End-use applications
Professor Deborah Greaves, Director of the Centre for Decarbonisation and ORE at the University of Plymouth and Dr Yeaw Chu Lee, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Plymouth are the GW-SHIFT theme leads for ‘End-use applications. In their post they explore how hydrogen can impact traditional hard to decarbonise sectors such as aviation and shipping.
The UK has ambitious plans for hydrogen as part of its strategy to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and has set ambitious targets for low carbon hydrogen production, including green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis from renewable energy sources. Although much of our CO2 emissions can be abated by electrification, some sectors are hard to decarbonise, including cement, chemicals, glass, plastics, new steel, aviation, and maritime. Within the GW-SHIFT region, there is great opportunity for hydrogen to impact across these difficult to decarbonise sectors.
Unlocking the full potential demand for hydrogen will require strong demonstration efforts over the next decade in hydrogen end-use applications in heavy industry, long-distance road transport, aviation and shipping. Major aerospace companies based in the region are exploring the potential of hydrogen as an aviation fuel for green long-haul flights in the design of next generation aircrafts. Research in the maritime sector is pioneering development of hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels, such as ammonia and methanol, to replace fossil fuels. Hydrogen fuel cell technology has a role in powering zero emission vehicles for uses where batteries are less well suited, such as buses, rail, long-haul road freight.
The GW-SHIFT region has opportunities for green hydrogen heating in large industrial facilities for production of steel, cement, glass, gas, and utilities as well as decarbonising heating in homes, alongside heat recovery systems such as heat pumps. The first leasing round for offshore wind development sites in the Celtic Sea was launched this year, creating potential synergy with green hydrogen production. High penetration levels of variable renewable energy sources will require increased energy storage capacity, and hydrogen presents the potential to provide energy storage and to replace fossil fuels. Green hydrogen can be stored over extended periods, and can either be reconverted into electricity using fuel cells, gas turbines, or used directly as fuel.
GW-SHIFT will enable translation of Hydrogen production and storage research into innovative solutions across air, land and sea, leveraging research excellence and regional facilities.
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Find out more about Professor Deborah Greaves’ research interests
