CARBON AND ENERGY REDUCTION
material as part of the manufacture of other products, such as building materials. Clearly a chain of custody is needed to ensure that the end-product is not then ultimately combusted at the end of its life, and the previously captured carbon released to atmosphere.
H2 at point of use Currently, small-scale on-site methane ‘pyrolysis’ systems are being developed for market that use either microwave or electric plasma technology to act as a reaction initiator, enabling the process of stripping carbon from methane to occur at comparatively lower temperatures and pressures than might otherwise be needed for traditional pyrolysis. The key to the success of small-scale methane to hydrogen generation systems will be achieving a realistic capital cost, and the ability to operate efficiently and economically at the same time as not taking up unrealistically large areas of a hospital site. Current small-scale hydrogen production systems are in their initial proving and pilot stages, and it is expected that these technologies will develop rapidly in the coming years.
In all cases electricity input is needed for the energy source driving the microwave or plasma reaction process. This will usually be derived from the national grid, so net carbon sequestered from the natural gas input must also take into account electricity grid emissions incurred. Initial pilot plants currently being
developed for onsite locations take up shipping container-sized modules, and the number of modules required depends upon the throughput of natural gas and hydrogen generation delivered. In addition to the plant space, a suitable area is required for the storage of the carbon black grains, which would need to be regularly collected from site, and so a vehicular access route is also needed.
Business case To date, comparisons with conventional heat production look promising, both in terms of carbon sequestering and potential running costs. Initial investigations show the potential for on-site hydrogen production to deliver CO2
emissions to air
rates that are much lower (around 40%) than current best alternatives using electric heat pumps for equivalent heat delivery. Work has also started on determining the financial model, which compares small- scale hydrogen production with operating natural gas boilers or electric heat pumps. It is likely that the overall cost of running such systems will need a revenue stream for the carbon black produced in order to achieve parity with the cost of operating natural gas boilers. The potential for achieving this appears promising from work undertaken in conjunction with potential suppliers so far.
34 Health Estate Journal May 2023
Other uses by the NHS Consideration for generating hydrogen for NHS vehicle fuel application is also being considered, such as ambulance fleets, that may cover many thousands of miles per year, and need to be available 24/7, placing a degree of challenge when considering their wholesale electrification, which needs managing within limitations of charging downtime and range. Early studies to date indicate the potential for significant carbon and fuel cost savings compared with existing diesel and current electric vehicle alternatives. Other areas for investigation include pyrolysis of medical waste, and strategic utilisation in co-generation of heat and power.
Conclusions The financial and technical business case is still being developed for small- scale point of use hydrogen production. As such, it remains to be seen as to whether the technology has a definite
viability and a place within the hospital setting, whether for decarbonising heat, vehicle fleets, or other strategic uses. However, the potential for delivering this technology looks promising, and it may well turn out to be the right answer for some sites and Trusts that find themselves with limited alternative options because of their location, or the limitations of local electricity networks.
References 1 Abesser C, Walker A. 2022. Geothermal Energy. Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology Research Briefing, POSTBrief 46, 2022. Available from
https://post.parliament.uk/research- briefings/post-pb-0046/
2 Busby JP. 2014. Geothermal energy in sedimentary basins in the UK. Hydrogeology Journal 2014; 22: 129–141.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013- 1054-4
Clive Nattrass
Clive Nattrass is the Programme manager of NHPower, appointed by a taskforce of governmental, IHEEM, and NHS representatives to design and implement a programme to get the NHS to Net Zero in fossil fuels. He has a pedigree in this field, having founded the Carbon and Energy Fund, which is the main route to energy infrastructure improvement in the NHS.
Dr Corinna Abesser
Dr Corinna Abesser is the head of Geothermal Energy Research at BGS. She contributes to national and international research, and acts as an expert advisor to the UK Government and Parliament. She has developed several briefing papers on the topic of geothermal energy for policy-makers and parliamentary audiences.
Rik Evans
Rik Evans is the Commercial director for GT Energy. Working initially in the oil and gas service sector, and more recently as head of Integrated Planning and Risk Management for a multi- national operator, he has brought the skills and experiences honed from delivering and working on energy projects around the world to bear on the UK geothermal sector. GT Energy has a number of active geothermal developments across the
country, including one in Stoke-on-Trent, which will be the UK’s first geothermally powered District Heating Network, and a pipeline of dozens more in gestation.
Stephen Lowndes
Stephen Lowndes BEng (Hons), MSc, CEng, MCIBSE, MEI, has many years’ experience of energy project design, as well as supporting operational management – including carbon and energy management – within the public sector, that started with NHS projects in the 1980s. He leads the Carbon and Energy Fund Technical Delivery team, working on all aspects of project feasibility through to construction and operational delivery.
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