Environment
Concerns Over Hydrogen Plans
Island Energy revealed its intention to use the gas as part of its plans to become a Net Zero business by 2050.
The chair of the island’s Climate Change Transformation Board and Manx Utilities have both raised doubts over plans to use hydrogen as fuel on the island in coming years.
IslandsEnergy Group revealed its intention to use the gas as part of its plans to become a Net Zero business by 2050.
The group, which owns Isle of Man Energy (formerly Manx Gas) said it is working with partners in the UK and Europe to tap into developments in green hydogren, but said that ‘looks likely that our first hydrogen supply will not be until after 2025’.
Its report added: ‘Due to several factors, the Isle of Man is likely to be the first island to receive hydrogen supply.’
Daphne Caine (Garff) who chairs the CCTB, told Gef that is ‘very welcome when businesses consider how to reduce their carbon footprint and develop sustainability strategies’.
However, she added that ‘at first glance, I am concerned at their emphasis on hydrogen’.
Mrs Caine said: ‘Our current research states that it is unlikely hydrogen will prove a suitable replacement for natural gas in domestic heating on the Isle of Man. As highlighted in the Renewable Heating Scenarios Gemserv report commissioned by the CCTB, hydrogen is considered too costly an option for the island and its volatility raises questions over the suitability of our distribution network both through the gas pipeline and to individual homes.
‘Hydrogen isn’t just a straight swap for natural gas: the molecules are smaller, which means it’s more difficult to contain and upgrades to existing infrastructure could be needed to guard against leaks along with some retrofit, safety requirements in homes, such as venting. Another question would be how IEG will guarantee a supply of genuinely green hydrogen as opposed to much higher emission blue hydrogen.’
Network
We also spoke to Manx Utilities, which was recently given the green light by Tynwald to decarbonise the island’s electricity grid, about the potential use of hydrogen on the island.
The authority said it is ‘not currently looking to utilise hydrogen in the gas network to generate electricity to meet our Target of 2030 Net Zero Electricity’.
A spokesperson added: ‘Presently, hydrogen is not commercially viable due to the high cost of storage and because it will not be readily available in sufficient concentration within the UK-Ireland pipeline by 2030.
‘Manx Utilities does not control the composition nor source of gas as it is supplied via a spur from the main pipeline. The gas transmission supplier will ultimately make the decision on the composition and source and Manx Utilities are prepared to respond to continue to ensure appropriate gas supplies are available for the island.’
We’ve got to pump it up
Mrs Caine also threw doubt over the suggestion that boilers will be widely used going forward as while they are currently more expensive, work is ongoing to bring those costs down and the UK gov hopes to achieve price parity by 2023.
She said: ‘Very few properties are now considered unable to be adapted to heat pump heating. A recent survey of current heat pump users in the UK by Eunomia has found that 81% of households were as satisfied or more satisfied with heat pumps compared with previous heating systems and this was higher in those with older properties at 83%. As well as reducing emissions, a properly designed air source heat pump installation is a much more efficient heating system and can achieve significant cost savings in comparison to LPG and gas.
‘As a board we are considering how best to enable a just transition to a low carbon future for everyone on the island. There are further options to help people reduce home emissions, with support available to eligible applicants on simple measures through the Energy Efficiency Scheme. More information on alternative, low carbon heating options will be added to our website www.netzero.im
