Using hydrogen instead of heat pumps for heating buildings would be a ‘much less efficient’ use of domestic energy resources, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned.
In last month’s report on the decarbonisation of the power system, the statutory climate change advisory body says a reliable and resilient decarbonised electricity system can be delivered by the target date of 2035.
This includes allowing for a 16% increase in electricity consumption by that date, to meet demand.
However, achieving this predominantly from hydrogen, the other low carbon heating option being considered by the government, would rely on imports of natural gas or electricity to manufacture the low carbon fuel.
High levels of hydrogen use outside of the electricity generation power system, such as for heating buildings, are a ‘key risk’ for meeting future targets, says the CCC.
The report identifies a vital role for hydrogen in providing back-up electricity during periods of low renewable electricity output.
