UK-based energy solutions firm Centrica Business Solutions is teaming up with hydrogen tech developer HiiROC to trial injecting hydrogen into its existing gas peaking plant at Brigg, Lincolnshire, UK.
Touted as a first for the UK, the 12-month trial will seek to better understand the role of hydrogen in power production.
The 49MW gas fired plant at Brigg is designed to meet peak demand when renewable energy generation is low and usually operates for less than three hours a day.
Alexander Stafford MP, chair of the Hydrogen All Party Parliamentary Group, said: “This is the first time hydrogen will be used within a grid connected gas fired power plant in the UK, making this trial an important step forward towards realising the role hydrogen can play in decarbonising our energy system.”
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The trial will begin in Q3 2023 when 3% hydrogen will be added to the gas mix. This will be gradually increased to 20% after the project, with the ultimate goal being 100% hydrogen in several gas-fired plants.
Centrica will use HiiROC’s proprietary technology for the project which converts biomethane, flare gas or natural gas into clean hydrogen and carbon black, through a Thermal Plasma Electrolysis process.
This results in a low carbon, or potentially negative carbon hydrogen.
The carbon byproduct can be easily captured and used in applications ranging from tyres, rubbers and building materials, according to Centrica.
Greg McKenna, managing director of Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Gas still plays a huge role in maintaining a secure, stable supply of power in the UK, with around 40% of our power coming from natural gas. So, it’s vital that we find ways to reduce the carbon intensity of gas plants like that at Brigg.”
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The trial will be partly funded by a grant from the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), which has given 20 projects a total of £8 million ($9.3 million) through its Open Innovation Programme.
Tim Davies, HiiROC’s CEO, commented: “This exciting project with Centrica and the NZTC at the Brigg facility will be a first step on the journey to enable the decarbonisation of gas peaking plants. With the continued and crucial rollout of renewable energy generation, intermittency of power supply is a key issue, and the programme we are developing with Centrica will explore routes to address intermittency without generating CO2 emissions.”
