Industry-wide hydrogen-focused projects, such as H21, Hy4Heat, H100, HyNet and HyDeploy, are supporting the move away from natural gas. Leading boiler manufacturers Worcester Bosch and Baxi are all tackling the challenge to transition from natural gas to hydrogen gas, and have developed highly efficient, hydrogen-ready boilers.
The Worcester prototype hydrogen boiler has been designed to easily make the transition from natural gas to hydrogen gas, burning on natural gas until the switch to hydrogen. It’s build is similar to that of its natural gas counterpart, which means that gas installers will only require minimal additional training to fit the new products.
Martyn Bridges, director of technical communication and product management at Worcester Bosch, said: “The development of hydrogen-fired boilers will mean millions of existing heating systems in our homes can be saved, rather than the entire system needing to be replaced.
“The beauty of hydrogen as an alternative to natural gas is that as well as water as a by-product, Worcester Bosch has developed a technical solution that will feel familiar to both homeowners and installers. The gas network is also in place, so homeowners won’t experience any major infrastructure disruption.
“With fully developed prototypes, various trials planned and many heating engineers and manufacturers in agreement that this could be a viable solution to decarbonise heating and hot water, we are hopeful that the future will be hydrogen.”
The Baxi hydrogen boiler prototype has also been developed to fit into the same footprint as an existing gas boiler and to be hydrogen-ready – burning natural gas until the switch to hydrogen takes place – easing the transition from natural gas to hydrogen gas.
“There isn’t a one size fits all low carbon heating solution, but hydrogen could represent the best solution for many homes in the UK,” says Jeff House, head of external affairs at Baxi Heating. “The UK has the highest penetration of natural gas in the world, with a good safety record and proven ability to respond quickly to high demand. So a hydrogen ready boiler, that is initially able to work on natural gas and can be adapted with just two or three components, makes a lot of sense.”
