Why the hydrogen sector needs more researchers and innovators

Clean hydrogen is a uniquely position low-carbon energy solution due to its ability to be transported and stored as a physical fuel, unlike renewable electricity. According to the International Renewable Energy Agencyopens in a new window, hydrogen has the capability to plug the gap where electrification, energy efficiency and other forms of renewable energy fall short. It has the potential to decarbonise energy intensive industries in Scotland, and across the UK.

In our previous blog, we highlighted how Scotland can become a world leader in low carbon hydrogen production, and how innovation is key to overcoming potential barriers. Hydrogen is a solution to many of the UK’s decarbonisation challenges, but it faces a number of barriers that are preventing increased investment in Research and Innovation (R&I).

Suitable infrastructure 

R&I can help to overcome a range of technical and operational issues that face hydrogen infrastructure development. Hydrogen gas has a low boiling point, and other unique properties including its low volumetric energy  density. It requires a lot of storage space and technology such as high-pressure tanks. The technology is also flammable and must comply with strict safety regulations. 

Hydrogen’s distinctive behaviour and properties can also raise the costs of the associated infrastructure needed for its use, and the speed of deployment. This highlights the importance of exploring  innovative solutions in storage and transportation infrastructure, and distribution technologies such as refuelling stations for hydrogen powered road transport. 

Despite the barriers, hydrogen is a flexible and versatile gas. Investment in R&I can open up greater opportunities for exploring hydrogen use within existing infrastructure, reducing costs and the timeframe for deployment. Previous investment within the sector has revealed options for embedding hydrogen within other fuels and chemicals. 

The complexities of hydrogen storage

Hydrogen has historically been a difficult technologyopens in a new window to store and transport affordably. However, storing hydrogen is a highly important innovation breakthrough. It can be used to help balance the supplyopens in a new window of renewable energy generation that relies on natural elements such as wind and solar energy.

Excess renewable energy can be converted to hydrogen through electrolysis and used when demand is higher either as a gas, or to rebalance the power grid. This will also improve energy security and drive lower costs by creating a less volatile energy market subject to price fluctuations. 

As previously mentioned, hydrogen’s low density at atmospheric pressure means that storing the gas would require large space. This will also require the development of efficient storage technologies to store scalable and economically viable quantities of hydrogen. 

Another challenge is that the materials used to store the gas can often be complex to produce, heavy, and expensive. The associated infrastructure needed is expensive, can also reduce its competitiveness against other renewable technologies. 

Finally, a recent reportopens in a new window has shown that converting energy into hydrogen and back into electricity can lead to energy losses. R&I has a crucial role to play in investigating how to improve the efficiency and scalability of these storage and conversion processes. It will also play a role in determining the suitability of when and where to implement them. Modern technologies and methods of storing hydrogen will help to make the process quicker, cheaper and faster to develop as demand for hydrogen expands.

Cost

Low carbon hydrogen can be developed through electrolysis, as well as various other production processes. However, largely due to the current cost of electricity, production costs can be high. Developing more efficient and cost-effective electrolysersopens in a new window will help to reduce these production costs. This must happen alongside a focus on developing high-efficiency hydrogen storage materials and low-cost manufacturing processes. 

An abundance of existing renewable energy resource for hydrogen production will also drive down costs. Producing electrolytic hydrogen from curtailed wind power is an example of a potential hydrogen production route. Producing hydrogen this way will also help reduce curtailment of energy assets and increase energy grid stability. As one of Europe’s largest offshore renewable energy zones, Scotland has to potential to be among the most ideal locations for investment in hydrogen R&I.

How SHINe can help

Scotland has experience in advancing new energy technologies, and over 60 years of transferable skills and expertise as a global energy hub and innovation leader. Scotland also has an ambition to produce 25 gigawatts of renewable or low carbon hydrogen by 2045.

SHINe’s main goal is to accelerate innovation in the Scottish hydrogen landscape. While there are barriers to widescale hydrogen deployment in all aspects of the supply chain, Scotland has incredible assets that will lead the charge in overcoming these barriers. 

View our capability directory to explore Scotland’s dynamic hydrogen network and advance R&I across the industry. 

Get involved in the conversation

On Tuesday 11th February, we will be hosting a webinar to discuss how innovation can be used to overcome the current barriers to hydrogen deployment. We believe that collaboration across the value chain is key to unlocking a thriving low carbon hydrogen economy.  

Sign up to join our Using Innovation to Overcome Hydrogen Barriers webinaropens in a new window to help shape the future of hydrogen.