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BSEE


Hydrogen – along with electrification, heat networks and energy efficiency – is one of the approaches that can help us to achieve our national zero carbon goal, says Jeff House, Baxi Heating’s head of external affairs. But how is the transition to hydrogen likely to evolve and what are the implications for boiler specification?


Agreement, setting a pathway for the future that would allow the world to stay within scientific advice on carbon levels. For the UK, a key priority area for the summit is the transition towards more sustainable energy production and consumption that will enable us to achieve our 2050 Net Zero ambition. Heating accounts for over a third of the UK’s total emissions, making near-total decarbonisation of heat for buildings central to achieving a Net Zero economy. As this requires a radical change in how we heat our buildings, the building services industry has a crucial role to play in meeting our climate goals. Manufacturers, too, must step up to the plate. A combination of different heating technology solutions and approaches will be required to enable consultants and specifiers to best meet the needs of the individual property type, and the capacity of the energy network. We envisage that these will include heat pumps in well insulated properties and low carbon heat networks where suitable density of demand is available. We also see hydrogen as offering a feasible, low carbon and low disruption solution to decarbonisation in hard-to-tackle buildings, where the financially and technically viable options are currently restricted.


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It’s an opinion that is shared by the UK Government which recently reaffirmed its commitment for clean hydrogen deployment at scale in the national hydrogen strategy.


Above right: R&D testing 100% hydrogen boiler


his November, the UK is hosting vital United Nation climate talks at COP26 in Glasgow. The Glasgow Pact will aim to build on the Paris


BOILERS & HOT WATER Hydrogen and the energy transition


Boiler evolution and labelling


As a leader in hydrogen boiler development, how do we anticipate that the transition will unfold? Introducing a blend of up to 20% hydrogen into the gas network is expected to be the first step. The 20% hydrogen blends have been successfully demonstrated using natural gas boilers at the HyDeploy project at Keele University, proving that a 20:80 blend is a safer and greener alternative to the gas we use now. Phase 2 of the HyDeploy project is now live in Gateshead, supplying a blend of up to 20% hydrogen to over 600 existing homes. To date, the focus on transforming


how we heat our buildings has largely centred on the UK’s circa 28 million homes. Our intention is to apply our work in this field and the findings from trials to the non- domestic sector and to our commercial boiler range. As a starting point, we have achieved certification for our Remeha Ace commercial condensing boiler range to operate on a 20% hydrogen blend. This independent certification provides specifiers with added assurance of a future-proof installation solution that will work safely and reliably on both natural gas and the 20:80 blend. The arrival of hydrogen-ready boilers will be the next stage. ‘hydrogen ready’ is defined as a boiler that can operate on natural gas at the point of installation and can then be converted to run on 100% hydrogen – with a conversion kit – during its service life. We see this as the bridging solution to the energy transition.


The final evolution will be boilers that are designed to operate on 100% hydrogen at the point of installation. We are currently demonstrating prototypes of pure hydrogen boilers through the Government’s Hy4Heat programme, with larger-scale trial projects in development.


Boiler specification As we evolve the boiler, this will


naturally be reflected in future specification. But at present, it’s critical to bear in mind the following three factors.


Right: Boilers like the Remeha Quinta Ace are 20% hydrogen certified and can be eligible for maximum BREEAM credits


12 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2021


First, demand for pure hydrogen boilers will be dictated by the gas distribution networks as their deployment will coincide with local area network conversions and larger-scale pilot projects. It’s unlikely that large-scale 100% hydrogen deployment will roll out much before 2030 – with the actual date varying from region to region. Second, as of today, the standards and certification framework to enable a product to be classified as ‘hydrogen-ready’ are not yet in place.


Consequently, any claims that


products are ‘hydrogen-ready’ now are inaccurate and potentially misleading.


Third, energy efficiency has a key role in heat decarbonisation. While we prepare for the future evolution of the boiler, we must also recognise the need for immediate action to refurbish ageing heating systems while providing affordable heating and hot water in the here and now. High efficiency, condensing boilers like our Remeha range are the perfect heat source both for low temperature heating technologies and for retrofit applications. Their certified ability to operate on a 20% hydrogen blend ensures a future- proof solution that will help businesses to set ‘hard-to-heat’ buildings on the road to the future of heating. It’s also worth noting that our low NOx Quinta Ace range and Gas 320/620 Ace series are capable of achieving maximum BREEAM credits for enhanced sustainability.


Meeting individual


requirements Climate change is the most important challenge of our generation and the building services industry finds itself at the heart of it. At Baxi Heating, we believe that manufacturers should take a ‘technology agnostic’ approach, providing specifiers and contractors with the most appropriate heating solutions and approaches that will meet individual requirements. So, along with our pioneering hydrogen boiler, we are developing a portfolio of greener commercial heating solutions, including heat pumps, smart electric water heating and heat network equipment, that will offer businesses a combined solution to the future of heat.


With our heritage in heating, our experience and our expertise, we look forward to supporting specifiers, consultants and end users through the energy transition.


Baxi partners with Climate Action for the Hydrogen Transition Summit 2021 on 11 November at COP26.


www.remeha.co.uk Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


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