Utility providers investigate hydrogen to power their fleets

Two Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities, are working on an ambitious project with Cenex to explore the possibility of using hydrogen to reduce their fleet's carbon emissions, including  the refuelling infrastructure needed to meet their vehicle duty cycle and power demands.

GDNs, including Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities, operate a wide range of vehicles with specific usage profiles and weight limitations, and have very high onboard energy demands due to the use of specialised equipment, and the need to provide power to hand tools in remote locations. Hydrogen will meet these demands where battery electric vehicles may not be able to perform these duties for the foreseeable future.

As hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are not yet readily available, Cenex will use a combination of telematics and other operational data to produce a ‘heat map’, indicating what proportion of existing journeys can be completed by an equivalent hydrogen vehicle. This ‘heat map’ will inform the specifications and locations of the necessary hydrogen refuelling solutions.

The results of the work will enable Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities to better understand the benefits of using hydrogen powered vehicles across their respective networks and allow them to plan for depot-based hydrogen vehicle trials in the future.

Nick McCarthy, Technical Specialist at Cenex, said: “Utilities companies are required to respond to emergency calls and complete essential repairs at a moment’s notice. The vehicles used must carry heavy equipment, travel long distances, travel off road, and provide power to tools at the work site. As we look to achieve Net Zero targets, hydrogen is proving a viable solution to these challenges.

“Cenex will use its experience in hydrogen transport and infrastructure to assist Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities in measuring the total energy demand of their fleet, including emergency response vehicles. This is the first step towards real world hydrogen vehicle trials and zero emission fleets”.

Sarah Cooper-Birkenhead, Fleet & Plant Manager at Northern Gas Networks, said: “Gas distributors have a crucial role to play in helping the UK meet its net zero carbon ambitions. At Northern Gas Networks, we are aiming for 50% of our fleet to be made up of ultra-low emission vehicles, including hydrogen vehicles, by 2026.

“By scoping the practicalities of running a hydrogen-powered fleet, this project can help gas distributors make the transition more effectively.”