Introduction
Session 5 of the Foresight Hydrogen Production Conference focused on the entire hydrogen value chain, emphasising collaboration, project realisation, digitalisation, and blue vs. green hydrogen development. Moderated by Mike Copson (Associate Director, Arup), the session included speakers from Hynamics, Cadent, Energy UK and Siemens. Discussions ranged from the current challenges in the UK hydrogen market to the role of policy, infrastructure, and technology in scaling hydrogen deployment.
1. Realising Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production by Hynamics
Speaker: Pete Fear, Business Development Manager, Hynamics (EDF Group)
Key Highlights:
Hynamics' Experience in Hydrogen:
Operates two live projects in France (Auxerre & Belfort) and has more under construction.
Seeks to replicate success in the UK market, pending policy and subsidy clarity.
The NFL Analogy for Hydrogen Development:
Compared hydrogen project development to an American football season:
Drafting talent (finding the right partners, locations, and financial backing).
Designing a playbook (developing a clear project roadmap).
Playing the season (navigating regulatory and funding hurdles).
Reaching the playoffs (achieving approvals and contracts).
Winning the Super Bowl (commissioning a live hydrogen plant).
Challenges & Market Realities:
The UK lacks clear financial mechanisms compared to France and Germany, which have dedicated hydrogen funding programs.
Collaboration is critical across industry and government to overcome hurdles.
2. Blue Hydrogen & Infrastructure Development by Cadent
Speaker: Martin Shannon, Head of Commercial, Cadent Gas
Key Highlights:
Cadent's Hydrogen Strategy:
Largest UK gas distributor, responsible for 132,000 km of pipeline.
Focus on transitioning existing networks to hydrogen.
Five Major Hydrogen Projects in the UK:
HyNet (Northwest England) & East Coast Cluster: Government-backed Track 1 CCS projects.
Hydrogen Valley, London, and East Midlands: Key areas targeted for industrial hydrogen switching.
Industrial Hydrogen Demand & Policy Advocacy:
Working closely with UK industries to integrate hydrogen.
Advocating for carbon pricing clarity to ensure competitiveness.
Urging government to finalise funding agreements to unlock £22bn in investments.
Storage & Pipeline Integration:
19 underground storage caverns planned, holding up to 35,000 tons of hydrogen.
Collaborating with National Gas Transmission (NGT) and Store Energy to optimize hydrogen transport.
3. National Hydrogen Policy & Market Growth by Energy UK
Speaker: Charles Wood, Deputy Director, Energy UK
Key Highlights:
UK Hydrogen Growth Needs Policy Certainty:
Government must accelerate decision-making on Hydrogen Business Models.
Industry requires clear targets for dispatchable hydrogen generation (goal: 17GW by 2035).
Challenges in Grid Connectivity & Energy Planning:
550GW of projects are stuck in the UK energy queue, delaying deployment.
NISO must integrate hydrogen into national planning alongside electricity.
Strategic Energy Planning:
Government should incentivise industries to locate near hydrogen hubs.
Regional energy plans must be aligned to avoid postcode disparities in hydrogen access.
4. Hydrogen Digitalisation & Cost Optimisation by Siemens
Speaker: Ben Laws, Siemens
Key Highlights:
The Role of Digital Twins in Hydrogen Production:
Virtual modelling can reduce CAPEX and OPEX by up to 10%.
Improves system efficiency, risk assessment, and operational performance.
Siemens’ Digital Hydrogen Plant:
Simulations, predictive maintenance, and AI-based analytics optimize plant operation.
Enables faster commissioning and better decision-making for operators.
Case Study: Protium Hydrogen Plant
Siemens implemented digital optimisation tools for Protium’s hydrogen projects.
Resulted in cost savings, enhanced production scheduling, and predictive maintenance capabilities.
Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A: Key Takeaways
1. Collaboration & Market Readiness
UK hydrogen sector is growing, but lacks integrated government backing compared to the EU and US.
Private investment is ready but needs clearer regulatory support.
2. Infrastructure & Policy Gaps
Grid connection delays must be addressed to speed up hydrogen deployment.
Certainty in business models and pricing mechanisms will unlock hydrogen investments.
Hydrogen storage & transport require early government intervention to avoid bottlenecks.
3. Digitalisation & Innovation
Hydrogen digital twins can significantly reduce costs and optimize production.
AI-based predictive maintenance will extend plant lifespans and reduce downtime.
4. Next Steps & Industry Priorities
Finalise UK hydrogen policies & infrastructure plans to maintain momentum.
Ensure regional energy strategies align with hydrogen deployment goals.
Encourage public-private partnerships to drive innovation and cost reductions.
Conclusion & Recommendations
Key Takeaways:
UK hydrogen projects need faster regulatory approvals to unlock investments.
Infrastructure development is lagging behind demand; government must accelerate pipeline and storage planning.
Digital solutions will play a critical role in reducing production costs and improving efficiency.
Collaboration across sectors is essential to successfully implement hydrogen at scale.
Recommendations:
Accelerate hydrogen business model decisions to provide certainty for investors.
Streamline grid connection processes to facilitate faster deployment of hydrogen projects.
Expand UK’s hydrogen certification schemes to support international trade.
Develop a national hydrogen workforce strategy to ensure long-term industry growth.
By tackling these challenges, the UK can position itself as a global hydrogen leader, driving innovation, industrial decarbonisation, and economic growth.
Introduction
Session 6 of the Foresight Hydrogen Production Conference provided in-depth discussions on hydrogen scale-up, automation, and regional hydrogen network development. Experts from Compact Syngas Solutions (CSS), Emerson, the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), and Cadent presented insights into modular hydrogen production, automation for large-scale hydrogen plants, digital transformation, and the role of hydrogen pipelines in decarbonisation.
1. Unlocking Hydrogen from Biomass & Waste by Compact Syngas Solutions (CSS)
Speaker: Paul Willacy, CEO, CSS
Key Highlights:
Modular Gasification Technology:
Uses biomass and non-recyclable waste to produce hydrogen-rich syngas.
Down-draft gasification approach with multiple energy outputs (hydrogen, sustainable fuels, and power).
H2 BEX Project:
Developed a water-based carbon capture system to remove CO₂ from syngas.
Integrates Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) to purify hydrogen to 99%+ purity.
Application & Impact:
Generates hydrogen for industrial and transport use while capturing CO₂.
Aiming to scale modular units near feedstock sources to reduce transportation costs.
Exploring sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
2. Scaling Hydrogen Production with Automation by Emerson
Speaker: Paul Wann, Director, Sustainability & Decarbonisation, Emerson
Key Highlights:
Automation for Hydrogen Scale-Up:
Managing hydrogen production efficiency through advanced control systems.
Utilising integrated control and safety systems (ICSs) to optimize plant operations.
Digital Transformation in Hydrogen:
Digital twins used for simulating large-scale hydrogen production.
AI-powered sensors detect leaks, inefficiencies, and safety issues.
Cloud-based automation ensures real-time performance monitoring.
Lessons from Other Industries:
Automation expertise from oil & gas, chemicals, and life sciences is applied to hydrogen production.
Ensuring traceability for carbon intensity in hydrogen production.
Case Studies:
Supported hydrogen electrolyser scale-up for gigawatt-scale projects.
Deployed smart commissioning tools for reducing plant start-up time.
3. Hydrogen Infrastructure & Digitalisation by Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC)
Speaker: Darren Gee, NZTC
Key Highlights:
Offshore Hydrogen & Digital Integration:
Exploring hydrogen pipeline reuse vs. new hydrogen backbone infrastructure.
Developed offshore energy digital architecture (OEDA) to optimize hydrogen supply chains.
Alternative Fuels for Gas Turbines:
Shift from hydrogen to methanol for offshore power due to safety concerns.
Siemens successfully demonstrated methanol-powered gas turbines.
Collaboration & Industry Engagement:
NZTC secured £16.5 million in government funding and £18 million in industry match funding.
Partnered with Lloyds Register, Sellafield, Total, Shell, and UK Ports.
Researching 10 GW of hydrogen production potential for UK hydrogen export strategy.
4. Regional Hydrogen Network Development by Cadent
Speaker: Sally Brewis, Head of Regional Development, Cadent
Key Highlights:
Hydrogen Pipeline Networks:
Developed five regional hydrogen programs:
HyNet (Northwest England)
Hydrogen Valley (Midlands & Stoke-on-Trent)
East Coast Hydrogen (Humber & East Midlands)
Capital Hydrogen (London & South East)
East Coast Hydrogen Project:
Connecting hydrogen producers, industrial users, and storage sites.
Over 160 industrial & power generation sites have committed to 63 TWh/year of hydrogen demand.
Plans to integrate with UK’s hydrogen backbone and salt cavern storage.
Challenges in Hydrogen Transport:
Security of hydrogen supply—balancing pipeline infrastructure with flexible storage solutions.
Coordination with National Gas Transmission (NGT) and National Energy System Operator (NISO).
Decarbonising power stations & flexible generators through hydrogen integration.
Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A: Key Takeaways
1. Scaling Hydrogen Infrastructure & Market Readiness
Infrastructure development lags behind demand—policy clarity is required.
Private sector investment is ready, but long-term funding mechanisms are needed.
2. Role of Digitalisation & Automation
Digital twins reduce hydrogen production costs and improve efficiency.
AI-driven predictive maintenance ensures safety and reduces plant downtime.
Automation standardisation needed to accelerate hydrogen project scale-up.
3. Hydrogen Feedstock & Sustainability Concerns
Biomass & waste feedstocks face supply challenges, requiring localised solutions.
Growing competition for non-recyclable plastics in hydrogen & alternative fuels.
Methanol-based hydrogen systems could be a viable offshore alternative.
4. Future Policy & Infrastructure Alignment
Hydrogen Business Models (HBM) must be finalised to enable private sector investment.
Grid connection approvals & regional hydrogen planning need acceleration.
Hydrogen backbone & regional storage integration are critical to scaling industrial use.
Conclusion & Recommendations
Key Takeaways:
Modular gasification & biomass-based hydrogen production can provide decentralised hydrogen solutions.
Automation & digitalisation will play a crucial role in hydrogen scale-up.
Hydrogen pipeline & storage planning must align with regional industrial demand.
Collaboration between industry, government, and technology providers is essential for UK hydrogen success.
Recommendations:
Accelerate UK hydrogen policy decisions to provide investment certainty.
Expand automation & digital twin adoption to reduce hydrogen production costs.
Strengthen hydrogen infrastructure development to avoid supply bottlenecks.
Encourage cross-sector collaboration to integrate hydrogen with industrial decarbonisation strategies.
By addressing these challenges, the UK can position itself as a global leader in hydrogen innovation, deployment, and exports.
Introduction
The final session of the Foresight Hydrogen Production Conference focused on one of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of hydrogen production: water availability, management, and efficiency. Experts from the Water Research Center, Dechema, Environment Agency, Nalco Water, and others discussed the intersection of hydrogen and water resources, covering topics such as desalination, water demand in hydrogen production, environmental regulations, and the need for collaborative water planning.
1. Water Treatment Technologies for Green Hydrogen by Water Research Centre
Speaker: Abraham Negaresh, Desalination and Reuse Lead
Key Highlights:
Water demand in green hydrogen production:
Producing 1 kg of hydrogen requires at least 9 kg of water, though real-world conditions often increase water demand to 20-30 kg per kg of hydrogen.
Electrolysis and cooling systems are the two largest consumers of water in hydrogen production.
Water sources & treatment:
Seawater desalination and wastewater reuse are key solutions for sustainable hydrogen production.
Reverse osmosis (RO) and additional purification stages are needed to meet the ASTM Type 2 standard for electrolysis.
Emerging desalination technologies:
Electro-dialysis and membrane distillation are promising alternatives for reducing water consumption and energy use.
Challenges & recommendations:
Hydrogen projects should integrate water resource planning early to avoid shortages.
Policy and industry collaboration are needed to make water treatment for hydrogen more cost-efficient and sustainable.
2. Hydrogen Production in Water-Scarce Regions by Dechema
Speaker: Daniel Frank, Senior Water Advisor & Development Lead for Hydrogen
Key Highlights:
Global hydrogen demand & water scarcity:
Germany aims to import 80% of its hydrogen due to the high costs of domestic production.
Green hydrogen projects in Namibia and other water-scarce regions present both challenges and opportunities.
Desalination & environmental impacts:
Producing 1 million tons of green hydrogen requires up to 45 million cubic meters of water.
Brine disposal from desalination plants could harm marine ecosystems if not managed properly.
Water-energy-food nexus:
Hydrogen projects must benefit local communities by providing clean water access.
Failing to integrate local water needs into hydrogen production risks being seen as a form of resource colonialism.
3. Water Availability & Environmental Regulations in the UK by the Environment Agency
Speaker: Liz Cairns, Senior Advisor for Water Resources
Key Highlights:
Regulatory landscape for hydrogen projects:
The Environment Agency (EA) regulates hydrogen production, storage, and water use under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).
Water abstraction licenses are required for projects drawing directly from groundwater or surface water sources.
UK’s water scarcity challenges:
By 2050, England could face a 5 billion-liter per day water deficit.
Industrial clusters in Teesside & Humber are in high water-stress regions, requiring alternative water sourcing solutions.
Strategic recommendations for hydrogen projects:
Early engagement with the EA and regional water planners is essential for securing sustainable water supplies.
Hydrogen projects should consider wastewater reuse, desalination, and rainwater harvesting to reduce reliance on fresh water.
4. The Role of Water in Industrial Decarbonisation by Nalco Water
Speaker: Jeff Townsend, Industry Fellow, Nalco Water
Key Highlights:
Water as a strategic resource for hydrogen production:
Water efficiency can enhance hydrogen plant productivity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
Proper pre-treatment of water reduces membrane fouling and electrolyser degradation, improving system lifespan.
Digitalisation & water optimisation:
AI-driven digital twins can optimize water use and recycling in hydrogen facilities.
Electrostatic condensation technology is being explored to recover water vapor from cooling systems.
Balancing water use with industrial growth:
Data centres, EV battery plants, and other industrial projects also compete for water resources.
Collaboration with water utilities and policymakers is necessary to align hydrogen projects with long-term water security.
Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A: Key Takeaways
1. Planning for Hydrogen & Water Together
Hydrogen developers must engage with water regulators & utilities early to secure long-term water access.
Regional collaboration is key—hydrogen clusters should align their plans with local water resource groups.
2. Innovations in Water Recovery & Efficiency
Direct seawater electrolysis is still 10-20 years from commercialisation.
Electrostatic condensation and AI-based water monitoring can improve efficiency in hydrogen production.
Brine management from desalination needs more sustainable solutions to minimise environmental impact.
3. Bridging the Policy & Regulation Gap
The UK government must better integrate water planning with hydrogen and energy strategies.
Differences in planning structures between energy & water sectors make infrastructure coordination difficult.
4. The Future of Water in Hydrogen Production
Water availability could become a major bottleneck for green hydrogen expansion.
Hydrogen projects must demonstrate water-positive impacts to gain local and regulatory support.
Conclusion & Recommendations
Key Takeaways:
Hydrogen projects need long-term water strategies to ensure sustainability and regulatory compliance.
Alternative water sources (wastewater, desalination) are essential in water-stressed regions.
Collaboration between hydrogen, energy, and water sectors is critical for efficient infrastructure development.
Digital technologies can improve water efficiency and reduce operational costs in hydrogen production.
Recommendations:
Hydrogen developers should engage early with water regulators to secure necessary permits and explore alternative water sources.
Invest in R&D for water-efficient electrolysis and desalination to minimise environmental impact.
Government agencies must align energy & water planning policies to streamline approvals and ensure supply security.
Encourage cross-sector partnerships to optimize water use and improve resilience against future shortages.
By addressing these challenges, the UK can lead in hydrogen innovation while safeguarding water resources for future generations.
Production Conference - Day One | |
Production Conference - Day Two | |
Mobility Conference - Day One |
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