Modern Building Services

EDITOR’S COMMENT MODERN BUILDING SERVICES SEPTEMBER 2021 3 W elcome to the September issue of MBS (Modern Building Services) at the time of going to print the Government announced its Hydrogen strategy. They say “Hydrogen is one of a handful of new, low carbon solutions that will be critical for the UK’s transition to net zero. As part of a deeply decarbonised, deeply renewable energy system, low carbon hydrogen could be a versatile replacement for high-carbon fuels used today – helping to bring down emissions in vital UK industrial sectors and providing flexible energy for power, heat and transport. The UK’s vision, resources and know-how are ideally suited to rapidly developing a thriving hydrogen economy. Our world-class innovation and expertise offer opportunities for UK companies in growing domestic and global markets. The UK Hydrogen Strategy sets out how we will drive progress in the 2020s, to deliver our 5GW production ambition by 2030 and position hydrogen to help meet our Sixth Carbon Budget and net zero commitments.” Whilst this is seen as a positive step forward, it’s not universally welcomed. Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, responds to the publication of the Hydrogen Strategy: “MCS does not believe green hydrogen is the solution for heating our homes. Though, we do support the strategic use of green hydrogen in the hard to decarbonise sectors such as transport, shipping, heavy industry and aviation. “It’s concerning that the strategy cites ambition that hydrogen could replace natural gas in powering around 3 million UK homes – this won’t be feasible until costs can be significantly reduced below that of natural gas prices today. “Using green hydrogen to heat our homes is up to five times more expensive than current natural gas prices, and up to seven times less efficient than using renewable energy to power a heat pump. “Given the current lack of supporting infrastructure and carbon capture, usage and storage facilities, plus the ultimate cost to consumers of adopting a hydrogen-based strategy, we would urge government to reconsider. Focusing on hydrogen distracts from retrofitting our homes, potentially diverting huge sums of government finances to where they are most needed. “The government threw the renewables sector into chaos axing the Green Homes Grant early. Meanwhile, another key support for industry and consumers, the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, is due to end in March 2022, with no firm plan for its successor. We’re facing a policy cliff-edge. “Our national ambition to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 simply will not be met if the government continues to stutter when an immediate overhaul of our green economy is required.” However, Mike Foster, CEOat Energy andUtilities Alliance (EUA) sees theUK’s Hydrogen Strategy, as a positivemove. In which he say’s “it represents a huge step in the right direction for the introduction of the technology, something the heating industry is rallying behind in the decarbonisation process. “The Government’s commitment to hydrogen is a promising step, which will help to create thousands of jobs and decarbonise homes for millions of consumers with minimal disruption. “We are enthused to see the Government also recognise the role a hydrogen blend into the grid will play in reducing carbon emissions without homeowners needing to change appliances or boilers. It is of great importance that the transition to hydrogen does not cause disruption or large costs to consumers. The blend is a way to significantly reduce emissions with no change, which will in turn leave time for the groundwork to be laid for a seamless switch to 100% hydrogen later on. “We also welcome Business & Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng’s recognition of hydrogen’s potential for decarbonising heat in homes and commercial buildings across the country. “Giving consumers choice when it comes to low carbon heating is vital to ensuring all buildings can be suitably decarbonised to hit targets set out by government. Research conducted in our recent report Too Close to Home revealed 72% of homeowners supported efforts of UK manufacturers to develop low carbon gas boilers, such as hydrogen boilers. The establishment of a Hydrogen Strategy will be to ensure this consumer sentiment is met, and disruption is limited in the renewable transition…” I would be very keen to hear your thoughts and welcome all feedback by emailing julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk Juliet Loiselle CompCIPHE/MinstR Editorial: Juliet Loiselle MInstR – Editor J ulietl@warnersgroup.co.uk ✆ 01778 391067 Advertising: Robyn Teague – Sales Manage r Robyn.teague@warnersgroup.co.uk ✆ 01778 395029 Production: Sue Ward production@warnersgroup.co.uk ✆ 01778 392405 Circulation & Subscriptions: DavidWade dwade@portico.uk.com ✆ 01438 759000 M BS MODERN BUILDING SERVICES Subs c ription rate for readers not meeting our terms of control. £40 per year UK £50 per year overseas £70 per year overseas, airmail £5 single issue UK Some manufacturers and suppliers have contributed towards the cost of reproducing some photographs in this issue. 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