Yorkshire firm leads energy research

ITM Power is to lead a project looking at how hydrogen generated using renewable energy could be injected into the UK gas network.

The Sheffield-based firm has received Government funding to look at how the idea could work wth the Scottish Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association and Cheltenham firm Gastec at CRE.

Renewable energy generation is due to increase significantly in the UK in the coming years and ways need to be found to overcome peaks and troughs in supply caused by factors such as high and low wind levels.

The project will look at how electricity generated from renewable sources could create hydrogen gas through electrolysis that could be used in the UK network.

Graham Cooley, chief executive at ITM Power, said: “ITM Power’s technology is ready at the 1MW level and we are very excited about energy storage using the injection of hydrogen directly into the gas grid. 

“Managing renewables is about harvesting and utilising the maximum amount of energy possible.  Generating green hydrogen and injecting it directly into the gas main grid is an excellent way of solving the renewable intermittency quandary.” 

The project, costing £164,000, has been backed by the Government’s Technology Strategy Board and will take a year to complete.