Wales & West Utilities (WWU) has commissioned Costain to support a study into green energy alternatives for its industrial and commercial customers.

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The study will examine how WWU’s I&C customers – many of whom are connected to the natural gas network – could transition to a lower-carbon network through a hydrogen blend or conversion.

Many I&C customers are considered hard to decarbonise due to the high temperatures and energy demands needed to carry out their operations, which cannot be met through electrification alone.

Research into the role of hydrogen, and the potential for blending solutions in the gas network, is a key part of providing the evidence to drive forward the UK’s net zero ambitions and reaching national targets of generating 10GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030.

The study will collect qualitative and quantitative data to establish the market’s current level of understanding around hydrogen refuelling plans and users’ preferred means of decarbonisation, such as carbon capture, usage and storage solutions or a hydrogen network.

The research will also geographically map users and help WWU understand which customers will need additional support to ensure that the transition to hydrogen blending does not impact their operations.

Matthew Hindle, head of net zero and sustainability at Wales and West Utilities, said: “The energy system transition means changes for everyone who uses energy – including industrial and commercial businesses of all sizes, many of whom rely on the gas network today and could use hydrogen in the future.

“At WWU, we’re committed to doing all we can to improve understanding and help our customers across Wales and the south west of England implement sustainable transition plans.”

Costain is already supporting WWU’s decarbonisation activity through work including a separate study exploring how hydrogen refuelling stations can be integrated into the UK’s existing gas network.

Laura Hughes, energy sector director at Costain, commented: “With our long track record of delivering pioneering and innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions, we are well placed to provide to WWU with the insights they need to implement viable fuel switching plans for their customers.”