Professor Roger Kemp of Lancaster University who is Emeritus Professor in the School of Engineering is working together with r researchers from other engineering organizations at the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), which is led by the Royal Academy of Engineering which makes policy recommendations for the government.
Professor Kemp who is updating the authorities on a NEPC report evaluating the role of hydrogen energy for Net Zero targets said “Part of this work has involved the practicalities around the use of hydrogen as a means of equalizing out the peaks and troughs of demand and of supply.”
However, Professor Kemp also cautioned stating that “When the electricity industry was privatized by the Conservative government in 1990, almost all our electricity was produced by burning coal and gas. The ‘rules’ of the electricity market resulted in the price of electricity being closely tied to world prices of fossil fuels. By contrast, the figures for 2021 show that nearly 50% of electricity provided by the grid is from renewable sources. However, consumer prices are still tied to the price of gas.
The researchers also indicated that an economical energy model, low on carbon emissions needs an electricity market that is restructured according to the supply price and not world gas prices. They also indicated that we need twice as much renewable energy production and suitable storage method when there is excessive energy generated.
A key issue for hydrogen energy production is cost involved in separating Hydrogen from oxygen to which researchers around the world are seeking solutions.
