Abstract
Hydrogen has considerable potential as a low carbon fuel for the UK. Paradoxically however, current methods of extracting hydrogen produce carbon dioxide, so must be used in conjunction with carbon capture technologies. Extraction by electrolysis is low carbon, provided that renewable energy is used to generate the electricity required. However, this method has yet to be tried on a large scale.
The potential for re-using the existing gas pipe network, is another significant factor in promoting the case for hydrogen, although the current generation of domestic boilers would need to be replaced. To make a significant contribution to meeting the UK’s 2050 GHG (greenhouse gas) target, large-scale deployment to homes and businesses would need to be implemented over the next 30 years. This is ambitious, and so any decision to proceed will need to be sufficiently compelling to compensate for the lack of experience and comparatively short timescale.
