Centrica Business Solutions is set to start injecting H₂ into its existing gas peaking plant at Brigg, Lincolnshire as part of a UK first trial with HiiROC aimed at better understanding the role of H₂ in power production.

The 12-month trial will be part funded by a grant from the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), which has given 20 projects a total of £8 MM through its Open Innovation Program. Each is aimed at developing technology which could reduce emissions offshore, accelerate clean energy production and enable the delivery of the UK’s net zero ambitions.

The 49-MW gas fired plant at Brigg is designed to meet demand during peak times or when generation from renewables is low, typically operating for less than three hours a day. Mixing H₂ in with natural gas reduces the overall carbon intensity.

It’s anticipated that during the trial, getting underway in Q3 2023, no more than 3% of the gas mix could be H₂, increasing to 20% incrementally after the project. Longer term, the vision is to move towards 100% H₂ and to deploy similar technology across all gas-fired peaking plant.

HiiROC’s proprietary technology converts biomethane, flare gas or natural gas into clean H₂ and carbon black, through an innovative Thermal Plasma Electrolysis process. This results in a low carbon, or potentially negative carbon, emerald H₂.

Because the byproduct comes in the form of a valuable, solid, pure carbon it can be easily captured and used in applications ranging from tires, rubbers and toners, and in new use cases like building materials and even as a soil enhancer.

Greg McKenna, Managing Director of Centrica Business Solutions said, “Gas still plays a huge role in maintaining a secure, stable supply of power in the UK, with around 40% of our power coming from natural gas. So, it’s vital that we find ways to reduce the carbon intensity of gas plants like that at Brigg.

“We’re delighted to get the grant funding from the NZTC in order to explore the role of hydrogen in providing the low carbon back-up power we’ll need in order to maintain security of supply as more renewable energy comes on stream.”

Alexander Stafford MP, Chair of the Hydrogen All Party Parliamentary Group said, “This is the first-time hydrogen will be used within a grid connected gas fired power plant in the UK, making this trial an important step forward towards realizing the role hydrogen can play in decarbonizing our energy system. It is an exciting milestone that will help accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy and its role in achieving Net Zero. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hydrogen will be following the progress of this trial keenly.”

Tim Davies, HiiROC’s CEO said, “This exciting project with Centrica and the NZTC at the Brigg facility will be a first step on the journey to enable the decarbonization of gas peaking plants. With the continued and crucial rollout of renewable energy generation, intermittency of power supply is a key issue, and the program we are developing with Centrica will explore routes to address intermittency without generating CO₂ emissions.”

Ahead of the trial, Centrica has increased its stake in HiiROC to approximately 5%. In November last year, HiiROC announced a ~£28-MM funding raise with new investors in partnership including Melrose Industries, HydrogenOne, Centrica, CEMEX, Hyundai, and Kia, who joined existing strategic investors Wintershall Dea and VNG.

“HiiROC is pleased to have agreed Centrica’s extended commitment through their increased equity stake, cementing a fantastic partnership to enable Centrica and the UK to reduce emissions and generate low carbon hydrogen,” said Tim Davies.