2020

17 DECEMBER 2020, FOCUS GROUP AND LITERATURE REVIEW PUBLISHED

This report, by CAG Consulting, sets out the findings from the research and presents reflections on the implications of the findings for any future community hydrogen heating trials. The literature review was a short, focused review aimed at identifying evidence relevant to members of the public being asked to take part in a hypothetical community trial. The four focus groups were held in-person in two city locations, Manchester and Birmingham in November 2019. They involved people who either owned or rented houses (not flats) connected to the gas grid. Two of the focus groups involved owner-occupiers, one was with private landlords and the other was with a mixture of tenants (private, social and student).

23 November 2020, Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch install Hy4Heat hydrogen burning boilers in specially-built demonstration houses at DNV GL’s test site

The Northumberland site has been used to complete over 200 tests, researching and proving the safety of converting homes and gas networks to hydrogen. The project is part of H21, a Network Innovation Competition project sponsored by Ofgem. Northern Gas Networks is leading the project with partners Cadent, Scottish Gas Networks, Wales & West Utilities, National Grid, DNV GL and the Health and Safety Executive’s science division. H21 is demonstrating how existing natural gas networks can be repurposed to safely carry 100% hydrogen.

4 November 2020, Understanding Commercial Appliances report published

Environmental Resources Management has conducted a market research study (work package 5a) into the variety of commercial appliances and the issues to be addressed in their conversion or replacement with hydrogen appliances: Understanding Commercial Appliances.

28 october 2020, IGEM’s LONDON, SOUTHERN & EASTERN SECTION HYDROGEN SERIES WEBINAR

Hy4Heat programme manager Heidi Genoni and Baxi Boilers’ Jeff House, head of public affairs, presented on how hydrogen could assist transition to a net carbon future. Heidi Genoni’s slide presentation is here.

23 October 2020, GRANT CALL TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF A FIXED FACILITY TO DEMONSTRATE NOVEL HYDROGEN APPLIANCES

BEIS is seeking to support the construction of up to two fixed facilities to demonstrate hydrogen appliances and meters in a realistic domestic setting. The primary aims are to:

• showcase the potential for hydrogen to act as a credible substitute for methane in the home

• gather research and evidence on the interaction between consumer / user and appliances in a domestic setting

The total budget available for this call is £750,000, to be allocated between up to two projects.

Deadline for applications: Noon 20 November 2020

14 AUGUST 2020, HYDROGEN ODORANT REPORT PUBLISHED

This study focused on identifying a suitable odorant for use with 100% hydrogen as fuel for domestic hydrogen boilers and cookers. The research involved a review of existing odorants used primarily for natural gas - including Odorant NB - and a number of other odorants based on available literature. The results confirm that Odorant NB would be a suitable one, as it meets the minimum requirements for odorants already used in natural gas.

10 August 2020, WP2b milestone guidance published

We’ve published the milestone 2b guidance note for work package 4 - the development of domestic hydrogen appliances.

7 AUGUST 2020, REMOTE MILESTONE REVIEW GUIDANCE NOTE

We’ve published the remote milestone review guidance that we’ve issued to manufacturers appointed to deliver appliances, components and meters. Remote review provides the option to verify milestone delivery without requiring physical site visits.

13 JULY 2020, global creative communications group to develop appliance demonstration facilities

DRPG has been appointed by BEIS to design and develop hydrogen appliance demonstration facilities. DRPG will be providing exhibition displays, moveable showroom and cooking demo unit, for events, conferences and exhibitions in the future.

22 June 2020, CONTINENTAL AND PIETRO FIORENTINI APPOINTED WP4B CONTRACTS

Continental and Pietro Fiorentini have been appointed by BEIS, under work package 4b, to develop ancillary equipment including control valves and excess flow valves, needed for the safe installation of hydrogen appliances.

11 MAY 2020, COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK SOLUTION FOR HYDROGEN

Energy & Utility Skills has been appointed to develop a Competency Framework for the training, accreditation, and registration of gas engineers working with hydrogen. The framework will enable people working with hydrogen gas appliances to acquire the required knowledge and skills to operate in a competent and safe way.

27 APRIL 2020, PAS 4444: 2020 PUBLISHED

PAS 4444:2020 gives guidance on the development and construction of hydrogen-fired gas appliances, either appliances purpose-built to use hydrogen or appliances designed to be converted to use hydrogen.

9 APRIL 2020, WP8 DEADLINE EXTENDED

We’ve extended the deadline for organisations bidding for work package 8, demonstration facilities. Submissions need to be in by 2pm on Friday 1 May. http://bit.ly/2WsWIdw

19 MARCH 2020, ITT PUBLISHED FOR DEMONSTRATION FACILITIES (WORK PACKAGE 8)

BEIS is looking to appoint contractor(s) to provide hydrogen appliance demonstration facilities (moveable). The invitation to tender has been published and organisations interested in bidding are encouraged to register their interest. http://bit.ly/2WsWIdw

9 March 2020, Stakeholder Engagement event Summary, plus issues raised in discussions and panel Q&As

The event on 9 March 2020 was held at Church House, Westminster, almost exactly two years after the first Hy4Heat stakeholder engagement event in March 2018. The session was well-attended with over 200 people, more than double the number of the 2018 event. Read more

9 March 2020, Stakeholder Engagement EVENT PRESENTATION

Around 200 people attended the Hy4Heat stakeholder engagement event at Church House, Westminster. Presenters included BEIS, Hy4Heat programme team, as well as organisations leading the work package activities. Subjects covered included: commercial and industrial sector research, standards and certification, safety assessment, and appliance development progress.

4 March 2020, Hy4Heat presents at futurebuild conference

Hy4Heat Programme Manager, Heidi Genoni, presented as part of the ‘strategies for delivering affordable decarbonised heat’ session. Futurebuild at London’s Excel has 27,000 visitors over three days

27 February 2020, WP2 HYDROGEN PURITY published online

The report makes a recommendation for a minimum hydrogen purity standard to be used by manufacturers developing prototype hydrogen appliances and during their subsequent demonstration, as part of the Hy4Heat programme. It makes a recommendation for a hydrogen purity level with the aim that it is reasonable and practicable and considers implications related to hydrogen production, the gas network and cost.

STakeholder ENGAGEMENT Event planned for 9 March 2020, WEstminster London

Join us at our stakeholder engagement event on Monday 9 March 2020, in Westminster. Sign up to attend and find out more about the Hy4Heat programme and heat decarbonisation.

• Church House, Westminster, London SW1P 3NZ, 10.30am (10am registration) to 1.30pm followed by a networking lunch

• The session will include: presentations from senior members of BEIS's innovation and heat decarbonisation teams; and updates from organisations leading Hy4Heat's work packages

28 JANUARY 2020, WP4B ITT FOR ANCILLARY COMPONENTS PUBLISHED

BEIS has published an ITT to appoint contractors to develop ancillary components (including control valves, excess flow valves & alarms) necessary for the safe installation of hydrogen appliances.

22 JANUARY 2020, WP6 REPORT Regarding the CONVERSION OF INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT TO HYDROGEN

The report from Element Energy, supported by Advisian and Cardiff University. The study focuses on converting current industrial natural gas heating technologies to use 100% hydrogen, considering the evidence which must be available before a decision on the UK’s decarbonisation pathway for heating could be made. The aim of the study is to assess the technical requirements and challenges associated with industrial hydrogen conversion and estimate the associated costs and timeframes.