UK gas supplier Centrica and hydrogen distribution firm Ryze have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly build and operate hydrogen production facilities aimed at providing reliable supply for industry and transportation.

Under the partnership, Centrica will manage assets supplying electricity for green hydrogen production as well as trading in energy, including hydrogen, and storage.

Centrica and Ryze will explore the potential for converting some of Centrica subsidiary British Gas’ refuelling infrastructure, locations and vans to hydrogen. Centrica will also work with Ryze to offer hydrogen to existing industrial and commercial customers seeking to decarbonise onsite power generation.

“The UK should aim to be a net exporter of hydrogen” Mezzullo, Centrica

In October, Centrica said it would run a 12-month trial from Q3 2023 to inject an incrementally increasing concentration of hydrogen into its gas-fired peaking power plant at Brigg. The firm has also announced its ambitions to convert Rough—a 100bn m³ gas storage facility initially closed in 2017 and reopened last month—to store both natural gas and hydrogen.

“Low-carbon hydrogen will play a major role in decarbonising our energy systems. It enables the increased use of renewable and low carbon electricity by offering the potential for storage in quantities that provide long-term resilience and another choice for decarbonising hard to electrify sectors,” says William Mezzullo, head of hydrogen for Centrica.

“We should be bold in our thinking. the UK should aim to be a net exporter of hydrogen, providing high-quality green jobs, additional revenues for the UK treasury and a lower cost of transitioning to net zero for homeowners and businesses.”

---

Author: Polly Martin