Gateshead’s Winlaton to host hydrogen pilot

Hydrogen-as-a-fuel specialists HyDeploy will be running a pilot hydrogen fuel project in Winlaton from December 2020, with 670 homes receiving a blend of 20% hydrogen in their gas supply.

There should not be any disruption to customers’ gas appliances or how they use gas in their homes over the 10-month demonstration. The project is aimed at providing information on how hydrogen can be safely used as a fuel more practically, more widely and more cost-effectively.

Other key players involved

The scheme is supported by Gateshead Council as part of its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and become carbon neutral by 2030. Northern Gas Networks, who are part of the HyDeploy roster, are also supporting the pilot.

The hydrogen gas for the project will be supplied by ITM Electrolyser, an electrically driven plant that will split water into hydrogen and oxygen, with the plant to be driven from renewable energy sources. HyDeploy is a consortium of energy industry specialists led by Northern Gas Networks and Cadent together with energy project management experts Progressive Energy and the Health and Safety Executive.

Energy expert view

“It is really very interesting to see the use of hydrogen as part of the gas mix being provided across a public gas supply network, especially hydrogen generated from renewable sources. Hopefully the outcomes from the trial will support the development of hydrogen as part of the gas mix more widely across gas distribution networks, which could greatly help in reducing carbon based emissions.” Alastair Fells MEI, Incorporated Eng, PG Dip Fuel Tech, BSc Hons

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