Why hydrogen?
Hydrogen provides a new way to store and transport energy, and it can do this with no carbon emissions.
1) Hydrogen can be used to store renewable energy from solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind, which can then be used to:
- Export to nations who are moving toward a hydrogen economy.
- Help manage the security of the electricity grid by:
- storing excess renewable energy from one period (and place) and then releasing the energy back into the grid when it's needed.
- using electrolysers (which produce hydrogen from water) as a flexible load that can come on and off quickly.
2) Hydrogen can be used to take the carbon out of:
- Transport, including light and heavy road vehicles, trains, ferries, ships and planes.
- Household and industry heating and cooking, by replacing natural gas.
- Carbon emissions-heavy processes, such as for oil refining, and the production of chemicals and steel.
Hydrogen connects the transport and energy sectors in a new way, allowing for energy to be converted across uses. It can be produced on-site, with an electrolyser using only electricity and water as inputs.