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The Government has responded to the report 'A Strategic Framework for Hydrogen Energy in the UK' which was published in December 2004 (see 'Related Documents'). The Government’s approach was set out by the Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks MP on 14th June 2005, and was announced alongside the Carbon Abatement Strategy (CATS). The response includes replies to a number of recommendations which were made by the consultants but which were not published at the time. These, and the recommendations, are found in the paper 'Hydrogen Energy Strategic Framework for the UK – the Government’s response'. The main elements of this are described below and the full report can be found under 'Related Documents'.
The Government is responding positively to these recommendations and is pleased to announce a funding package of around some £15 million over four years for UK demonstrations of hydrogen and fuel cell energy technologies (most likely in the form of capital grants). The precise nature of the funding mechanism is currently being determined and will be subject to state aid rules.
The Government accepts the recommendation for the establishment of a Hydrogen Coordination Unit (HCU) to enable the development and deployment of low carbon, low cost and secure hydrogen energy chains for transport in line with national policy objectives. The Government will consider the potential options before deciding on the precise form that such a Unit should take.
International collaboration will also be important, and the Hydrogen Coordination Unit will help to ensure that the UK both contributes to and benefits from such collaboration wherever this is appropriate through global partners such as the International Energy Agency and the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy. The UK is pleased to be a member of the FP6 Project HyWays.
The Government is open to contributions and comments from interested parties and these should be addressed to: greg.vaughan@dti.gsi.gov.uk
This report by E4tech, Element Energy, and Eoin Lees Energy was published in December 2004 (see 'Related Documents'). The key message from the analysis is that for the UK, the use of hydrogen as a transport fuel offers significant opportunities for cost-competitive CO2 reduction by 2030. Six different types of transport energy chain have this potential and also offer increased energy security. None is readily available today and each would require significant changes to the energy system. However, they are sufficiently promising to be worth pursuing as energy options for the UK.
The report contains the analysis and measures needed to address all of the barriers to these options. It is to this that the government responded to on the 14th June 2005.
The DTI commissioned a report (see 'Related Documents') in early 2004 to identify current UK expertise in Hydrogen and identify what support is currently available.
E4Tech and Eoin Lees Energy undertook the report with one of the main aims to help Government examine how best to support hydrogen activities in the UK in line with the needs of the key stakeholders.
A number of key players in the Hydrogen field, from industry, academia and Government were identified and had an input into the report, thus ensuring all perspectives were taken into account.
Hydrogen is an ‘energy carrier’ rather than a fuel source as, like electricity, it can only be produced using energy.
Hydrogen can be used in:
Nine European cities, including London, are taking part in a demonstration programme to trial fuel-cell buses. Fuel-cell buses are currently operating on route 25 in inner London between Oxford Circus and Ilford and RV1 (Covent Garden/South Bank). The near-zero emissions and reduced noise levels offer a significant potential to improve environmental quality in busy urban areas. The project brings together over 40 organisations, including manufacturers, operating companies, hydrogen suppliers, fuelling and storage facilities and universities. It is part of the ongoing development of clean urban transport systems that combine energy efficiency with cost-effectiveness. For more information, visit the Fuel Cell Bus Club website (see 'External Links').
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