SUSTAINABLE FUEL
BIOLPG PRODUCES 81% CARBON SAVINGS
boilingpoint A
s countries chart paths to net-zero targets by 2050, hydrogen has received a welcome surge of new attention from advocates that believe it could play a key role in decarbonisation. John Thompson, chief executive of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) discusses the latest developments. With figures showing that hydrogen could meet up to 24% of the world’s energy needs by 2050,
there is a strong potential future for it as a means to decarbonise heat. Hydrogen is painted as one of the three key solutions (alongside electrification and improved energy efficiency) which will help the UK both decarbonise heat and create more energy system flexibility. This supports APHC’s view that the best route to decarbonisation of heating is likely to be a blended approach across a mix of technologies and fuels. There are clearly plenty of technology options available to help us meet
R
innai has completed a detailed report into the possible savings of 81% on carbon emissions if off-grid sites convert to using BioLPG as the main fuel source.
BioLPG is conceptually renewable and sustainable, as it is made from a
blend of waste, residues and sustainably sourced materials. BioLPG, can be described as an eco-propane, the chemical makeup of this gas is identical to LPG and is therefore compatible with existing in situLPG products from a combustion perspective. BioLPG is a co-product of the biodiesel production process. In the manufacturing process, feedstocks undergo a series of complex treatments. They are combined with hydrogen in a process called hydrogenolysis,
which separates and purifies their energy content. During the refining procedure, a variety of waste gases are produced that contain BioLPG. For every tonne of biodiesel, around 50kg of BioLPG is produced from this gas stream. This co-product is then purified to make it identical to conventional propane. The carbon factors associated with BioLPG used for this report are 0.0487kgCO2e/kWh. The Rinnai report highlights several off-grid building envelopes that
can benefit from high efficiency LPG fired water heaters and compares the carbon footprint from an energy transition perspective. The transition focuses on the carbon savings that can be achieved by shifting from widely used oil heating systems to LPG and then upgrading LPG to Bio-LPG. Report author Chris Goggin (pictured above) said: ‘’This report sets
out to establish the environmental impact of a transition in energy types within typical off-grid high volume DHW applications. The energy transition focussed on dominant off-grid energy sources namely oil, LPG and BioLPG. ‘’The report set out to establish the possible reductions in carbon emissions if this energy transition was used to support widespread decarbonisation in an off-grid setting. The results demonstrate that there is potential for widespread decarbonisation whilst also providing an economical and technically feasible solution for consumers. ‘’As stated earlier in the report where LPG is already used the incumbent water heating technology can still be used in the future when BioLPG switching is available. He concluded by saying: ‘’Further study should be considered to establish the capital expenditure and operational expenditure impact when BioLPG fired appliances are compared to alternative energies and technology.’’
our decarbonisation targets, but there are challenges to overcome to make them a commercial reality. Two of the biggest issues are affordability, and winning end-user support. Firstly, the upfront cost of the conversion and the running cost of the fuel
to the end-user are both uncertain, but critical in the decision of whether to pursue a switch to hydrogen. While there are estimates of the upfront cost of conversion, the running cost of hydrogen for end-users is far from definite. While it will depend on many variables (source, socialisation, policy framework etc.) it is highly likely it will be more expensive than current natural gas. This carries its own challenges on customer acceptance and means we should look to use it as efficiently as possible. There is also a lack of end-user awareness of hydrogen, and current
hybrid uptake is still low. Yet UK’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC) suggests that a third of UK homes should switch to hydrogen (largely used in hybrids). Heat pump and hybrid deployment levels in the UK, are far, far below this today, due to a number of factors: low customer and installer awareness, lack of trust in the technology, high upfront cost compared to a boiler, and uncertainty about running cost savings. There are many customer barriers which will need to be effectively addressed if this level of hydrogen (and hybrid) deployment is to be achieved.
This global discussion around hydrogen as a key component in our future
is gaining momentum, and we are excited to be part of it. Hydrogen is needed to meet net zero, and once steps towards the above issues have been appropriately addressed, we can expect to see big change on the horizon. At APHC, we stay abreast of the latest developments in changing technologies in energy, including hydrogen production and its application. For more information, please visit:
www.aphc.co.uk.
DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW
June 2021 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
