (reported by Business Green).