Need to clarify levels of hydrogen readiness

The Industrial and Commercial Heating Equipment Association (ICOM) has launched a campaign to clarify the different levels of ‘hydrogen-readiness’ of boilers and other combustion products entering the market.

According to the trade body, three types of labels have been created which will signify different hydrogen products: hydrogenblend; hydrogen-ready; and 100% hydrogen.

Currently only hydrogen-blend is available on the market, however, with the UK’s first Hydrogen Champion, Jane Toogood, recently calling on government for a grid blending decision in 2023, ICOM is urging contractors to familiarise themselves now.

ICOM director Steve McConnell explains: “Use of hydrogen as an alternative to natural gas is a vital step in ensuring we can decarbonise heat in the UK. As a result, there are a growing number of products entering the market which are able to use hydrogen, to a lesser or greater degree. These are labelled in different ways, so it’s important that specifiers and end users understand the different levels of hydrogen-preparedness.

‘Hydrogen-blend’ products are able to run on natural gas with up to 20% hydrogen added. ‘Hydrogenready’ products are also able to use up to 20% blends now and, crucially, can be converted quickly and cheaply to 100% hydrogen in the future. ‘100% Hydrogen’ products sold in the future will be able to run on a 100% hydrogen gas network without any need for conversion.