Hydrogen is currently used in the UK but is mainly limited to the chemicals sector where, for example, it is a ‘feedstock’ (input) in the Haber process to make ammonia, which is used in many fertilisers. It is also used in oil refineries to convert crude oil into other products, as well as in the “food, methanol, metals and electronics industries”. A report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on The Future of Hydrogen (June 2019) sets out some of the potential, future uses of hydrogen across multiple sectors.
Hydrogen use today is dominated by industry, namely: oil refining, ammonia production, methanol production and steel production. Virtually all of this hydrogen is supplied using fossil fuels, so there is significant potential for emissions reductions from clean hydrogen.
In transport, the competitiveness of hydrogen fuel cell cars depends on fuel cell costs and refuelling stations while for trucks the priority is to reduce the delivered price of hydrogen. Shipping and aviation have limited low-carbon fuel options available and represent an opportunity for hydrogen-based fuels.
In buildings, hydrogen could be blended into existing natural gas networks, with the highest potential in multifamily and commercial buildings, particularly in dense cities while longer-term prospects could include the direct use of hydrogen in hydrogen boilers or fuel cells.
In power generation, hydrogen is “one of the leading options” for storing renewable energy and hydrogen and ammonia can be used in gas turbines to increase power system flexibility. Ammonia could also be used in coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions.
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