Hundreds of Tyneside homes and businesses are poised to take part in a pioneering 海角视频 energy pilot, amid moves by gas distributors to cut climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions.
Around 670 gas customers in Winlaton, Gateshead, will become the first in the 海角视频 to use blended hydrogen for heating and cooking in the HyDeploy project – a 10-month pilot scheme which is being backed by Gateshead Council and Northern Gas Networks.
The project is exploring how adding 20% zero-carbon hydrogen into the natural gas network can bring down CO2 emissions caused by heating homes, without needing to change customers’ appliances or behaviour.
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The first phase of the HyDeploy project is about to start at Keele University in Staffordshire, where customers on a private gas network will be using blended hydrogen for everyday heating and cooking.
When burnt, hydrogen only produces heat and water, making it a realistic solution for tackling decarbonisation as the 海角视频 looks towards its net zero emissions target of 2050.
From December 2020, the 670 homes and businesses in Winlaton will receive gas blended with 20% hydrogen, and the pilot won’t disrupt customers in terms of their gas appliances or the way they use gas at home.
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The HyDeploy scheme is backed by £22.5m of Ofgem innovation funding and represents a collaborative gas industry project, led by gas distributors Northern Gas Networks and Cadent, in partnership with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), clean energy project management specialists Progressive Energy, and a consortium of industry experts, who will lead the safe management of the pilot over the next two years.
Gateshead Council said it is backing HyDeploy as part of their commitment to tackling climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the region.
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Coun John McElroy, Gateshead Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport said: “We all have a duty to act to help prevent further climate breakdown which is already causing serious damage around the world.
“Gateshead Council has committed to being carbon neutral by 2030 and by taking part in innovative pilots such as these we can further help ensure Gateshead is making a positive contribution to reversing the effects of climate change.”
Mark Horsley, CEO of Northern Gas Networks said: “The North East has been a hotbed of innovation and engineering achievements since the 1800s, and we’re very proud to join this roster by bringing HyDeploy to Winlaton.
“As the 海角视频 looks towards a low carbon energy future and ways to cut emissions, we know customers are ready to embrace cleaner energy solutions.
“Using hydrogen in the existing gas network through projects like HyDeploy means we’re ensuring communities like Winlaton stay warm in their homes, while making a positive difference to climate change today.”
Ed Syson, chief safety and strategy officer at Cadent, said: “We know that the gas networks have a role to play in the 海角视频’s future energy needs, alongside wind and solar. We believe that using the existing network to deliver greener gas, is the most cost-effective way of heating our homes in the net zero future.”