UK’s clean hydrogen economy faces measurement challenges

Measurement challenges that must be addressed to boost the UK’s clean hydrogen economy are identified in a new study from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

New clean hydrogen technologies are being developed and deployed at an accelerating rate in the race towards net zero but a range of challenges need to be addressed across production, storage, distribution and end use for the hydrogen economy to grow, the NPL, the national metrology lab, has indicated.

Drawing on both in depth research and input from stakeholders, the first and most obvious is reducing the production cost of ‘green’ or electrolytic hydrogen for delivery at scale and with minimal environmental impact.

With numerous production methods available, specific challenges identified include material and device quality control, technology modelling and testing and the integration of electrolysers into the electricity and gas grids.

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Similarly a range of different storage methods are available for hydrogen in either liquid or gaseous states, with issues to consider including cryogenic versus solid state storage and purity and permeability.

As hydrogen is most easily generated close to renewable electricity sources but used in population centres, it will require to be safely and efficiently distributed both via pipelines and transportation.

Technologies for the compression and purification of hydrogen and leakage, embrittlement and blending are challenges to overcome to support the rollout of these infrastructures.

Turning to end use industry and power are expected to be the initial drivers with transport, particularly heavy transport, following.

Filling gaps in regulation and technical and measurement standards across the hydrogen value chain and enabling the decarbonisation of different industries by supporting the progression of hydrogen end-use technologies, alongside the development of new test facilities capable of advanced material research to support emerging hydrogen technologies are all challenges that need to be addressed, the NPL report states.

NPL scientist Ali Al-Sikab has commented that the organisation is ready to work with government, industry and academia to solve the needs and challenges identified in the report.

Said Al-Sikab: “The last few years has seen increased investment in the rapid development and rollout of hydrogen technologies in the UK. As with many new technologies and innovations, metrology lies at the heart of their standardisation and successful operation, which in turn leads to wider commercial uptake.”