Wood and gas distribution network company SGN are working together on an important project to evaluate and deliver short, medium and long-term solutions for the cross-sectoral decarbonisation of the north east and east coast of 苏格兰.
SGN is committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, providing heat and warmth to 14 million people in homes and businesses across 苏格兰 and southern England.
The North East Network & Industrial Cluster development project will deliver a comprehensive and practical roadmap that enables existing and future gas networks to help meet national net-zero 2045 decarbonisation targets, and the ultimate goal of providing 100% hydrogen from renewable sources. The feasibility of this will be investigated alongside a carbon collection network to sequester CO2 from difficult to decarbonise sectors and possible negative emissions.
The multi-disciplinary team from across Wood’s global business, 包括可再生能源, 碳捕获, hydrogen production and pipeline distribution experts, will investigate re-purposing and further developing SGN’s existing distribution gas networks on the east coast and central belt of 苏格兰 as a viable alternative to natural gas, using hydrogen and 碳捕获 and storage (CCS) technologies.
According to NECCUS, Scottish industry currently emits about 11.9太有限公司2 per year, the equivalent of around 2.600万辆汽车. With many of the largest emitters clustered together, key industrial locations such as Grangemouth, Mossmorran and St Fergus will be major focal points for the study.
Infographic showing proposed clean hydrogen reconfiguration concept
乔Sczurko, CEO of Wood’s Technical Consulting Solutions business, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with SGN on the North East Network & Industrial Cluster development.
“This study has the potential to play a significant role in decarbonising heavy industry in the region, and the work exemplifies our focus and breadth of capability to drive the energy transition forward. Innovative solutions today will help SGN provide reliable and clean energy for the future, as well as make measurable progress toward 苏格兰’s goal to become net-zero by 2045.
“The north east of 苏格兰 has the potential to become a major hydrogen hub thanks to its existing infrastructure and the clustering of major carbon emitters, as well as the proximity to storage capacity for sequestered carbon dioxide and onshore and offshore renewable energy resources.“
Angus McIntosh, director of 能源 Futures at SGN, said: “The North East Network & Industrial Cluster is an exciting study and an important step in the journey towards meeting our net zero targets. Cutting emissions from heavy industry is one of the biggest challenges that we face in the pathway to decarbonisation, but the deployment of 100% hydrogen generated by renewable sources, supported by 碳捕获 and storage, presents a credible solution.
“With its abundant renewables resource and the early promise shown by 碳捕获 and storage projects, 苏格兰's east coast is in a strong position to seize this opportunity and become a leader in our future hydrogen economy. We look forward to working with Wood to deliver that significant prize.”
This holistic technical assessment will include investigating the potential for other cross-sectoral uses for hydrogen such as road freight, 铁路, and maritime transport and, 从长远来看, 航空.
The study will also assess the feasibility of the development of an offshore hydrogen supergrid linking offshore hydrogen production and potential storage locations with onshore industrial facilities in the UK, 德国, 荷兰, 和比利时.
Image banner shows Grangemouth Refinery, located on the Firth of Forth in Grangemouth, 苏格兰.