Hydrogen could ‘nearly double’ cost of heating a home compared with gas

theguardian.com:

Ministers’ plans to pin the UK’s energy hopes on hydrogen could nearly double the cost of heating a home by the end of the decade compared with natural gas, research has shown.

Using hydrogen for home heating could prove much a more expensive option than natural gas, according to the leading energy analysts Cornwall Insight. Between now and 2050, when the UK is legally bound to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions, using hydrogen would add about 70% to home energy bills compared with using gas, according to the report, commissioned by renewable energy charity MCS Foundation.

Jitendra Patel, senior consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: “While hydrogen does have a part to play in the decarbonisation pathway, through for example use in the industrial sectors and in the use of surplus electricity, current and forecast costs all show it is simply uneconomical to use 100% hydrogen fuel for heating our homes.”

Ministers are poised to allow hydrogen to be blended with fossil fuel gas in the UK’s gas networks, as a way of reducing carbon emissions from home heating. They are also considering a potential large-scale rollout of hydrogen to supply gas boilers in homes from 2026.

In the mini-budget unveiled by the chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, on Friday, there was apromise to boost five hydrogen infrastructure projects.

Hydrogen supporters argue that the gas could be used with little need to upgrade the UK’s existing network of gas pipes and gas boilers, which make up the vast majority of home heating systems in most parts of the country.

But serious concerns have been raised over the use of hydrogen, with some experts warning that it faces technical difficulties that could prove insurmountable.

Michael Liebreich, chair of Liebreich