Jeff House, from Baxi Heating, explains how his company is working with gas network companies to test hydrogen-ready boilers, so they can be used to reduce our household heating, hot water and cooking emissions.
The UK’s first public showcase, demonstrating the use of 100% hydrogen fuelled appliances for heating and cooking, is being built at Northern Gas Network’s Low Thornley site, near Gateshead. It signals a clear step in the progression of hydrogen technology for heating UK homes. The innovative semi-detached properties are being built in partnership with the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and gas distribution network company Cadent.
The modular homes will feature prototypes of hydrogen-fuelled fires, cookers and hobs, as well as a Baxi 100% hydrogen boiler for heating and hot water. The appliances will be installed by partners working with BEIS on the Hy4Heat project.
This real-world demonstration of the technology marks a step change for the progression of hydrogen ‘from lab to field’, as more appliances are installed in trial projects across the UK and Europe. These trials replicate real life situations allowing not only demonstration of the technology but also valuable running data from the field.
Baxi has already been involved in a number of trials including ‘HyStreet’ in Cumbria, where hydrogen boilers were installed in specially built demonstration houses, to enable tests and research to prove the safety of converting homes and gas networks to hydrogen fuel.
Karen Boswell, Managing Director at Baxi Heating UK and Ireland, said: “We are hugely proud to be a part of another ground-breaking hydrogen heating project and remain at the forefront of low carbon development.
“Baxi Heating’s innovation and expertise with hydrogen technology, from lab research to participation in real-world trials, forms a key part of our commitment to a sustainable heating future. We are thrilled that this development will be used as a benchmark to educate the next generation in how we can provide clean, green energy to the homes of the future.”
For more information visit baxiheating.co.uk/the-future-of-heat
Notes to editor
Gas Goes Green #H2Explainers are a series of blogs setting all the key information you need to know about how Britain’s gas networks are working to deliver hydrogen to our homes, as part of our 'Tomorrow's Heat, Today's Opportunity' campaign. Check out the ENA Newsroom to find other articles and updates from both gas and electricity network companies.
About Energy Networks Association
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland.
ENA helps its members meet the challenge of delivering electricity and gas to communities across the UK and Ireland safely, sustainably and reliably.
Its members include every major electricity and gas network operator in the UK and Ireland, independent operators, National Grid ESO which operates the electricity system in Great Britain and National Gas which operates the gas system in Great Britain. Its affiliate membership also includes companies with an interest in energy, including Heathrow Airport and Network Rail.
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Energy network operators manage and maintain the wires, pipes and other infrastructure which delivers electricity and gas to your home, business and community. They are private companies which are regulated by Ofgem and employ around 40,000 people in Great Britain.
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Ed Gill
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