The Anonymous Widower

Major Boost For Hydrogen As UK Unlocks New Investment And Jobs

The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from the Government.

These three bullet points, act as sub-headings.

• Eleven new production projects will invest around £400 million up front over the next 3 years, growing the UK’s green economy

• More than 700 jobs to be created, representing the largest number of commercial scale green hydrogen production projects announced at once anywhere in Europe

• New certainty for industry as government sets out hydrogen ambitions, including future production, transport and storage rounds

These two paragraphs outline the investment.

Over 700 jobs will be created across the UK in a world-leading hydrogen industry from the South West of England to the Highlands of Scotland, backed by £2 billion in government funding over the next 15 years.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho today (Thursday 14 December) announced backing for 11 major projects to produce green hydrogen – through a process known as electrolysis – and confirmed suppliers will receive a guaranteed price from the government for the clean energy they supply.

Note.

1. This represents the largest number of commercial scale green hydrogen production projects announced at once anywhere in Europe.
2. It is green hydrogen produced by electrolysis.
3. The projects appear to be distributed around the UK.
4. 125 MW of new hydrogen for businesses will be delivered.

I detailed the shortlist in Hydrogen Business Model / Net Zero Hydrogen Fund: Shortlisted Projects Allocation Round 2022, which used this press release from the Government as source.

Projects And Topics

This notice from the Government lists the eleven successful projects.

Projects and topics mentioned in the notice include.

Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen

I was very impressed, when I went to see the public exhibition of this project.

• One of the reasons for building the electrolyser, is that Bradford has too many steep hills for electric buses, so will have to use more powerful hydrogen buses.
• I also got talking to a Bradford councillor, who said that they were going to use hydrogen to attract businesses to the city.
• It’s also rather large with a capacity of 24.5 MW.

The press release also gives this comment from Gareth Mills, Managing Director at N-Gen who said.

This is an important and exciting project, not just for Bradford, but also for the wider area and the community that lives here, so we are delighted to now have financial backing from government to allow us to start work on the site.

Bradford Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and we believe this facility will play an important role in helping the area deliver on its climate change ambitions.

We know hydrogen can support decarbonising all energy types including transport, and producing green hydrogen is central to this, so we’re really excited to work with Hygen to deliver this development.

I very much feel that other large towns and cities will follow Bradford’s example.

Carlton Power

Carlton Power is a developer, who have been successful with bids for three hydrogen production projects.

• Barrow Green Hydrogen – 21 MW
• Langage Green Hydrogen – 7 MW
• Trafford Green Hydrogen – 10.5 MW

The links go to the respective web sites.

The press release also gives this comment from Eric Adams, Carlton Power’s Hydrogen Projects Director who said.

We are delighted with today’s announcement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).  Securing contracts for each project – totalling 55MW of capacity and an investment of c£100 million, and each with planning consent – is a major achievement and places Carlton Power among the leading British companies that are helping to build the hydrogen economy in the UK.

The press release also gives this comment from Keith Clarke, Founder and Chief Executive of Carlton Power who said.

We are supporting UK industry to decarbonise their operations, supporting the UK’s efforts to reach net zero and we are a catalyst for green investment and jobs into the UK regions.  Working with our financial partners, Schroders Greencoat, we can now work towards Final Investment Decisions for each scheme in the early part of next year and thereafter work to have the 3 enter commercial operation within 2 years.

Carlton Power seem pleased, they got all the projects, they wanted.

Cromarty Hydrogen Project

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project has a web site, where this is said about the background of the project.

This Proposed Development would form part of the North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme recognised in the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Action Plan1 The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme is a strategic programme in line with the Scottish Government’s resolve to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045 and the UK Government’s ambition by 2050. The programme is aimed at developing hydrogen production hubs across the North of Scotland to supply hydrogen, initially to meet industrial and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) transport demand in the near term and then expand to cater to additional hydrogen demands in the future.

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project is the first project in the Scotland Hydrogen Programme. It originated from a collaboration between the Port of Cromarty Firth, ScottishPower, Glenmorangie, Whyte & Mackay and Diageo and the project originator, Storegga during the feasibility stage. This project is looking to develop a green hydrogen production hub in the Cromarty Firth region and revolves around the local distilleries forming the baseload demand for early phases of the project, which would enable them to decarbonise in line with their own ambitions and sector targets.

Note.

1. In Cromarty Firth And Forth To Host First Green Freeports, I talk about how Cromarty Firth is going to be a green freeport.
2. The electrolyser is a medium-sized one at 10.6 MW.
3. Initially HGVs will take a large part of the output.

The distillers seem to be playing a large part. I assume it it’s because distilling needs a lot of heat to boil off all the water from a spirit.

The press release also gives this comment from Sarah Potts, Storegga’s Hydrogen Managing Director, who said.

After a lot of hard work by the integrated Storegga and ScottishPower project team, particularly over the past 18 months since the UK government launch of HAR1, I’m delighted that Cromarty has been selected by the UK government Department of Energy Security and Net Zero as one of 11 projects to be awarded a funding support contract. As an SME originating from North East Scotland, I believe Storegga is able to bring a unique perspective and ambition to deliver decarbonisation solutions for Scottish industry. We look forward to now being able to take the project forward to a final investment decision in 2024, with first production in 2026 and continuing to grow our hydrogen investments in the region.

The Cromarty Hydrogen Project appears to be a local project developed to satisfy a local need, but within Government policy.

Green Hydrogen 3

I wrote about this project in Government Hydrogen Boost To Help Power Kimberly-Clark Towards 100% Green Energy Target.

It is being developed by HYRO at Northfleet for Kimberly-Clark.

The press release also gives this comment from Alex Brierley, co-head of Octopus Energy Generation’s fund management team, who said.

This is a major milestone as this funding will enable HYRO to roll out green hydrogen projects at scale in hard-to-electrify industrial processes. Our first project will be working with Kimberly-Clark to flush away fossil fuels when manufacturing Andrex and Kleenex. We’ve got a big pipeline of projects to help even more industrial businesses decarbonise – and we’re on track to invest billions in this sector.

Note.

1. Will Andrex become the bog-roll of choice for the supporters of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil?
2. Octopus Energy seem to be getting their fingers into lots of projects.
3. I suspect that Octopus Energy will need billions.

I very much like the way that Kimberly-Clark are going and it will be interesting, if they bring out a sales philosophy based on low-carbon manufacture.

Hydrogen Blending

The press release talks of hydrogen blending.

Ministers have also announced their decision to support hydrogen blending in certain scenarios – subject to an assessment of safety evidence and final agreement.

Currently, less than 1% of the gas in distribution networks is hydrogen. Under proposals, hydrogen could be blended with other gases in the network as an offtaker of last resort, working to reduce costs in the hydrogen sector by helping producers, and to support the wider energy system.

Hydrogen blending may help achieve the UK’s net zero ambitions, but would have a limited and temporary role as the UK moves away from the use of natural gas.

When I was a wet-behind-the-ears young engineer working on ICI’s hydrogen plant at Runcorn in the 1960s, one of the topics over coffee was how can ICI find more markets for the hydrogen they produce. I suspect a lot of the excess hydrogen went to raise steam in ICI’s power station. That wasn’t very efficient or profitable.

But suppose it is deemed safe to have up to 5 % of hydrogen in the natural gas supply. Then an electrolyser operator, would know they have an offtaker of last resort, which would in effect set a minimum price for the hydrogen.

• I believe this could help their sales of hydrogen to heavy gas users, within easy reach by pipeline or truck of the electrolyser.
• It might also attract businesses with a heavy energy usage or large carbon emissions to relocate close to an electrolyser.

Allowing hydrogen blending will also mean that no expensive hydrogen is wasted.

The government’s proposal on hydrogen blending is very sensible.

Hydrogen In Home Heating

The press release says this about using hydrogen for home heating.

Ministers have decided not to proceed with a hydrogen trial in Redcar, as the main source of hydrogen will not be available. The government recognises the potential role of hydrogen in home heating and will assess evidence from the neighbourhood trial in Fife, as well as similar schemes across Europe, to decide in 2026 whether and how hydrogen could help households in the journey to net zero.

I believe the ideal way to heat homes and other buildings depends on what is available at the building’s location.

Promising ideas are coming through, but I haven’t seen one that will suit my circumstances.

But something will come through and my engineering instinct says it will be powered by natural gas and the carbon will be captured. The system would probably work on a district-wide basis.

HyMarnham

HyMarnham is probably the most unusual of the projects.

It is a collaboration between J G Pears and GeoPura.

J G Pears describe themselves like this on their web site.

JG Pears is one of the UK’s leading processors of animal by-products and food waste. Pioneering environmentally-aware practices since we started out in 1972, we play a vital role in the agricultural and food industries.

GeoPura has this mission statement on their web site.

GeoPura has a totally zero-emissions answer to how we’re going to generate, store and distribute the vast amount of energy required to decarbonise our global economies. Clean fuels. Green fuels. We believe that renewable energy is the future.

It appears that a 9.3 MW electrolyser will be built on the site of the demolished High Marnham coal-fired power station, which is shown on this Google Map.

Note.

1. The River Trent runs North-South across the map.
2. There are two villages of High and Low Marnham in the middle of the map.
3. The circles at the top of the map indicate the cooling towers of the demolished High Marnham power station.
4. The High Marnham power station site is now owned by J G Pears.
5. J G Pears Newark site is to the West of Low Marnham village.
6. In the North-East corner of the map is the Fledborough viaduct, which crosses the River Trent.
7. Network Rail’s High Marnham Test Track runs East-West across the map and uses the Fledborough viaduct to cross the Trent.

This second Google Map shows a close up of the former power station site.

Note.

1. Network Rail’s High Marnham Test Track runs East-West across the map at the top.
2. The remains of High Marnham power station can be clearly seen.
3. The sub-stations that connected the power station to the grid are still in place.

This article on Energy-Pedia is entitled UK: HyMarnham Power’s Green Hydrogen Project Shortlisted for UK’s Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and contains this paragraph.

Harnessing the expertise of GeoPura and JG Pears, the site will be powered by 43 MW of new solar energy and utilises 8MW of electrolysers; establishing a long-term supply of low carbon hydrogen in the region.

Note that the electrolysers are now sized at 9.3 MW.

It looks to me like one or both companies wanted an electrolyser and J G Pears had the site, so engineers and executives of the two companies got together in a decent real ale pub, started thinking and the result is HyMarnham.

• Electricity can come from the solar panels or the National Grid.
• Excess solar electricity can be exported through the National Grid.
• There is plenty of space on the site for a hydrogen filling station for vehicles.
• There could even be a filling point for refueling hydrogen-powered trains on the High Marnham Test Track.

The Energy-Pedia article indicates that GeoPura and JG Pears would like to get started this year.

Could the partners install a small electrolyser linked to the National Grid, initially, so that Network Rail has the ability to test hydrogen trains?

InchDairnie Distillery In Scotland

I have just looked at the InchDairnie Distillery web site.

• It looks a high class product.
• The company is best described as Scotch Whisky Reimagined.
• The company is based in Fife near Glenrothes.
• They appear to have just launched a rye whisky, which they are aiming to export to Canada, Japan and Taiwan.

The press release says this about InchDairnie.

InchDairnie Distillery in Scotland, who plan to run a boiler on 100% hydrogen for use in their distilling process.

That would fit nicely with the image of the distillery.

I suspect the hydrogen will be brought in by truck.

But would a zero-carbon whisky be a hit at Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil parties?

PD Ports In Teesside

The press release says this about PD Ports.

PD Ports in Teesside, who will use hydrogen to replace diesel in their vehicle fleet, decarbonising port operations from 2026

I’ve felt for some time, that ports and freight interchanges, where you have lots of cranes, trucks and other diesel-powered equipment running hither and thither, is a good application for hydrogen, as not only does it cut carbon-emissions, but it also provides cleaner air for the workforce.

PD Ports have a Wikipedia entry, where this is said about their operations.

As of 2013 PD Ports owns and operates the Ports of Tees and Hartlepool under the name Teesport. The company also operates the Hull Container Terminal at the Port of Hull, and provides stevedoring and warehousing services at the Port of Immingham; logistics and warehousing at the Port of Felixstowe, Scunthorpe, and Billingham; and operates a wharf on the Isle of Wight. The company also owns the short sea ports in Scunthorpe (Groveport), Howden (Howdendyke, River Ouse, Yorkshire), and Keadby (River Trent).

The company appears to be bigger, than just Teesport and this project could grow.

The hydrogen for this project in Teesport appears to come from Tees Green Hydrogen, which will be a 5.2 MW facility developed by EDF Renewables Hydrogen.

The press release also gives this comment from Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer Hydrogen RWE Generation, who said.

Today’s announcements on the first 2 hydrogen allocation rounds mark a significant milestone in the development of the UK hydrogen economy. They represent a shift from policy development to project delivery, giving industry more clarity on the route to final investment decisions. Alongside the wider policy publications, this demonstrates that the UK wants to be a leader in delivering the clean energy transition.

These early projects are vital not only in driving the production of electrolytic hydrogen but also in signalling the need to build-out the T&S infrastructure for its wider distribution.

As a company with ambitions to develop approximately 2 gigawatts of green hydrogen projects across all our markets, and to invest around 8 billion euros net in green technologies in the UK between 2024-2030, RWE looks forward to being part of building a thriving hydrogen ecosystem in the UK.

These are positive words from the German energy company; RWE.

Sofidel In South Wales

The press release says this about Sofidel.

Sofidel in South Wales, who will replace 50% of their current gas boiler consumption with hydrogen at their Port Talbot paper mill.

The Wikipedia entry for the Sofidel Group has this first paragraph.

Sofidel is an Italian multinational producer of tissue paper for sanitary and domestic use. The Sofidel Group was founded in 1966. It is one of the world leaders in the tissue paper market and the second largest producer in Europe behind Essity. The privately held company is owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families, has subsidiaries in 13 countries and more than 6,600 employees.

Note.

1. From the Wikipedia entry, it looks like the company has a good record on sustainability and has set itself good objectives.
2. Sofidel are nor far from Tata Steel, who could be another large hydrogen user.
3. Port Talbot will be a support port for the wind farms in the Celtic Sea.
4. This is a typical hydrogen application, which reduces emission of carbon dioxide.
5. But like me, have the Italian owners of the company been impressed with some of the Italian food, I’ve eaten in South Wales?
6. Are British sweeteners better than Italian ones?
7. The hydrogen for this project appears to come from HyBont Bridgend, which will be a 5.2 MW facility developed by Marubeni Europower.

The press release also gives this comment from Mr Tomoki Nishino, President and CEO of Marubeni Europower Ltd, who said.

Marubeni team is very honoured to be selected as a recipient of Hydrogen Allocation Round 1. Recently in October 2023, Marubeni signed an MoU with the UK government whereby we have shown our plan to invest £10 billion (along with our partners) into UK green business. We truly hope that a combination of HAR1 funding and Marubeni’s investment help decarbonize UK through HyBont, especially in the South Wales region.

It all seems to be happening in Port Talbot.

Tees Green Hydrogen

Tees Green Hydrogen is a 5.2 MW project being developed by EDF Renewables on Teesside.

The project has a web site, which has this project description on the home page.

Tees Green Hydrogen, will be a pioneering project, using the green electricity from nearby Teesside Offshore Wind Farm along with a new solar farm, which EDF Renewables UK intends to construct near Redcar, to power its hydrogen electrolyser.

The press release also gives this comment from Tristan Zipfel, Director of Strategy and Analysis at EDF Renewables UK, who said.

Today’s announcement is a huge leap forward for green hydrogen innovation which has the capacity to guarantee the long-term sustainability of industry in the North East. We are delighted that the government has given this vote of confidence in both EDF Renewables UK, Hynamics and the capacity of the region to be a world-leader in green technology and innovation.

The press release also gives this comment from Pierre de Raphelis-Soissan, CEO at Hynamics UK, who said.

This is a very important step towards realising the potential of Tees Green Hydrogen and making a ground breaking contribution to decarbonisation in the Tees Valley. The project is uniquely placed to be scalable in order that future demand can be met as hydrogen-based technology becomes the industrial norm.

Note.

1. The project will be powered by both wind and solar.
2. Hynamics is a subsidiary of EDF.
3. I suspect that this project will supply PD Ports with hydrogen.

This project looks like it could be just a starter for 5.2 MW.

West Wales Hydrogen

West Wales Hydrogen is a 14.2 MW project being developed by H2 Energy and Trafigura in West Wales.

The best source of information is this must-watch Youtube video.

• The company appears to be able to lease you a hydrogen truck on a pay per mile basis, at the same price as a diesel truck.
• Get the finance right for your customers and yourself and everybody will be happy.

I know it will work, as I used to own half a company that leased a lot of trucks in Ipswich.

• My experience, also says the model would work with taxis, Transit-sized vans, company cars and vehicles like Defenders.
• It would also work very well around Ipswich, like my company did.

The press release also gives this comment from Julien Rolland, CEO of H2 Energy Europe, who said.

We are very grateful for the support that the UK government has announced for our 20MW electrolytic hydrogen production facility, marking a significant milestone in our journey to develop South Wales’s first large-scale green hydrogen production plant. The facility will enable industry in South Wales to transition to using green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources.

The green hydrogen produced at Milford Haven will be used to displace natural gas and other fossil fuels in industrial and chemical processes and contribute to the decarbonisation of the local industry. The interest that we’ve already received from local industry means we are already reviewing the opportunity to scale up the facility.

I can see this model being applied all over the UK.

Whitelee Green Hydrogen

Whitelee Green Hydrogen is a 7.1 MW project being developed by Scottish Power close to the Whitelee Wind Farm.

The Whitelee Wind Farm has a comprehensive Wikipedia entry, where this is said about the future of the wind farm.

In May 2009, the Scottish Government granted permission for an extension to the wind farm to produce up to a further 130 megawatts of power, which would increase the total generating capacity of Whitelee to 452 MW.

In 2010 a 75 turbine extension commenced, adding an additional 217 MW of capacity, enough to power the equivalent of over 124,000 homes. This brought the total generating capacity of the wind farm up to 539 MW. Additionally, the extension added a further 44 km of trails to the site. John Sisk and Son Limited and Roadbridge were jointly appointed as Principal Contractors for the site during construction with Alstom Limited erecting and commissioning the wind turbines. 

In August 2012 Scottish Power announced that it was applying for a further small extension of five turbines on the west of the existing site, adding 12 MW of capacity. This was refused by the DPEA on 19 Oct 2016.

A £21 million (US$29.35 million) 50MW/50MWh grid battery is being added to improve resource utilization, with plans for a 40 MW solar farm and a 20 MW hydrogen electrolyzer.

The press release also gives this comment from Peter Jones, Director of ScottishPower Green Hydrogen Business, who said.

The first wave of production facilities like Whitelee and Cromarty will demonstrate that zero-emission hydrogen can be delivered at commercial scale and drive the development of a viable market for the green fuel. 

It will also create highly skilled green jobs across the UK and quickly support a world leading supply chain.

It’s early days for this burgeoning market and government support is to be welcomed to help deliver a future green hydrogen economy.

With 539 MW of wind, 40 MW of solar and a 50MW/50MWh grid battery to drive a 7.1 MW electrolyser, this should prove to be a reliable source of green hydrogen.

My Thoughts

I have a few extra thoughts.

Coverage Is Rather Patchy

Some areas of the UK don’t seem to be well-served with green hydrogen from this funding.

• East Suffolk with all those trucks going to and from the Port of Felixstowe. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
• Humberside with all its energy-hungry industries. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
• Hampshire with all those trucks going to and from the ports of Portsmouth and Southampton. But there is a lack of renewable energy.
• Lincolnshire with all those trucks going to and from Immingham. There’s certainly no lack of renewable energy.
• London with all those local trucks delivering building materials to sites all over the capital. But then the current Mayor doesn’t have a hydrogen policy.

I would assume, that some of these areas will be funded for hydrogen in the second round.

December 20, 2023 Posted by AnonW | Energy, Finance & Investment, Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | Barrow Green Hydrogen, Carlton Power, Cromarty Hydrogen Project, Distilleries, EDF, Extinction Rebellion, Green Freeport, Green Hydrogen, H2 Energy, High Marnham Test Track, HyBRADFORD, Hydrogen Blend, HyMarnham, Hynamics, HYRO, ICI, InchDairnie Distillery, Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, Just Stop Oil, Kimberly-Clark, Langage Green Hydrogen, Network Rail, Octopus Energy, Paper, PD Ports, RWE, Scotch Whisky, ScottishPower, Sofidel, Storegga, Tees Green Hydrogen, Teesport, Trafford Green Hydrogen, Trafigura, West Wales Hydrogen, Whitelee Wind Farm | 3 Comments