Energy utilities’ plans to use hydrogen for domestic heating and cooking are out of touch with hydrogen’s risks and limitations.
That’s the scathing message from a new Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) report which told hydrogen producers that plan on relying on home heating as a market to “think again.”
The report’s headline findings warn that hydrogen in homes poses health and safety risks, could delay electrification, would produce NOx and is also inefficient.
“The future for hydrogen blending with natural gas for home heating and cooking is not bright, as the purported benefits are far from impressive and fail to stack up against the risks,” it reads.
Citing several studies and real-world experiences, the report warns of higher explosion potential, increased risks and the need for costly infrastructure for modification.
It says studies caution that blends exceeding 20% hydrogen amplify ignition hazards, pipeline permeation and equipment malfunctions, requiring enhanced safety protocols and frequent inspections.
Additionally, the report says using hydrogen in homes is inefficient for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to compression requirements leading to increased energy consumption.
Furthermore, it calls into question the availability of hydrogen gas and its infrastructure.
“Not only does burning hydrogen in homes pose a health and safety risk but it will also delay electrification, resulting in the prolonged combustion of gas in homes,” said IEEFA energy policy analyst and report co-author, Suzanne Mattei.
Despite the IEEFA report adding to the growing number of studies pushing against hydrogen heating, the pathway is still seen as a pragmatic route to decarbonising domestic heating, using existing infrastructure.
Proponents suggest hydrogen heating may depend on regional energy infrastructure, with some companies like the UK continuing to explore its use. They also argue that with proper measures, hydrogen can be as safe as natural gas.
Others believe blending hydrogen into gas networks could provide a guaranteed offtake backstop while demand for the clean energy carrier builds.
SGN is readying its newly built 8.4km hydrogen gas network in Scotland ahead of trialling the use of the gas in heating this year.
Read more:8.4km Scottish hydrogen network completed ahead of community heating trial
The H100 Fife project now stands as the only government-backed hydrogen heating trial after two similar schemes in Redcar and Whitby were waived off following major public opposition.
Is there a future for hydrogen heating?
While hydrogen itself is often the focus of debate, its use as a means to heat homes has become one of the most divisive topics in the industry. Although it most certainly is not an isolated concern, the UK can be used to portray the hydrogen for heating debate on levels transcending technicality and finances.
The potential for hydrogen heating homes has been hailed as a way to easily transition the natural gas-heated housing stock to zero-emissions. The UK in particular is a region that could significantly benefit from the method, with 20.7 million or 88% of English dwellings having a gas-fired heating system, according to the UK Government’s English Housing Survey 2020-20211.
Additionally, the need to find an alternative to natural gas-fired heating is ever-increasing against the UK’s 2050 Net Zero agenda, with the heating sector accounting for almost one-third of the UK’s annual carbon footprint and 17% of heating emissions from buildings coming from homes2.
The idea of heating hydrogen is often painted as a simple task: change your boiler and a few appliances to hydrogen-compliant alternatives and carry on as usual – and to some degree, that is correct…
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