Hydrogen Exploring Opportunities in the Northern Ireland Energy

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Hydrogen Exploring Opportunities in the Northern Ireland Energy HYDROGEN EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND ENERGY TRANSITION MARCH 2021 This report is prepared by the National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), with partners HyEnergy Consultancy and Dublin City University (DCU). It has been funded by Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy to contribute to the evidence base for the development of a new Energy Strategy. NUI Galway and DCU are two of Ireland's leading energy research institutions, and are both members of MaREI, the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine Research. NUI Galway has expertise in the techno economics and sustainability of hydrogen technologies and supply chains, and is a partner in the GenComm, SEAFUEL and HUGE EU Interreg projects. DCU has expertise in hydrogen for mobility, power-to-X, fuel cell & electrolyser technology, energy storage and modelling, and is a partner in an EU funded project HySkills and Hydrogen Mobility Ireland. HyEnergy is an experienced consultancy with over 50 years of expertise within the global hydrogen and renewable energy sectors. It supports stakeholders including industry, local/regional public sector organisations and national governments in transitioning to sustainable energy solutions. NUI Galway, DCU and HyEnergy are founding organisations of Hydrogen Ireland. 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 5 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Energy Strategy ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Northern Ireland’s Energy Mix ............................................................................................................ 7 Northern Ireland’s Energy Infrastructure ........................................................................................... 8 Electricity ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Natural Gas ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Renewables in Northern Ireland ......................................................................................................... 8 Energy in the UK and ROI: A Comparison ......................................................................................... 10 Fossil Fuels .................................................................................................................................... 10 Renewables ................................................................................................................................... 10 Potential for Hydrogen Production in Northern Ireland ....................................................................... 11 Potential Hydrogen Enabled Applications in Northern Ireland ............................................................ 12 Industrial feedstock .......................................................................................................................... 12 Hydrogen for Transport .................................................................................................................... 13 Hydrogen for the Gas Grid ................................................................................................................ 14 Oxygen .............................................................................................................................................. 14 Northern Ireland Hydrogen Demand Scenarios ................................................................................... 15 Northern Ireland Hydrogen Supply/Demand Analysis ......................................................................... 16 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Demand ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Production ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Supply-chain Scenarios ................................................................................................................. 17 Results ............................................................................................................................................... 18 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 20 Northern Ireland needs a hydrogen strategy ................................................................................... 20 Hydrogen fits with national climate goals ........................................................................................ 20 Local fuel poverty solution? .............................................................................................................. 21 Northern Ireland – hydrogen exporter ............................................................................................. 21 Geological advantage ........................................................................................................................ 21 Now or never .................................................................................................................................... 22 Hydrogen Timetable in Northern Ireland ......................................................................................... 22 The need for support mechanisms ................................................................................................... 23 An all Island approach ....................................................................................................................... 23 3 Codes and Standards .................................................................................................................... 23 Gas-grid injection .......................................................................................................................... 23 Shared Mobility ............................................................................................................................. 23 Supply Chain .................................................................................................................................. 24 Hydrogen Coordination Body ....................................................................................................... 25 Appendix A: Key Technologies .............................................................................................................. 26 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 26 Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (FCs) ................................................................................... 26 Electrolysers ...................................................................................................................................... 26 Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) .................................................................................................... 29 Storage .............................................................................................................................................. 30 Underground Storage – Salt Caverns ............................................................................................ 30 Chemical Storage .......................................................................................................................... 31 Hydrogen Refuelling Stations ............................................................................................................ 32 Appendix B: Hydrogen Applications and Activity ................................................................................. 33 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 33 Hydrogen for Industrial processes and high temperature heat ....................................................... 34 Hydrogen for the Natural Gas Grid ................................................................................................... 35 Import/Export ................................................................................................................................... 36 Hydrogen for Transport .................................................................................................................... 37 Passenger Vehicles ........................................................................................................................ 37 Trucks ............................................................................................................................................ 37 Buses ............................................................................................................................................. 38 Trains ............................................................................................................................................. 38
Recommended publications
  • Deep Mapping Lough Boora Sculpture Park
    Lough Boora Sculpture Park has been developed on cutaway bogs. The Collins + work reveals how art can help to rebuild a relationship between people, Goto place and non-human others. There is one more creative impulse, an agency that is at the heart of this matter, sphagnum – peat moss. Deep Mapping Lough Boora Sculpture Park We have collections of moss in glass jars filled with water next to our studio window. Sphagnum grows noticeably taller and denser in this artificial environment. I cannot believe the strength of such a flimsy thing, Deep Mapping it can rise above the water as it moves towards the light. On any sunny day numerous small bubbles come out from the translucent leaves. Tiny Lough Boora Sculpture Park insects are swimming in and around the plants. Reclaim | Rehabilitate | Restore | Regenerate Bog lands are not wastelands. Raised bogs are as monumental and significant as redwood forests. Sphagnum is an extraordinary living thing. It is small, fragile but at the same time resilient, never harmful. Always close to water it is absorbent, spongy to walk on. Softness is the essence of the plant. Art can be a response to small things. Use your sensibility to listen to the breath of the bog. Imagine the sight and sound as the spore capsules explode. Feel the energy as the air is filled with an infinity of spores, another cycle begins. Reiko Goto Collins Reclaim Reclaim | Rehabilitate | Restore | Regenerate Tim Collins + Reiko Goto Collins Ireland THIS IS THE BACK SIDE OF THE FRONT COVER. Deep Mapping Lough Boora Sculpture Park Blank no printed text or image Commons and Lords Hansard, to take advantage of the opportunities at their command.
    [Show full text]
  • CER 2015 National Report to the EC
    CER 2015 National Report to the EC Regulator’s 2015 National Report to the European Commission Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) Ireland August 2016 1 CER 2015 National Report to the EC 1. Foreword Introduction to the report signed by the Commissioners Chairperson Garrett Blaney Commissioner Paul McGowan Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly The Commission for Energy Regulation (“the CER”) is Ireland's independent energy and water regulator. Since its establishment in 1999, the CER’s remit has expanded significantly to encompass a range of economic, customer protection and safety responsibilities in both the energy and water sectors. As an economic regulator, the CER strives to ensure a stable and predictable regulatory regime in Ireland to support efficient investment, competition and consumer protection for energy customers. As the country’s energy safety regulator our core focus is on protecting lives and having a world-class safety record. The CER’s economic role and associated energy policy developments are detailed in this annual report to the European Commission. We report here on the progress made in various areas including wholesale and retail markets regulation, networks regulation and energy safety oversight. Building on our achievements to date and looking forward to new challenges, the CER will continue to endeavour to provide a first-class regulatory service to all its customers in a cost- effective manner. Garrett Blaney Paul McGowan Aoife MacEvilly Chairperson Commissioner Commissioner 2 CER 2015 National Report to the EC 2. Main developments in the gas and electricity markets1 Electricity Networks Revenue Review Project In 2015, the CER completed its five-yearly review of electricity network revenues and charges under the Price Review 4 (PR4) project.
    [Show full text]
  • The Flextech Response to Consultation
    FlexTech Response to Consultation A Flexible Technology Integration Initiative 14/7/2020 Disclaimer EirGrid as the Transmission System Operator (TSO) for Ireland, and SONI as the TSO for Northern Ireland make no warranties or representations of any kind with respect to the information contained in this document. We accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this document or any reliance on the information it contains. The use of information contained within this consultation paper for any form of decision making is done so at the user’s sole risk. Executive Summary In 2019, EirGrid and SONI as part of the EirGrid Group, spent significant time developing our strategy for the future and considered in detail what we do, why we do it and how it could be even better. Based on this look to the future, it is clear that in order to deliver on our ambition of 70% renewables by 2030 and a pathway to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it is imperative that we work in a more collaborative and dynamic manner with industry, ESB Networks, NIE Networks, regulators in both Ireland and Northern Ireland as well as other key stakeholders. The concept of the FlexTech Integration Initiative is to facilitate that very important collaboration. Our intent is to foster greater cooperation and transparency as we collectively solve the challenges associated with renewable integration and deliver the flexibility the All-Island power system will require when operating above 90% SNSP operational limits. In September 2019, we published our first FlexTech consultation paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Socio-Economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters
    RPA. Marine Scotland Socio-economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters Volume 1: Main Text Report R.1905 September 2012 RPA. Marine Scotland Socio-economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters Volume 2: Figures Report R.1905 September 2012 Marine Scotland Socio-economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters Date: September 2012 Project Ref: R4032/3 Report No: R.1905 © ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd Version Details of Change Authorised By Date 1 Working Copy C E Brown 02.12.11 2 Final C E Brown 07.02.12 3 Final C E Brown 26.04.12 4 Final C E Brown 28.06.12 5 Final C E Brown 24.09.12 Document Authorisation Signature Date Project Manager: C E Brown Quality Manager: H Roberts Project Director: S C Hull ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd Quayside Suite, Medina Chambers Town Quay Tel: +44(0)23 8071 1840 SOUTHAMPTON Fax: +44(0)23 8071 1841 Hampshire Web: www.abpmer.co.uk SO14 2AQ Email: [email protected] ABPmer is certified by: All images copyright ABPmer apart from front cover (wave, anemone, bird) and policy & management (rockpool) Andy Pearson www.oceansedgephotography.co.uk Socio-economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters Summary ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer) and RPA were commissioned by Marine Scotland to prepare a baseline socio-economic review to inform impact assessments of future sectoral plans for offshore wind and wave and tidal energy in Scottish Territorial Waters and waters offshore of Scotland (hereafter „Scottish Waters‟). This report provides a national overview of socio-economic activities together with regional baseline reviews covering the six Scottish Offshore Renewable Energy Regions (SORERs).
    [Show full text]
  • Celtic Interconnector
    Celtic Interconnector Connecting the electricity grids of Ireland and France TEN-E Regulation Concept for Public Participation Ireland April 2020 Executive Summary The Ireland-France electricity interconnector project, called the Celtic Interconnector, consists of a proposed High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) 700 megawatt (MW) connection, between the 400kV substation in La Martyre (Finistère, France) and the 220kV substation in Knockraha (Co. Cork, Ireland). The interconnector would pass through the territorial waters of Ireland and France along with the Exclusive Economic Zones of Ireland, the United Kingdom and France. With a total length of approximately 575km this project is being jointly developed by EirGrid and Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTÉ), the respective electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) in Ireland and France, who are the “project promoters” within the meaning of Regulation for the trans-European energy infrastructure (347/2013 EU), hereafter referred to as ‘the TEN-E Regulation’. The European Commission sees increased interconnection as a key step towards achieving a more integrated electricity system and considers the Celtic Interconnector to be an important move towards achieving such integration. The Celtic Interconnector was designated in 2013 as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) number 1.6 for the North Seas Countries Offshore Grid Initiative (‘NSCOGI’) priority corridor under the TEN-E Regulation. The TEN-E Regulation seeks to modernise and expand Europe’s energy infrastructure and to interconnect networks across borders to meet the European Union’s core energy policy objectives of competitiveness, sustainability and security of supply. The project has retained its PCI designation during subsequent reviews in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scottish Marine Protected Area Project – Developing the Evidence Base for Impact Assessments and the Sustainability Appraisal Final Report
    Planning Scotland’s Seas The Scottish Marine Protected Area Project – Developing the Evidence Base for Impact Assessments and the Sustainability Appraisal Final Report Marine Scotland The Scottish Marine Protected Area Project – Developing the Evidence Base for Impact Assessments and the Sustainability Appraisal Final Report Date: July 2013 Project Ref: R/4136/1 Report No: R.2097 © ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd Version Details of Change Date 1.0 Draft 29.04.2013 2.0 Draft 15.05.2013 3.0 Final 07.06.2013 4.0 Final 28.06.2013 5.0 Final 01.07.2013 6.0 Final 05.07.2013 Document Authorisation Signature Date Project Manager: S F Walmsley PP 05.07.2013 Quality Manager: C E Brown 05.07.2013 Project Director: S C Hull 05.07.2013 ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd ABPmer is certified by: Quayside Suite, Medina Chambers, Town Quay, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 2AQ Tel: +44 (0) 23 8071 1840 Fax: +44 (0) 23 8071 1841 Web: www.abpmer.co.uk Email: [email protected] All images copyright ABPmer apart from front cover (wave, anemone, bird) and policy & management (rockpool) Andy Pearson www.oceansedgepzhotography.co.uk The Scottish Marine Protected Area Project – Developing the Evidence Base for Impact Assessments and the Sustainability Appraisal Summary Introduction The Marine (Scotland) Act and the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act contain provisions for the designation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scottish territorial and offshore waters in order to protect marine biodiversity and geodiversity and contribute to a UK and international network of MPAs.
    [Show full text]
  • Contents DCCAE Updated Retrofitting Note 25/05/20 [GP]
    DCCAE Briefing for PfG Talks submitted to D/oT Contents DCCAE Updated Retrofitting note 25/05/20 [GP] ................................................................................. 2 DCCAE Briefing 22/05/20 [GP] ............................................................................................................. 2 DCCAE Residential Retrofit 18/05/20 [gp] ............................................................................................ 7 Moneypoint Power Plant Note 18/05/20 [gp] ....................................................................................... 10 Responses to Questions from Sinn Fein 06/05/20 [SF] ........................................................................ 10 DCCAE Response to Green Party Filling Station Query 10/03/20 [GP] .............................................. 14 DCCAE Responses to questions Green Party 09/03/20 [GP] [FF] ....................................................... 15 DCCAE and DCHG note on rewetting bogs 09/03/20 [GP SF] ........................................................... 18 DCCAE Response on Climate 09/03/20 [FF] 28/02/20 [SF] ................................................................ 20 DCCAE Peat Regulations Note 04/03/20 [FG] .................................................................................... 24 DCCAE Responses to Green Party Questions 27/02/20 [GP] .............................................................. 27 DCCAE Clarification on query 21/02/20 [SF] ....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Irish Renewable Energy Summit 2018 Copy
    Irish Renewable Energy Summit 2020 Transition to a renewables-led energy system Croke Park, Dublin ● Thursday 20th February 2020 In partnership with Sponsored by Organised by Irish Renewable Energy Summit 2020 The major annual conference for the Irish renewables sector To date renewable energy has been focused on the electricity sector with 40 per cent of electricity generated from renewable sources. The Climate Action Plan has an ambitious target of 70 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Although there has been less progress made on renewable sources in the heat and transport sectors, both these sectors are central to the Climate Action Plan: there is an ambitious target to electrify mobility with 950,000 electric vehicles by 2030; and an equally ambitious target to deliver 600,000 renewable energy heating sources in homes and 25,000 in commercial premises. The out-workings of the Plan will see a surge in renewable energy development over the next decade. The 2020 Irish Renewable Energy Summit will look at the practical implications of the Climate Action Plan to 2030 and how renewables will develop across electricity, heat and transport. Climate Action Plan With the publication of the Government’s Climate Action Plan, there is now a clear pathway to a low carbon economy in Ireland. Renewable energy is pivotal to the Plan. Ireland will see an acceleration in renewable energy development over the coming decade. Key aspects of the Climate Action Plan include: 4 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030; ‘The Plan envisages radical change. 4 An additional 12GW of electricity from renewable sources including onshore and In 2030, we will have 5 times the amount offshore wind, solar and bioenergy by 2030; of renewables on our grid that we have today (requiring capacity to peak at 4 3.5GW of offshore wind based on competitive auctions; 95% electricity generation from 4 400,000 heat pumps to be installed by 2030; renewable sources).
    [Show full text]
  • Talk 20Th Jan 2021
    21/01/2021 Mike Bamford BBC News Feb 2020 Britain has increasingly managed to wean its electricity supply off coal. In 2019 the country's power networks went for more than a fortnight without burning a single lump, thought to be the first time since the 1880s. Coal was supplying only 2% of the country's energy needs. It has largely been replaced by gas, which provided2 50% and wind, 17%. 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 How is electricity made and controlled? 7 8 7 8 1 21/01/2021 9 11 9 11 Grid operator is obligated to keep the 13 14 frequency within 49.5 and 50.5Hz 13 14 Hundreds of renewable energy projects may be asked to turn off this weekend to avoid overloading the grid as the UK’s electricity demand plummets to record lows. Britain’s demand for electricity is forecast to tumble to a fifth below normal levels due to the spring bank holiday and the shutdown of shops, bars and restaurants mandated by the coronavirus lockdown. National Grid is braced for electricity demand to fall to 15.6GW on Saturday afternoon – a level usually associated with the middle of the night – and continue to drop even lower in the early hours of Sunday morning. January 2021 National Grid warned last month that the low demand for electricity could mean that renewable energy is turned off to avoid overloading the grid with more electricity than the UK can use. 16 17 16 17 2 21/01/2021 Saturday 10 August 2019 at 1:20am A one bar electric fire uses 1,000 watts.
    [Show full text]
  • Read Our Report
    gasnetworks.ie Sustainability 2019 in Action Sustainability in Action 2019 01 Table of Contents A Message from Our Managing Director 02 Who We Are 04 Our History 06 Strategic Framework 08 Factors Influencing Value Creation 11 Business Model 12 Our 2019 Highlights 14 Our 2019 Sustainability Highlights 15 Our Sustainability Strategy 18 Vision 2050 20 Materiality Assessment 22 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 23 Environment 25 Enhancing Biodiversity 26 Water Use 28 Reducing Waste 28 Climate Change 28 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) 28 Renewable Gas 30 Carbon Performance 31 Climate Action 32 Sustainable Procurement 33 Social 35 Business Working Responsibly Mark 36 Community 37 Accessibility 37 Education 39 Employability 40 Workplace 41 Marketplace 44 Economic 53 Investing in Our Future 54 Innovation 55 Appendix 61 Global Reporting Initiative Index 61 02 Gas Networks Ireland A Message from Our Managing Director Welcome to Gas Networks Ireland’s 2019 sustainability report, Sustainability in Action. Our sustainability strategy has three key pillars – Environment, Social and Economic; and is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This report outlines our progress in implementing the principles of sustainable development across all aspects of our operations throughout 2019. Denis O’Sullivan Sustainability in Action 2019 03 At Gas Networks Ireland we connect over 705,000 Cashel premises and progressed the development businesses and homes to one of the most modern of another seven public and private CNG stations and safe gas networks in the world. In doing this, ensuring that Ireland’s HGV and bus operators we are mindful of our sustainability responsibilities can choose a cleaner fuel alternative.
    [Show full text]
  • Ireland's Public Sector Balance Sheet April 2021
    Ireland’s Public Sector Balance Sheet April 2021 Department of Finance | Ireland’s Public Sector Balance Sheet Page | i Contents Page 1 Introduction 2 2 Ireland’s Static Public Sector Balance Sheet 2000-2019 3 2.1 Overview of Ireland’s static public sector balance sheet 3 2.2 Structure of Ireland’s public sector balance sheet 4 2.3 Non-financial assets 6 2.4 Public sector investment 7 2.5 Financial net worth 8 2.6 Evolution of public sector net worth 2000 12 2.7 Other economic flows 14 2.8 Ireland’s public sector metrics in an international context 16 2.9 Summary 17 3 Public corporations 18 3.1 Overview of Ireland’s public corporations 18 3.2 Financial performance 19 3.21 Non-financial corporations 20 3.22 Financial corporations 21 3.3 Potential fiscal risk 22 3.4 Summary 24 4 Intertemporal Public Sector Balance Sheet 25 4.1 Overview 25 4.2 Medium-term fiscal path 26 4.3 Long-term fiscal path 27 4.4 Summary 29 5 Conclusion 30 Tables, Figures, Boxes and Annexes Tables XX Table 1 Ireland’s public sector balance sheet, end-2019 4 Table A1 The coverage of Ireland’s public corporations 31 Table A2 Non-financial corporations high-level financial assessment metrics 32 Table A3 Financial corporations high-level financial assessment metrics 32 Table A4 Key variables under baseline assumptions 34 Figures Figure 1 Public sector balance sheet 3 Figure 2 Public sector total assets and liabilities by sector, end-2019 5 Figure 3 Composition of non-financial assets for the public sector, end-2019 6 Figure 4 Public sector investment 8 Figure 5 Public
    [Show full text]
  • Durham Research Online
    Durham Research Online Deposited in DRO: 15 November 2019 Version of attached le: Published Version Peer-review status of attached le: Peer-reviewed Citation for published item: Giampieri, Alessandro and Ma, Zhiwei and Chin, Janie Ling and Smallbone, Andrew and Lyons, Padraig and Khan, Imad and Hemphill, Stephen and Roskilly, Anthony Paul (2019) 'Techno-economic analysis of the thermal energy saving options for high-voltage direct current interconnectors.', Applied energy., 247 . pp. 60-77. Further information on publisher's website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.04.003 Publisher's copyright statement: c 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Additional information: Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. Durham University Library, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LY, United Kingdom Tel : +44 (0)191 334 3042 | Fax : +44 (0)191 334 2971 https://dro.dur.ac.uk Applied Energy 247 (2019) 60–77 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
    [Show full text]