Summaries, highlights, images, audio and slide downloads from Foresight NetZero Live 2024 in Hull, June 12th and 13th.
The conference and exhibition aims to accelerate the reduction and removal of carbon emissions across industrial manufacturing, refineries and power stations by highlighting technology, roadmaps and leading projects.
Opening remarks by the conference moderator, Jonathan Oxley of the CBI:
"Welcome to Hull. Welcome to the Humber. Welcome to the UK energy estuary. Welcome to the UK's largest industrial cluster by emissions, which represents around five to 7% of the UK total co2 emissions depending on how the economy is doing. And welcome to the home of the world's largest offshore wind farm. And soon Europe's largest battery. If you're in any doubt that the Humber is at the centre of what's going on energy wise in the UK, then, now is the time to put those doubts aside. Atmospheric co2 emissions are rising at the fastest rate in the last 50,000 years. If ever there was a time to be gathering, to continue the dialogue as to why Net Zero is important".
UKRI's Initiatives and CCS Development: William Joyce, Technical Lead for Industrial Decarbonisation at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), detailed the substantial progress and investments in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies. Since 2019, the UK has seen significant policy acceleration and financial commitments to CCS, including a £210 million program managed by UKRI to support major CCS and CCS-enabled hydrogen projects. This initiative aligns with the UK's goal of achieving a low carbon industrial cluster by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2040.
Policy Milestones and Funding Commitments: Joyce highlighted pivotal policy advancements, notably the UK’s 2019 amendment to the Climate Change Act, which legally commits the country to net zero emissions by 2050. This groundbreaking legislation was the first of its kind among the G7 nations. Following this, significant funding was allocated, including £800 million for developing CCS networks by 2030, with a subsequent £20 billion commitment over 20 years to capture and store between 20 to 30 million tonnes of CO2 annually. These investments underscore the UK’s dedication to integrating CCS into its broader decarbonisation strategy.
CCS’s Role in Industrial Decarbonisation: CCS is deemed essential for decarbonising industries where CO2 emissions are integral to the manufacturing process, such as chemicals, steel, and cement production. The UK’s vast carbon storage potential, estimated at 78 gigatonnes, provides a competitive advantage, positioning it to become a global leader in CCS technology and CO2 storage solutions. This capacity not only supports domestic needs but also offers opportunities for the UK to act as a hub for international CO2 sequestration.
Humber Cluster’s Opportunities and Projects: The Humber cluster, responsible for 40% of the UK's industrial emissions, is pivotal to the nation’s net zero ambitions. Projects like Viking CCS and the East Coast Cluster are set to play a crucial role, with plans to store millions of tonnes of CO2. Viking CCS, for instance, could initially store 350 million tonnes of CO2, with potential expansion, while the East Coast Cluster could accommodate up to 70 million tonnes per annum. These initiatives aim to establish scalable business models for CCS and hydrogen production, driving regional and national decarbonisation efforts.
Economic Impact of Industrial Clusters: Industrial clusters, which contribute approximately £320 billion annually to the UK economy, are essential to the country's decarbonisation strategy. The Humber's decarbonisation efforts are designed to maintain and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of these clusters, while also offering significant regional development and job creation opportunities. Decarbonising these clusters not only aligns with environmental goals but also supports economic growth and regional equity.
Collaboration and Future Prospects: The session underscored the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including clusters, companies, and the public and private sectors, to achieve the UK's net zero objectives. Jonathan Oxley stressed the need for clear communication about the benefits of decarbonisation to ensure widespread support and understanding. The Humber’s initiatives, including Zero Carbon Humber and the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan, exemplify how coordinated efforts can drive substantial progress in industrial decarbonisation.
Conclusion: In closing, Jonathan Oxley reiterated that the UK’s net zero targets hinge on successfully decarbonising the Humber and other key industrial clusters. The session set the stage for further discussions on specific projects and strategies, highlighting the UK's commitment to leading the global transition to net zero emissions through innovative and collaborative efforts in industrial decarbonisation.
Introduction and Focus: The conference session featured Duncan Hammond from Phillips 66, who presented on the company’s efforts to decarbonise their Humber refinery and the broader impact on the Humber region. Hammond’s discussion revolved around Phillips 66's commitment to advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, exploring sustainable aviation fuels, and supporting the UK's energy transition.
Phillips 66 and the Humber Refinery: Hammond introduced Phillips 66 as a global energy company with a significant presence in the Humber region, operating one of their key refineries. The Humber refinery, which has been a fixture in the area for 55 years, is at the heart of the company's decarbonization strategy. Phillips 66 is dedicated to maintaining its operational role while adapting to the evolving demands of a low-carbon future.
Decarbonisation Strategies: Phillips 66's approach to decarbonising the Humber refinery is built on four key pillars:
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): The company is implementing CCS projects, starting with the Humber Zero project in collaboration with VPI, targeting hard-to-abate emissions from the refinery’s catalytic cracker unit.
Hydrogen Refuelling: Exploring the production and use of hydrogen as a clean energy source, both for the refinery and broader regional applications.
Renewable Fuels: Focusing on the development and integration of renewable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuels, to reduce the carbon footprint of their products.
Specialty Graphite Coke: Producing high-quality graphite for electric vehicle batteries, supporting the transition to electric mobility.
Vision for the Humber Region: Hammond emphasised the Humber region's strategic importance in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. The region’s high concentration of industrial CO2 emissions makes it a prime candidate for CCS deployment. Hammond drew parallels to the historical development of the North Sea gas industry, envisioning a similar evolution for carbon capture and storage infrastructure along the Humber coast.
Future Prospects and Challenges: Looking forward, Hammond envisions the Humber becoming a hub for blue and green hydrogen production, sustainable fuel processing, and waste-to-energy projects. However, he acknowledged several challenges, including aligning policies and regulations across different government departments, navigating waste processing regulations, and addressing the need for skilled labor to support these new technologies.
Call to Action: Hammond highlighted the urgency of getting the first CCS project off the ground in the Humber region. He expressed confidence that once the initial project is operational, it would pave the way for additional decarbonisation initiatives and attract further investment to the area. He stressed the importance of collaboration, both within the industry and with policymakers, to accelerate the region's transition to a low-carbon economy.
Conclusion: Duncan Hammond's presentation underscored Phillips 66’s commitment to being a leader in the energy transition. The Humber refinery is set to play a pivotal role in the UK's decarbonisation efforts, serving as a model for how traditional industries can evolve to meet the challenges of a sustainable future.
Introduction and Equinor’s Commitment: In this conference session, Ian Livingston from Equinor discussed the company's ambitious plans for contributing to the UK's decarbonisation through hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Humber region. Equinor, a Norwegian state-owned energy company, is well-regarded for its significant investments in low-carbon solutions and renewable energy. The Humber is a focal point for Equinor's efforts in transitioning towards a net-zero future.
Equinor’s Energy Transition and CCS Experience: Livingston began by highlighting Equinor’s extensive background in both traditional oil and gas production and its pioneering work in CCS since the 1990s. He underscored that while CCS technology is well-established, the primary barriers to its deployment are economic and policy-related rather than technical. Equinor’s experience includes projects like the Sleipnir field in Norway and their significant role in offshore wind, particularly with the Dogger Bank wind farm.
Hydrogen Projects in the Humber Region: Equinor is spearheading several hydrogen projects in the Humber, aiming to establish a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem. Key projects include:
H2H Saltend Blue Hydrogen Project:
Located at the Saltend Chemicals Park, this project focuses on producing blue hydrogen by reforming natural gas and capturing the CO2 emissions. Supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), it aims to decarbonise industrial operations at Saltend and provide hydrogen for various applications.
Keadby Power Hub:
In collaboration with SSE, Equinor is developing a low-carbon power hub at Keadby. This includes the recently commissioned Keadby 2 gas turbine and future plans for Keadby 3, which will integrate CCS, and Keadby 4, designed to run entirely on hydrogen.
Easington Hydrogen Production:
Partnering with Centrica, Equinor plans to develop both blue and green hydrogen production facilities at Easington. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to create gigawatt-scale hydrogen production and storage capacity in the region.
Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage:
To support the hydrogen supply chain, Equinor is developing large-scale hydrogen storage at Aldbrough. This project involves repurposing existing natural gas storage sites to balance the production and consumption of hydrogen effectively.
Strategic Vision and Challenges: Livingston emphasised the importance of integrated hydrogen value chains, which include production, storage, transport, and utilisation. Equinor’s projects are designed to create a scalable model for hydrogen deployment that can serve both local and national needs. He also noted the necessity of securing access to CO2 transport and storage infrastructure to realise these projects fully.
Equinor's vision for the Humber aligns with the UK’s broader decarbonisation goals, aiming to transform the region into a hub for hydrogen and CCS. However, Livingston highlighted the challenges posed by the need for coordinated policy support and the complexity of aligning various projects and stakeholders.
Call to Action: Livingston concluded by calling for continued collaboration across the industry and with government bodies to ensure the successful implementation of these projects. He invited interested parties to engage with Equinor, particularly regarding the use of hydrogen storage facilities, to further bolster the region's decarbonisation efforts.
Conclusion: Equinor’s initiatives in the Humber represent a significant step towards establishing a robust hydrogen economy and advancing the UK's net-zero ambitions. By leveraging their expertise in both fossil fuels and renewable energy, Equinor is well-positioned to lead in the development of integrated solutions that address the critical challenges of the energy transition.
Introduction and Company Background: In this session, Adam Murray Summerson from Clarke Energy provided insights into the role of integrated energy solutions in achieving net zero emissions. Clarke Energy, historically known for its expertise in gas engines and combined heat and power (CHP) applications, is diversifying into new areas such as battery storage, hydrogen production, and carbon capture utilisation.
Current Energy Policy and Challenges: Summerson addressed the complexities and uncertainties surrounding current UK energy policy, especially in light of the approaching general election. He acknowledged the progress made in decarbonising electricity through renewables but emphasised the significant challenges that remain as energy demand grows and the system shifts towards greater electrification of heat and transport. The existing infrastructure, particularly in transmission and distribution, needs modernization to support these changes effectively.
Importance of Integrated Energy Systems: A key theme of Summerson’s talk was the need for a balanced and integrated energy system. This includes the use of both electrons (electricity) and molecules (gases like hydrogen and biomethane) to meet energy demands efficiently. He pointed out the strategic importance of storing energy in both forms to manage the intermittent nature of renewables and ensure energy resilience.
Technologies and Projects: Summerson highlighted several technologies and projects Clarke Energy is involved in, including:
Battery Energy Storage: Projects like the 20 MW system in Newport, South Wales, which help manage grid stability and store renewable energy.
Hydrogen Production: Participation in projects under the UK’s hydrogen allocation rounds, focusing on producing green hydrogen through electrolysis.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems: Utilising CHP systems for energy-intensive sectors, such as data centres and industrial applications, to provide reliable and efficient energy.
Energy Resilience and Security: Summerson emphasised the stability and reliability of the UK’s gas infrastructure, advocating for its continued use in the future energy mix. He argued that gas, including low-carbon and renewable gases, will play a crucial role in maintaining energy security and balancing the grid, especially during periods of low renewable generation.
Private Sector Investment and Collaboration: Reflecting on the financial aspects, Summerson noted that achieving net zero will require significant private sector investment, supported by government incentives and stable policy frameworks. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the private sector, government, and industry to build investor confidence and drive the necessary advancements in energy technology and infrastructure.
Concluding Thoughts: Summerson concluded by reiterating Clarke Energy’s commitment to supporting the path to net zero through innovative and integrated energy solutions. He encouraged continued dialogue and collaboration to overcome the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities presented by the energy transition.
This session highlighted the critical role of diversified energy strategies and the need for cohesive policy and investment to advance the UK’s decarbonisation goals.
