SCOTLAND’S ANSWER TO THE GLOBAL ENERGY MIX?

By Professor Gillian Murray, deputy principal for business and enterprise at Heriot-Watt University.

In the UK, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is happening at pace. Last year [2022], more than 40% of our electricity demands were met by a rolling combination of solar, wind and hydro - a figure which is expected to rise year-on-year as we approach the end of the decade.

However, Britain’s relative success in moving away from polluting energy sources is not indicative of the global picture. Worldwide reliance on gas and oil is still estimated to be a staggering 80%. Clearly there’s plenty of work still to be done if we’re to meet our net zero objectives by the middle of the century.

Many of us will remember from days studying science at school that hydrogen is the most abundantly available element on the planet. In recent years, its profile as a promising clean energy solution, capable of decarbonising vital economic sectors and heavy industries by providing flexible energy across heat, power and transport, has risen considerably.

Among the various different types of hydrogen at our disposal today - blue, grey, even pink - green hydrogen stands out as a particularly attractive option due to its potential to deliver emissions-free energy.

BOOSTING BRITAIN’S HYDROGEN SECTOR

Such is the belief in the potential success of green hydrogen, Britain’s central and devolved governments have earmarked the low-carbon energy source to be a critical part of the country’s energy mix as part of its strategies to meet net zero objectives by 2045 in Scotland and 2050 across the rest of the UK.

The UK Government, in particular, has set an ambitious commitment of delivering up to 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production by 2030. For context, a single GW is enough to power the UK’s entire chemical industry or around a million homes for an hour.

Here in Scotland, the Scottish Government recently published its own draft Energy Strategy and ‘Just Transition Plan’ setting out plans to kickstart the production of low carbon hydrogen - as well as carbon capture and storage - as part of its ambition to decrease industrial emissions by 43% by 2032.

It’s estimated that Scotland’s energy-intensive industries are responsible for as much as 15% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Unravelling Different Solutions

Despite its immense potential, several barriers currently hinder the widespread implementation of green hydrogen production.

Electrolysis, the process whereby water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, takes a lot of energy. This presents two key challengesone being that the production of hydrogen often requires more energy than it creates and the other being that this means hydrogen is only ever as clean and green as the energy that goes into making it.

So if we’re to realise a sustainable future and a truly renewable global energy mix, what can be done to solve production challenges, explore truly green hydrogen solutions and unlock the potential of this radical technology? That’s where academia and universities like Heriot-Watt, where I work, come into play.

WORKING HAND-IN-HAND WITH INDUSTRY

Over the last few years we have seen a range of truly innovative and groundbreaking solutions developed that are helping us achieve our net zero ambitions. Aided by advancements in biochemical science, the dedicated efforts of academics and researchers is helping us to produce hydrogen which is increasingly carbon-neutral.

This year [2023], I had the extreme pleasure of announcing a new centre for green hydrogen innovation and product development hosted at our Edinburgh campus in collaboration with Scottish hydrogen technologies experts Logan Energy and PlusZero.

The newly named ‘Hydrogen Works’ building will see Heriot-Watt University collaborate across a range of hydrogen-related research and industry projects including clean-power generators, state-of-the-art refuelling infrastructure and cutting-edge energy systems for heavy industry.

As part of the initiative, PlusZero will undertake research innovation and product development into clean power generators to help meet the varied and energy-intensive demand for portable power in events, outdoor filming, construction and industrial sectors.

Through the new facility, Logan Energy aims to further develop and roll-out standardised, proven hydrogen technologies which will accelerate the transition from fossil fuels and encourage the wider adoption of renewable energy sources across industry and society.

The Wallyford-based company has more than 26 years experience in delivering projects and solutions in the hydrogen and clean energy sectors. It specialises in integrated engineering solutions that incorporate hydrogen technologies including production, refuelling, storage, distribution, and fuel cells.

CEO, Bill Ireland, recently quipped that the new facility and partnership is a ‘pivotal moment for hydrogen, Scotland and the UK’s energy mix’. I find it hard to disagree.

Both PlusZero and Logan Energy bring with them teams of hydrogen and engineering specialists who will give the facility an unprecedented edge in fast-evolving hydrogen technologies.

Collaboration For Good

With demand for net zero technologies greater than ever, this collaboration also demonstrates the innovative ways academ- ia, industry and enterprise can work cheekby-jowl to meet our collective energy-solution needs.

The prospects of what’s on the horizon for Hydrogen Works is truly fascinating. And it excites me that some of the products and solutions developed right here in Scotland, as well as across our global campuses in Dubai and Malaysia, will deliver the hydrogen technologies critical to the world’s net zero objectives.

At Heriot-Watt, we have a proud history of working hand-in-hand with businesses and researchers to open up new collaboration opportunities around the world. Hydrogen Works is an excellent example of how co-location within close proximity of these two entities can drive engagement and help accelerate growth through access to innovation, talent and entrepreneurial minds.

In the year ahead, we have exciting plans to build upon this success. We’re currently developing a further 80 acres of land on our Research Park in Edinburgh to house even more innovative companies. This will support us to dramatically scale our collaborative ventures with industry and drive innovation at pace.

Making Sure Hydrogen Works

The future for green hydrogen looks promising. Our partnership between Logan Energy and PlusZero gives us every opportunity to build on that promise and create a strong business cluster in Scotland around the future opportunities hydrogen brings to our economy.

We must decarbonise our cities and countries, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and achieve our net zero targets.

Putting our right foot forward with green hydrogen innovations will further drive that change at an industrial and domestic scale. We find ourselves at the forefront of this environmental and economic transformation. The opportunity is out there, can we make hydrogen work this time around? c

For more information regarding Heriot-Watt University or Logan Energy, please contact: grid@hw.ac.uk

About Heriot-Watt University Research Park: Located at Riccarton Campus on the west side of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University Research Park has long established links with Heriot-Watt University and is recognised internationally as a centre for high calibre science and engineering research. The Park offers a unique campus in which to work and learn as well as bespoke accommodation solutions to match your requirements and exceed your expectations.