The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and DNV are joining forces to explore the potential of nuclear for the conversion of UK gas networks to hydrogen.
Announced on 26 November, the Nuclear Derived Hydrogen to Gas Networks collaboration will provide deeper evidence to support upcoming policy decisions the government is set to make on the role of hydrogen in buildings and for heating by 2026. As part of the Advanced Nuclear Skills and Innovation Campus pilot, it is being funded by BEIS to promote academic and industrial innovation in Advanced Nuclear Technologies.
Nuclear’s ability to drive hydrogen production at gigawatt scale could prove of great value, when considering the volumes required to convert national and regional natural gas networks. It will mark a key step in bringing nuclear derived hydrogen into the public domain through demonstrating how a UK hydrogen network could have a wider range of options for the supply of hydrogen.
Through the collaboration, both the nuclear and gas sectors will be able to gain a deeper understanding of priorities and assess barriers and next steps on aspects such as regulation, safety, siting and economics. The companies will engage a wider range of organisations from the nuclear and gas sectors through their respective networks.
