The UK has legally binding targets to reach net zero by 2050. It is required for each local authority to produce a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) which will outline several pathways to achieve net zero. As we progress into a net-zero society, the energy system becomes more interdependent than ever before. Therefore, it is critical to consider a model where renewable electricity, hydrogen and water are considered as dependent energy vectors.

Current LAEP models consider the electricity required for hydrogen and vis-versa but not the water demand as a third variable. WWU has an existing modelling tool, Pathfinder, that balances supply and demand of the energy system on an hourly basis. This project seeks to further develop the existing Pathfinder model to include the effects of water in the system as part of the wide-scale production of green hydrogen.

Benefits

There is a lot of ongoing work to identify the most effective route to meet net zero in the UK and this project is one of many projects to evidence the major or minor role hydrogen will have in different scenarios. Repurposing the UK gas networks with hydrogen to support the challenge of the climate change act has the potential to save £millions with minimal gas customer disruption verses alternative decarbonisation solutions.

The project also has the potential to deliver indirect benefits to consumers, in so far as the updated WWU Pathfinder model will enable local authorities to develop their Local Area Energy Plans (LAEP) using the modelling tool. The realisation of these potential benefits as savings is out of the control of the gas networks; indeed, this falls with the remit of the local authorities using the Pathfinder tool as part of their LAEPs.