In this article, we look at hydrogen in depth and how it may be utilised to keep our boilers running for years to come.

The UK government is committed to achieving carbon neutrality, and because natural gas is a significant source of carbon emissions, low-carbon options such as hydrogen are expected to take its place in the near future.

It's worth noting that, while a 100 percent hydrogen-ready boiler isn't yet for sale, industry leaders like Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, and Baxi are making significant progress with their prototypes and testing.

The new Viessmann Vitodens 100, which was launched in 2021 and is currently hydrogen ready, can accept a 20:80 hydrogen blend.

The Energy Minister informed the House of Commons, in an update on June 5, 2019, that the first hydrogen-powered houses in the United Kingdom will be available for purchase in April 2021 and are planned to be built in Gateshead, London.

From 2021, Fife, Scotland will be the first region in the UK to test hydrogen appliances in over 300 homes and receive hydrogen gas straight from the grid.

WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE A BACKUP OPTION FOR GAS BOILERS?

The production of greenhouse gases, such as natural gas, is one of the major causes of global warming.

The world's temperature has risen due to CO2 buildup in the atmosphere, which prevents these gases from escaping into space and trapping them instead.

In 2016, the UK government, together with the world's major economies, committed to reducing global warming by 2050 as part of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

As a result, the government's low-carbon strategy is based on traditional heating appliances, which currently account for one-third of UK carbon emissions. Change is unavoidable as a result of this.

Carbon-free heating systems, such as heat pumps, solar, biomass, and hydrogen boilers, are all crucial components in meeting the goals.

Residential boilers have already been the target of significant legislation, notably a prohibition on non-condensing boilers and all new boilers being at least 90% efficient, as well as a proposed ban on natural gas appliances in newly constructed houses from 2025.

However, the fact is that most UK homes rely on gas boilers for heat, and many experts believe replacing all of them with solar and heat pumps is infeasible.

Because of this, hydrogen-ready boilers are considered to be the most viable option since they can make use of the present infrastructure, and engineers will continue to be competitive in price.

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SO, WHY HYDROGEN BOILERS AND NOT SOLAR OR HEAT PUMPS? 

There are still several roadblocks in the way of low-carbon heat adoption, as a recent study by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) revealed that it will take more than 700 years for the UK to make the transformation at current rates.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has also predicted that replacing each home's heating system with a low-carbon one will cost around £26,000 on average.

Hydrogen fuel is a possible remedy for these hurdles, which take advantage of the existing gas infrastructure and is connected to 80% of residences. As a result, many industry experts believe that replacing the energy source rather than the heating system in every house is a more realistic option.

The feasibility of delivering hydrogen into homes via the gas network is presently under examination by the EAC and CCC, since burning hydrogen results in just vapour and no carbon dioxide.

WHAT IS A HYDROGEN BOILER? 

Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, and BAXI are working on hydrogen boilers that can use both natural gas and hydrogen as a fuel source.

Hydrogen boilers resemble contemporary gas boilers and are installed in similar ways. They would be linked to the gas mains and either hydrogen or natural gas fed into them from there, much like current natural gas boilers.

The internal components would be quite similar to a natural gas boiler. Minor modifications include the addition of new elements such as a hydrogen-ready flame detector and burner.

Gas engineers will be given new training when and if the gas network changes to using hydrogen, according to experts.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE A HYDROGEN BOILER RIGHT NOW?

As of early 2021, it will not be possible to buy a hydrogen-ready boiler, and it would make little sense because there is no existing supply of hydrogen gas.

For several years, both Worcester Bosch and Viessmann have been developing their hydrogen-ready prototypes and have made considerable progress, with both firms testing them in specific locations within the UK.

It's expected that hydrogen-ready boilers will be available by 2025 and beyond, as a result of the planned gas boiler ban for new homes.

The major benefit of a hydrogen-ready boiler is that it can continue to operate on natural gas until hydrogen gas becomes available. This will allow the country as a whole to make the switch to a carbon-free option in an organised and timely manner, with minimal disruption to heating homes.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROGEN BOILERS

The global hydrogen boiler market is still in its pre-commercialisation stage, yet two industry giants are already hard at work on it: Viessmann and Worcester Bosch. They've been developing their hydrogen ready boilers, and they continue to provide updates to the sector.

The new technology is able to use both natural gas and hydrogen, making them the ideal transitional device because they may be used before and after the new appliances arrive.

WHY, ON THE OTHER HAND, DOES HYDROGEN RECEIVE SO MUCH ATTENTION?

EMISSIONS ARE CARBON-FREE.

• Fossil fuels, such as oil, gas, and coal, all emit large amounts of carbon dioxide when burned. This is a major cause of global warming. Hydrogen, on the other hand, only yields water and no carbon dioxide.

EXISTING GAS INFRASTRUCTURE CAN BE USED 

• One of the most significant advantages of hydrogen is that it only entails a change in fuel source, making it considerably easier and faster to implement across the country. It also avoids the expenses and education involved with families switching to entirely new heating systems.

THE EFFICIENCY OF HYDROGEN IS GREATER THAN THAT OF NATURAL GAS.

• There is the same amount of energy in 1 kg of hydrogen as there is in 2.8 kg of gas, therefore you can heat homes just as effectively but with less fuel.

DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROGEN BOILERS 

Unfortunately, there are some doubts about the viability of hydrogen heating, but this is currently being studied by the EAC and CCC.

PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN IS NOT INEXPENSIVE. 

• According to the energy firm Centrica, hydrogen is unquestionably a part of the solution, but it believes that the technology will be at least ten years away from producing it cleanly and cost are unknown.

• There are two primary technologies for generating hydrogen today: electrolysis and Steam Methane Reforming (SMR).

• Electrolysis is the process of splitting water molecules into two distinct hydrogen atoms using a high-voltage current. This is the most ecologically friendly way to generate hydrogen when electricity is generated via renewable resources.

• The second most popular technique is Steam Methane Reforming, in which steam is used to react with methane. This method produces a carbon by-product as a side effect of generating hydrogen. Although it isn't all bad, the carbon generated can usually be captured before it enters the atmosphere.

• Both hydrogen production methods are at present expensive, and they will not be viable for the general market where trillions of barrels of hydrogen will be required to sustain a nationwide supply.

HYDROGEN IS COMBUSTIBLE.

• Hydrogen is arguably far more combustible than gas, owing to its energy storage, however it also has no smell, so detectors are an important element of their usage in order to ensure safety.

STORAGE ISN’T EASY 

• Because hydrogen is lighter than natural gas, it's more difficult to store and transport. To ensure proper conditions, it must be changed into a liquid and kept at a low temperature.

WHEN WILL HYDROGEN-READY BOILERS BE AVAILABLE IN THE UK? 

Manufacturing companies like Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, and Baxi have created prototype hydrogen-ready boilers, but the lack of hydrogen fuel production is still a problem that requires a solution. The British government is collaborating with businesses and academics to find solutions, including initiatives such as HyDeploy, which is testing a 20:80 natural gas and hydrogen mix that requires no significant changes to boilers or the installation process. The Hy4Heat project is investigating the safety and viability of a complete hydrogen network, and the UK government has pledged £20 million to the Hydrogen Supply Programme to fund projects like HeDeploy. The National Grid is also partnering with organizations such as OFGEM, SGN, and the Scottish Government to trial hydrogen use on the grid. In Fife, Scotland, over 300 homes will be equipped with hydrogen boilers, cookers, and appliances and fed with hydrogen gas at no extra cost by the end of 2022, as part of the National Grid Hydrogen Project. The trial is set to last around 4 years, and it is anticipated that 1,000 homes could eventually be included.

HOW MUCH WOULD HYDROGEN BOILERS COST?

As there are no commercially available hydrogen boilers, the current price is unknown. However, the industry is aiming to make hydrogen boilers as accessible as current gas boilers. Currently, the cost of a standalone combi boiler or system boiler can range from £600 to £2,000 depending on the size and quality, with budget models costing around £600 to £900, mid-range models costing £900 to £1,200, and premium models costing £1,000 to £2,000. A regular or heat-only boiler can cost anywhere between £500 to £2,000 depending on various factors, such as the brand of boiler, the current type of boiler, whether you want any extras like filters, and whether you want to move your boiler to a different location. It's important to consider all of these factors when considering the cost of a hydrogen boiler.