Further investment in the H21 Leeds City Gate project could signify a major shift towards 100% hydrogen for the UK gas grid, according to Martyn Bridges.

Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester Bosch, believes that the project could change the future of domestic heating in the UK.

Martyn said: “The H21 Leeds City Gate project is a shining example of how hydrogen could become established as a safe, environmentally-friendly, and economically viable heating solution for an entire city. While this is an isolated example, if successful, it won’t be long until the rest of the UK is also considering converting to greener energy sources, such as hydrogen.

“This isn’t the first time the UK has transitioned to a different domestic energy source – proven by moving away from Town gas to natural gas in the 60s and 70s. Of course this had its challenges and meant that appliances and delivery systems had to be converted in order to cope, but we overcame this with relative ease.”

On the benefits of using our existing gas infrastructure, Martyn explained that this is a benefit that the alternative electrification route doesn’t have.

He said: “The energy infrastructure we already have in-place can be adapted, and we’re already looking at how a domestic boiler fuelled by hydrogen might be brought to market. In fact, the replacement of natural gas with hydrogen would theoretically require no change to how we interact with our heating and cooking appliances.

“Overall, it is essential and necessary to continue to evolve and develop how we source and use our energy infrastructure, especially if the UK is to comply with the Climate Change Act and reduce emissions by 80% over the course of the next 32 years.”