The Scottish Government has chosen engineering consultancy Arup to undertake an assessment of the potential to use hydrogen within the country’s energy system.
Scottish Government, working alongside Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, has outlined plans to assess the future use of hydrogen in the Scottish economy and develop a hydrogen action plan and hydrogen policy statement.
The gas, which can be decarbonised and also generated using clean electricity sources, such as wind, can potentially help Scotland achieve net-zero energy by 2045.
Arup, and project partner E4tech, will carry out an assessment of Scotland’s “strengths, assets and factors” that will “shape hydrogen development” across the country.
They will also explore scenarios for how hydrogen might develop in Scotland to help achieve net zero emissions targets. The in-depth assessment will also establish the potential economic impacts and benefits that investment in the hydrogen sector could unlock.
The initial report and assessment will be finalised on behalf of the consortium for publication later in 2020.
The assessment outcomes will be used to help inform the country’s upcoming hydrogen policy statement and action plan as well as help the Scottish Government and its agencies to set the policy agenda for hydrogen over the next few decades.
Arup Scotland energy leader Clare Lavelle said: “Hydrogen can bring many benefits as a low carbon energy source – we’re committed to supporting the Scottish Government in exploring how it could potentially help to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.
“Scotland’s natural resources, existing industrial skills and ambitious carbon reduction targets will be key to unlocking the true benefits that the hydrogen economy can bring.”