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