UK Power Networks (UKPN) has been successful in securing funding for all four of its Discovery Phase projects through Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund – one of which features hydrogen.
The Smart Hydrogen and resilient Energy Delivery, or SHARED Project will focus on hydrogen as a back-up to improve resilience for rural communities. Specifically, SHARED will explore using low-cost hydrogen production and storage to improve energy resilience in rural communities.
The idea is that by producing hydrogen in periods where there is low electricity demand, the project will be able to support both residential energy needs, as well as critical infrastructure, including water pumping stations.
Luca Grella, UKPN’s Head of Innovation, said: “These projects will build on our existing efforts to enable the transition to a low-carbon, more flexible energy system. We’re excited to move forward with these initiatives, knowing they will not only support our nationwide commitment to Net Zero but also deliver practical, scalable solutions that benefit both our customers and the wider energy network.”
