here<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\nAs a company – we are contributing to a greener future:<\/strong><\/p>\nThe government has already allocated \u00a325m towards a high-profile study called “Hy4Heat”. This study, which as a company, we are actively involved in, will look at a range of work packages which will help establish the parameters for using hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas in our homes and also commercial premises.
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\nIn our Hy4Heat consortium, we are specifically looking at the viability of developing gas fires which can safely run on hydrogen. We like to think being involved in such an exciting and forward-thinking study demonstrates our commitment to decarbonising heat in the UK, and being at the forefront of fire development for the future.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/charltonandjenrick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Screenshot-2019-03-04-at-16.29.10-1024x431.png\")
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Hy4Heat – Their Mission:<\/strong><\/p>\n“To establish if it is technically possible, safe, and convenient to replace natural gas (methane) with hydrogen in residential and commercial buildings and gas appliances. This will enable the government to determine whether to proceed to a community trial.” <\/em>More can be found at their website – https:\/\/www.hy4heat.info\/ <\/strong><\/p>\nHydrogen – Energy:<\/strong><\/p>\nApart from hydrogen not emitting any carbon when it is burnt, there are also some more great advantages of such, essentially from it’s energy output. Hydrogen contains a large amount of energy. There is the same energy in 1kg of hydrogen as there is in 2.8kg of gasoline.<\/p>\n
For each million British Thermal Units (BTU) of energy (the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit), natural gas will emit 117lbs of CO2, while coal will produce 228lbs. If we were to switch the UK’s entire gas system to hydrogen, it would cut carbon emissions by (as a minimum) 73%. This would go a very long way in making a cleaner, greener environment for all.
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\nHydrogen: Explosion Risk: <\/strong><\/p>\nIt’s a well-known fact that hydrogen is highly flammable. Often, when you talk to someone about a hydrogen-fuelled item, whether a car or fire, they will quickly point this fact out – often with a distinct air of worry in their voice. But it’s not as terrifying an idea as people first imagine. Hydrogen has a very small molecule size, and so if there is a release of hydrogen, it is possible that it will be less likely to become flammable than compared to natural gas.<\/p>\n
Hydrogen: Draw Backs:<\/strong><\/p>\nAlthough hydrogen does not emit CO2 at the point of use, the process of making it does. Around 90% of the world\u2019s hydrogen is produced in steam methane reformers. This combines natural gas with high-temperature steam, separating the hydrogen and the carbon, the latter sequestered, captured and stored. This needs to be done effectively so that carbon is not leaked and released into the atmosphere. Another way of mitigating carbon emissions for Hydrogen production is to use surplus grid electricity to electrolyse hydrogen from water. This becomes especially viable when excess green wind or solar energy can be converted to Hydrogen and stored or passed into the gas supply grid instead of being wasted.<\/p>\n
Despite the drawbacks associated with hydrogen, there are a lot of very significant advantages, which have been made clear in this article. Close attention will need to be paid to many things to ensure a safe transition from gas to hydrogen prevails – whenever or wherever possible.<\/p>\n
Hy4Heat – Story Board:<\/strong><\/p>\n