First-Ever Hydrogen Week UK Commences

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14 February 2023 | Updated 15 February 2023

The UK is holding its first Hydrogen Week, celebrating hydrogen’s role in switching to a low-carbon future.

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Taking place between 13-19 February 2023, it will bring together partners from industry, academia and government to celebrate hydrogen with a week-long awareness campaign.

The campaign is being led by the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA), which aims to bring all regions of the UK together to cement the nation’s role as a world leader in hydrogen.

Clare Jackson, Chief Executive of Hydrogen UK said: “The inaugural UK Hydrogen Week couldn’t come at a more crucial time. The UK has an incredible opportunity to become a world leader in low-carbon hydrogen, but this will only materialise if government, industry, and the public work together to make this a reality. We hope that UK Hydrogen Week can be a springboard for engaging a greater audience around the incredible benefits of hydrogen in delivering net-zero!”

"The gas networks currently deliver 900TWh of energy every year, something that cannot be replaced by electricity alone. We need hydrogen to be a major player in the energy mix, replacing natural gas across heat, industry and as a reliable resilient back up when renewables are not available.” 

–Tim Harwood

Hydrogen Programme Director – Northern Gas Networks

Supporting the Hydrogen Economy

A recent report by Hydrogen UK and its members argues that to deliver energy security for the UK, a strong hydrogen economy is necessary. Hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in the UK’s future energy mix, as a low-carbon fuel which can help the switch to a greener future.

The UK’s first-ever hydrogen strategy launched in 2021 and set out the case for a hydrogen economy, citing existing projects such as the Acorn Hydrogen project, which is taking advantage of existing infrastructure to reform North Sea natural gas into low-carbon hydrogen.

The report recommends that a national strategy to decarbonise industry is needed, alongside a strategic planning body which facilitates the coordination between networks and storage infrastructure projects.

Tim Harwood, Hydrogen Programme Director at Northern Gas Networks said: “This report demonstrates beyond doubt that the UK requires a mix of all types of low carbon energy across generation, industry and heat, if it is to meet its climate change objectives, but also to meet energy resilience targets in situations where renewables can’t meet demand. The gas networks currently deliver 900TWh of energy every year, something that cannot be replaced by electricity alone. We need hydrogen to be a major player in the energy mix, replacing natural gas across heat, industry and as a reliable resilient back up when renewables are not available.” 

Read More About Hydrogen:

• The UK’s Hydrogen Economy – Industry Reactions
• Rinnai and Toyota Collaborate on New Hydrogen Technology
• Ammonia to Hydrogen Project Backed by Government
• Hydrogen Energy – How Will it Affect the Commercial Market?

Picture: a graphic showing several bubbles with the words "H2" inside. Image Credit: Pixabay

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 14 February 2023

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