Angus McIntosh

The research, published with global consulting and engineering advisor Wood, sets out a transformational and accelerated pathway to 100% hydrogen for Scotland’s gas networks.

SGN commissioned Wood to investigate the feasibility of a hydrogen energy system. The report reveals how utilising Scotland’s existing gas infrastructure could also decarbonise industry and transport in addition to over 90% of homes and businesses.

The pathway could help speed up the delivery of the Scottish Government’s 2030 and 2045 carbon emissions reductions and ultimately help meet the 2045 net zero target.

The proposals detail how the initial conversion of Aberdeen to 100% hydrogen could take place by the end of the decade. Hydrogen, which would be produced and stored at St Fergus on the north east coast, would be injected into the gas network system, initially making up 2% of the blend. This would grow to 20% then 100%, making Aberdeen the world’s first hydrogen powered city. Conversion of homes and buildings along the north east coast and across the central belt would take place after Aberdeen, with other areas of Scotland’s gas network being converted by 2045.

Blue and green hydrogen production would both play critical parts in the end-to-end system, working in tandem. The study also investigates the feasibility of a CO2 collection network to securely capture, transport and store carbon dioxide emissions deep underground.

Angus McIntosh, SGN’s director of energy futures, said: “This report outlines the practical steps needed to rapidly decarbonise a significant part of Scotland’s homes and industry. Hydrogen gives customers choice and control in the way they heat their homes and provides a practical, secure and low disruption pathway to net zero. It has the potential to deliver powerful macroeconomic benefits and help Scotland be a global leader in the development of a hydrogen economy.

“We’ll now work with key stakeholders and complementary hydrogen production and demand initiatives to deliver this vision. We have launched the preliminary engineering phase of the Aberdeen Vision pipeline, which will refine the planning for the proposed new pipeline connecting blue hydrogen production at St Fergus and offshore green hydrogen production to Aberdeen City and the wider area in the north east.”

He added: “By offering a significant opportunity for the substantial decarbonisation of Scottish industrial, domestic and commercial gas customers, we can pave the way for the creation of a hydrogen economy in Scotland. This would provide a route to market for hydrogen production and the use of hydrogen in other sectors such as transport and power generation.

“We’re looking forward to continue working with the Scottish Government in the coming months to demonstrate the role hydrogen can play in helping meet the needs of customers.”

SGN’s world-first H100 Fife project is spearheading the transition to green energy. The firm is developing a hydrogen network in Buckhaven which will bring renewable hydrogen into homes in 2023, providing zero carbon fuel for heating and cooking. In the project’s first phase, the network will heat around 300 local homes using clean gas produced by a dedicated electrolysis plant, powered by a nearby offshore wind turbine.