Hydrogen Blend Fuel Advantages and Disadvantages (Boiler Guide)

In this blog we’re going to be exploring some of the pros and cons when it comes to hydrogen.

What Is Hydrogen Fuel?

With the UK government looking at potential alternatives to traditional mains gas in order to reach their goal of ‘net-zero’ carbon emissions by 2050, hydrogen has emerged as the replacement frontrunner, with potential plans for a National Grid switchover.

However the viability of this approach is not fully confirmed, with constant research such as HyDeploy and National Grid Hydrogen Project being undertaken by a number of appropriate institutes. 

Pros and Cons of Hydrogen

Hydrogen, like many other potential fuel types, has positives and negatives in terms of numerous aspects of its use.

Advantages 

Highly Efficient

Although many modern mains gas or LPG boilers are now extremely efficient in their own right, hydrogen represents a much more efficient fuel than its fossil fuel counterparts.

Hydrogen is extremely dense and packed with energy. One kg of hydrogen can output nearly three times the energy as the same amount of fossil fuels.

Infrastructure

Hydrogen-ready boilers however, can operate on basically the same infrastructure as gas boilers, meaning they could hypothetically function on the same grid if a switch ever occurs, thus ensuring a wide reach of supply for millions of customers.

Similar Technology

As mentioned, Hydrogen-ready boilers operate effectively in the same manner as gas boilers.

A conversion from regular gas central heating to hydrogen heating would only take an hour or two as only a minimum amount of part changes on the boiler is necessary.

If the time ever comes for a full UK shift to hydrogen fuel, the conversion from hydrogen-ready boilers to 100% pure hydrogen boilers would be seamless. 

This comes as the vast majority of hydrogen-ready boilers would need no alterations to become 100% hydrogen dependent if any changes to the existing gas infrastructure do occur.

Hydrogen-ready boilers have been successfully tried and tested by the Health and Safety Executive group with results indicating the flammable gas could be a potentially efficient fuel.

Any installation or conversion should only be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Disadvantages

Flammable

Hydrogen is much more flammable than other types of gases and in some cases components may need to be switched in boilers to make it safe to use.

Expensive

Hydrogen is expensive to produce, that’s why there is ongoing research into the most cost effective means of doing this.

Hydrogen Production Produces Carbon

The actual creation means of producing hydrogen is carbon intensive, and cleaner methods of doing this such as electrolysis is very expensive.

Should I Buy A Hydrogen-Ready Boiler?

Hydrogen-ready boilers have been successfully tried and tested by the Health and Safety Executive group with results indicating the flammable gas could be a potentially efficient fuel.

hydrogen-ready boilers therefore could provide an efficient and affordable way of having the best of both worlds, cost effective use of the current system whilst being prepared for any potential switch. 

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