National Grid showcases the multiple possibilities of hydrogen
In New York’s Capital Region, National Grid is partnering with Standard Hydrogen Corporation to demonstrate the United States’ first multiuse, renewable hydrogen-based energy storage and delivery system.
The system, which is expected to be completed by late 2022, will produce and store hydrogen exclusively from purchased renewable power and will make use of the inherent flexibility of hydrogen to avoid greenhouse gas emissions, according to a National Grid news release.
The one-system, one-site project can safely offer up to nine market-based, zero-carbon energy services to support electric service, heating, zero-emissions vehicle services and commercial gas service, the utility said. The facility will produce hydrogen by splitting water molecules into gases, then will use the hydrogen as a medium for renewable energy storage.
It will be capable of eliminating 6,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and 740,000 gallons of gasoline demand annually, according to National Grid.
This initiative supports National Grid’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its direct operations by 80% by 2030, 90% by 2040 and to net zero by 2050 from a 1990 baseline; reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity and gas it sells to customers by 20% by 2030 from a 2016 baseline; and further reduce these emissions beyond 2030 consistent with state targets.
The project will also help National Grid achieve a net zero ambition by 2050 for its U.S. operations.
“Green, renewable hydrogen is a key piece of the puzzle to reach net zero by 2050,” Badar Khan, president of National Grid US, said in the news release. “The new hydrogen-based system is going to reduce emissions in New York across power, transportation and heating, the three most difficult sectors to decarbonize. Innovative systems like this one are going to move the needle for a cleaner tomorrow.”
“There is great hydrogen momentum right now. We are delighted to announce this exciting partnership, and the first infrastructure project within it, to add to that story,” said Standard Hydrogen co-founder and CEO Paul F. Mutolo. “National Grid understands the advantages of hydrogen to reach many of their future energy goals. SHC is delighted to deliver that value—both economic and ecologic—through the operation of our Energy Transfer Station for National Grid.”
The utility said it is proud to support this work, since “further research and development will be crucial to unlocking the true potential of hydrogen as a clean source of energy that can serve multiple sectors of the economy.”
In other hydrogen news, the California Energy Commission has awarded GTI and Sierra Northern Railway nearly $4 million to fund the design, integration and demonstration of a hydrogen fuel cell switching locomotive to support the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstrations in Rail and Marine Applications at Ports, or H2RAM, initiative. The locomotive will show the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology to reduce transportation air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
