Customers used hydrogen blended gas safely in their homes and without the need to make any changes to their existing appliances.
One hundred homes and 30 university building on a private gas network at Keele University received the blended gas for a period of 18 months which ended in spring 2021.
Hydrogen produces no carbon dioxide when used, making it a viable alternative for heating homes and businesses to achieve the government’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, unlike natural gas, which is responsible for over 30% of carbon emissions.
Steve Fraser, chief executive of Cadent said: “HyDeploy is a ground-breaking collaboration and has demonstrated very clearly that consumers can safely receive up to 20% hydrogen blended with natural gas without the need to make any changes to their existing appliances.”
“Importantly customers experienced no disruption and felt positively towards using hydrogen blends and the trial. Blending hydrogen into the natural gas network is a critical stepping-stone in helping the UK reach net zero by 2050.”
Gas safety checks were carried out in the homes and buildings in the trial area. Laboratory tests were carried out on a range of gas appliances, as well as extensive research on the effect of hydrogen on the different materials found in the gas network and the appliances.
The success of the trial at Keele University has paved the way for a larger pilot project at Winlaton, near Gateshead where 668 houses, a school and some small businesses have been receiving hydrogen blended gas on a network operated by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) since early August 2021.
Mark Horsley, CEO at NGN said: “The results delivered by the Keele project gave the Health and Safety Executive the confidence to approve the first blending of hydrogen with natural gas on the public gas network.”