Technology on show at the All Energy Exhibition and Conference in Glasgow this week

Technology on show at the All Energy Exhibition and Conference in Glasgow this week

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Scotland has the massive potential to use hydrogen energy to meet its green targets, the All-Energy Conference heard today.

The fledgling hydrogen industry has now created the Scottish Hydrogen Interest Group to look at how a variety of existing small-scale projects can be brought together to create a single unified industrial sector. One of the group's early objectives is to identify the key strengths in Scotland looking at the existing skills, knowledge and engineering projects.

Speaking at the Energy Storage and Hydrogen Hub seminar, in association with Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association, David Holman, emerging energy sector specialist with Scottish Enterprise, believes Scotland could have the first 100% hydrogen network in the world.

Holman said that hydrogen can be used for future de-carbonised public transport and also for the heating of Scottish homes and businesses.

Transport groups are increasingly looking at hydrogen. The Ferguson Marine shipyard, based in Port Glasgow and developing a hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system, and Alexander Dennis, the bus makers in Falkirk, whose hydrogen bus was on display, are among the Scottish businesses developing new transport system, while Scottish Gas Networks, (SGN) is considering how hydrogen gas can be pumped for domestic and commercial use.

"Do we want to be bold and carry out the next stage and do we want Scotland to be the global supplier for around the world?'' asked Holman "That is an ambition we want to aim for.''

His view was supported by Emil Rangelov, chief executive officer of Glasgow-based HV Systems, which is working on a zero emission commercial vehicle. He said hydrogen represents 70% of the Universe and is the smallest known molecule. It has massive potential in a carbon-neutral future and he estimated 30,000 hydrogen jobs could be created in Scotland in the next few years. His company is winner of the Scottish Green Apple Award for sustainability.

Holman also pointed out the economic benefits in terms of transition from the oil and gas industry's expertise in the North Sea to a hydrogen and fuel-cell based future.

Heidi Genomi, programme manager with Arup, explained the recently replaced plastic gas pipes around the country are viewed as ideal for the transmission of hydrogen. She pointed out that hydrogen was once part of the Town Gas supply which was piped into homes before Natural Gas from the North Sea became plentiful in the 1970s. The methane in existing North Sea gas is a major cause of global warming.

She will noted that a range of new appliances in homes will be required to handle the new source. It will also mean a new system of certification and safety regulation for domestic appliances.

The Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association is working with the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and HIE.

"There is no point in reinventing the wheel. Let's take all the existing low-carbon strategies and look at what they mean in terms of economic outputs,'' said Holman.