Talking Heads

TALKING HEADS Mark Griffin

Mark Griffin is business development manager at BOC

A future role for hydrogen

Investment in large-scale hydrogen storage facilities supports the growth of renewable energy and brings benefits to local authorities, says Mark Griffin D ecarbonising transport is high on the agenda for many city councils and local authorities, and hydrogen-powered vehicles are increasingly seen could also be made available to the public – a potential game changer in terms of the cost of hydrogen at the pump. Finally, large-scale hydrogen storage facilities will help support the grid as as an attractive option. But when hydrogen renewables become a larger part of the transport is combined with large-scale energy mix – bringing benefits to everyone storage, it can play a much bigger role in involved. “The UK grid benefits from cutting carbon emissions, believes Mark increased flexibility, while hydrogen storage Griffin, business development manager at facility owners benefit from financial BOC. incentives offered for grid balancing

According to the National Grid Future activities,” states Griffin. “Transport Energy Scenario, the UK needs to increase companies then benefit from reduced prices its capacity for renewable generation to in hydrogen fuel. And of course, everybody about 100GW to reach its target of net zero benefits from lower transport emissions by 2050. “That’s about double the capacity and reduced carbon emissions as renewable that was in place at the end of 2019,” Griffin energy becomes more viable.” states. “But the more we rely on renewable Griffin: 'everybody benefits from reduced carbon While the initial investment required for sources of energy, the harder it is for emissions as renewable hydrogen storage is high, it becomes feasible electricity suppliers to balance supply and energy becomes more viable' for city councils and local authorities when demand. This is where large-scale hydrogen they begin converting transport hubs to storage facilities come in. By storing surplus ‘Driving up the demand for hydrogen hydrogen power. energy, they can help to balance the grid – a win-win situation for all parties. Electricity opens up different investment models’ “When cities are able to commit to fleets of 50-100 vehicles or more, the economics suppliers get the flexibility they need, electricity to pump water from a reservoir to a higher elevation. This of hydrogen refuelling change dramatically, city councils and local authorities receive is one of the most efficient ways of storing energy – but relies on very adds Griffin. “Driving up demand for large financial rewards for grid balancing, and the large-scale geographical solutions. Most of the sites where PSH could volumes of hydrogen opens the door to price of clean hydrogen fuel for transport be effective are in use and creating new sites would have a significant different investment models, including the comes down for everyone.” impact on the environment.” option to have BOC fund the capital cost of

Energy storage can balance supply and Large-scale battery storage facilities offer another way to store the refuelling station.” demand, believes Griffin. When electricity electricity. The recently completed Pelham Battery Storage Project One of the best examples of this is the demand is high, energy companies in Hertfordshire can store up to 50MW and release it to add capacity Kittybrewster refuelling station in Aberdeen. must either bring more power online or to the grid when needed. “Its big advantage is flexibility and speed of BOC worked with Aberdeen City Council to encourage users to reduce demand. When reaction. But battery storage facilities tend to have a relatively short develop and install a tailored, state-of-the-art demand is low, suppliers must either lower discharge time – making them less suitable for prolonged shortages hydrogen refuelling station at Kittybrewster. production or find ways to store the surplus of power,” states Griffin. The facility produces green hydrogen from power. “The driving force behind this is the A third option, however, is hydrogen. Using electrolysis, electrolysis on site. Hydrogen is stored as a requirement to keep alternating current at a hydrogen can act as a very cost-effective energy store, which has compressed gas until it is needed and then continuous frequency of 50hz," he observes. similar performance to PSH without requiring suitable geographical pumped into vehicles, much like refuelling "A shift in the balance of supply and demand features. “The flexibility of the proton exchange membrane a petrol or diesel vehicle. The station opened will affect the frequency – so electricity technology used within the electrolyser enables the electrolysis in 2015 and was originally designed to refuel producers, suppliers and traders must work process to be switched on and off very quickly to help balance the single-deck buses. In 2018 it was scaled up to together with large consumers to ensure the grid. Its long discharge time – particularly when stored at scale – offer public refuelling of cars and vans, with grid remains stable.“ makes it a natural choice to complement battery and hydro as a further upgrades to accommodate double

If large energy users are able to react means of balancing the grid,” he adds. decker buses. quickly to vary their electricity demand on Griffin adds: “With an expanding fleet request, they can, of course, get paid for City councils can benefit from financial incentives of hydrogen buses and other vehicles, their flexibility by grid operators.” A shift towards large-scale hydrogen storage will also provide a Aberdeen City is now reaping the rewards

There is a number of ways to store supply of affordable clean fuel for transport. By investing in large- of hydrogen as a fuel. With the potential to surplus electricity, and each has its own scale hydrogen projects, city councils can benefit from financial provide energy storage and grid balancing unique advantages, adds Griffin. “Pumped incentives offered for grid balancing and put the infrastructure in services, there are opportunities to develop storage hydroelectricity uses surplus place needed to decarbonise transport hubs. These refuelling stations the role of hydrogen even further.” 