The UK government has shortlisted a development that merges the entire hydrogen value chain into a single point: the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project. The development is being promoted by SSE Thermal and Equinor, which plan to locate it at the existing Aldbrough gas storage facility in East Yorkshire.
Progress on the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project
This project contemplates a 35 MWe electrolyzer that will harness electricity from clean sources, complying with low carbon hydrogen standards. The hydrogen generated will be stored will be stored in modified salt caverns and then fed to an open-cycle gas turbine that will operate on up to 100% hydrogen, providing flexible power to the grid on demand.
Currently at an advanced stage, the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder has completed its initial engineering and design stage. The planning application is under review, and if it gains approval along with the final investment decision, it could be operational by mid-2029. This makes it the most viable option for integrating 100% hydrogen power into the grid by 2030, aligning with national zero emissions targets.
The companies SSE and Equinor are collaborating on a proposed large-scale hydrogen storage facility in Aldbrough. In addition, together with Centrica Storage, they plan to interconnect East Yorkshire energy facilities(Aldbrough, Saltend and Easington) via the Humber hydrogen pipeline.
Through theHydrogen Allocation Round 2program, the UK Government is evaluating strategic projects such as this one. The Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder stands out as a demonstration model of the interaction between production, storage and flexible generation, and its progress will chart the pace of large-scale hydrogen deployment in the UK’s energy transition.
The UK Government has been clear about the importance of hydrogen to the UK’s net zero emissions aspirations and its potential role in a clean energy system.
Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder will help show how the various aspects of the value chain interact, while providing much-needed electricity to the grid, and represents the only realistic opportunity for a 100% hydrogen-fueled power plant by 2030.
Finlay McCutcheon, managing director of SSE Thermal.
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Source and photo: SSE Thermal
