Relevant industrial contacts have been invaluable for their input into this project. We are very grateful for their knowledge and time. Here are the thoughts of these industrial inputs with their view of the content of this work.
Neil Kermode
Managing Director 
David Hogg
Technical Manager |
Chris Parcell
Director of Feasibility and Development 
Jack Barrie
Schmidt-MacArthur Fellow and Circular Economy PhD Student |
David Hogg
Technical Manager at Bright Green Hydrogen
David is the technical lead on the Levenmouth Community Energy Project. He received the Young Professionals in Renewable Energy Innovation Award in 2016 for the work on the project. He has worked with BGH for 6 years following a MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering from Heriot Watt University.
Overall opinion of the project?
''This was a very interesting project with some good results. It is on a scale that very few people have investigated but that should prove very relevant in the years to come.''
What specific features did you like the most about this project?
''The economic analysis presented in the project is compelling. It suggests that the economic viability of these systems, particularly when a whole energy system approach is taken, is not too far out of sight.''
What are the benefits of this project?
''This work could start other work in the area of larger scale hydrogen systems.''
What are the limitations of this project?
''The system model makes some assumptions, i.e. no parasitic loads, that differ significantly from a real-world scenario.''
Was the presentation clear?
''The presentation was very clear with good slides.''
Do you see this project as being applicable to the future market?
''I think, if extended with added detail, this project could form the basis of a model for a future energy system that would help to address the energy trilemma.''
Technical Manager at Bright Green Hydrogen
David is the technical lead on the Levenmouth Community Energy Project. He received the Young Professionals in Renewable Energy Innovation Award in 2016 for the work on the project. He has worked with BGH for 6 years following a MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering from Heriot Watt University.
Overall opinion of the project?
''This was a very interesting project with some good results. It is on a scale that very few people have investigated but that should prove very relevant in the years to come.''
What specific features did you like the most about this project?
''The economic analysis presented in the project is compelling. It suggests that the economic viability of these systems, particularly when a whole energy system approach is taken, is not too far out of sight.''
What are the benefits of this project?
''This work could start other work in the area of larger scale hydrogen systems.''
What are the limitations of this project?
''The system model makes some assumptions, i.e. no parasitic loads, that differ significantly from a real-world scenario.''
Was the presentation clear?
''The presentation was very clear with good slides.''
Do you see this project as being applicable to the future market?
''I think, if extended with added detail, this project could form the basis of a model for a future energy system that would help to address the energy trilemma.''
Jack Barrie
Schmidt-MacArthur Fellow and PhD Student on the Circular Economy
Overall opinion of the project?
''Very interesting project that seeks to alleviate the limitations of hydrogen as a fuel by designing a system for duel use.''
What specific features did you like the most about this project?
''Both the viability for hydrogen storage for the grid and transport were assessed separately and then combined and reassessed to determine the viability. The economic model was also innovative.''
What are the benefits of this project?
''The project outlines, at a high level, the technical feasibility of the solution, but highlights that when benchmarked against the economics, it doesn’t stack up.''
What are the limitations of this project?
''It requires a horizontal assessment against other competing storage technologies such as batteries.''
Was the presentation clear?
''Yes it was clear although statements should remain grounded in facts and and assumptions made clear with sources.''
Do you see this project as being applicable to the future market?
''Perhaps depending on market forces and technological progress. However, it certainly warrants further investigation and this project offers and ideal basis with which to start.''
Schmidt-MacArthur Fellow and PhD Student on the Circular Economy
Overall opinion of the project?
''Very interesting project that seeks to alleviate the limitations of hydrogen as a fuel by designing a system for duel use.''
What specific features did you like the most about this project?
''Both the viability for hydrogen storage for the grid and transport were assessed separately and then combined and reassessed to determine the viability. The economic model was also innovative.''
What are the benefits of this project?
''The project outlines, at a high level, the technical feasibility of the solution, but highlights that when benchmarked against the economics, it doesn’t stack up.''
What are the limitations of this project?
''It requires a horizontal assessment against other competing storage technologies such as batteries.''
Was the presentation clear?
''Yes it was clear although statements should remain grounded in facts and and assumptions made clear with sources.''
Do you see this project as being applicable to the future market?
''Perhaps depending on market forces and technological progress. However, it certainly warrants further investigation and this project offers and ideal basis with which to start.''
Chris Parcell
Director of Feasibility & Development at SgurrEnergy
Chris is leading feasibility studies, project development and technical due diligence for renewable energy and energy storage projects, including some of the highest value UK and international solar PV, onshore wind and biomass project financing, acquisitions and refinancing transactions.
Overall opinion of the project?
''The ideas in the project resonate with current developments in energy storage, electricity market reform and measures to decarbonise road transport. These are challenging subjects which the team have got to grips with, managed to develop some potential solutions and present their findings concisely.''
What specific features did you like the most about this project?
''The business cases have been tested for both hydrogen as a transport fuel, and using stored hydrogen in a fuel cell to generate revenue from STOR, but the most innovative aspect of this project was to investigate how the economics could be improved by combining the two.''
What are the benefits of this project?
''The team investigated the potential for producing hydrogen for two end uses, one to generate electricity in a fuel cell and the other for transport fuel. As a means of storing energy, the low round trip ‘wire-to-wire’ efficiency will always be an issue, but by combining the production of higher value transport fuel with electrical energy storage offers the potential for diverse revenue streams and potentially a means of improving the economics of a hydrogen fuel station which is not fully utilised prior to widespread hydrogen vehicle use.''
What are the limitations of this project?
''The team covered a broad scope within the time available for the project. With more time it would be possible to investigate alternative revenue streams from ancillary services, forecasting of future hydrogen pricing and looking at options for making a direct connection between hydrogen fuel production and curtailed renewable energy generators.''
Was the presentation clear?
''The team clearly articulated the ideas behind the project and covered the key points that demonstrated a broad understanding of the electricity market, the potential for hydrogen as both energy storage and transport fuel.''
Do you see this project as being applicable to the future market?
''The scenarios developed in this project offer some alternatives to the energy storage and hydrogen trial projects currently being developed. The main barrier to implementation is perhaps competition from batteries for both energy storage and electric vehicles (EV). The most attractive revenue stream identified in the project is the value of hydrogen as a transport fuel. However, electric vehicles are being commercialised faster than hydrogen vehicles and manufacturers are likely to need to focus on one or the other. Hydrogen as a transport fuel has the advantage of offering faster refuelling, but EVs could succeed in the immediate future because the infrastructure to recharge them is already available in many locations.''
Director of Feasibility & Development at SgurrEnergy
Chris is leading feasibility studies, project development and technical due diligence for renewable energy and energy storage projects, including some of the highest value UK and international solar PV, onshore wind and biomass project financing, acquisitions and refinancing transactions.
Overall opinion of the project?
''The ideas in the project resonate with current developments in energy storage, electricity market reform and measures to decarbonise road transport. These are challenging subjects which the team have got to grips with, managed to develop some potential solutions and present their findings concisely.''
What specific features did you like the most about this project?
''The business cases have been tested for both hydrogen as a transport fuel, and using stored hydrogen in a fuel cell to generate revenue from STOR, but the most innovative aspect of this project was to investigate how the economics could be improved by combining the two.''
What are the benefits of this project?
''The team investigated the potential for producing hydrogen for two end uses, one to generate electricity in a fuel cell and the other for transport fuel. As a means of storing energy, the low round trip ‘wire-to-wire’ efficiency will always be an issue, but by combining the production of higher value transport fuel with electrical energy storage offers the potential for diverse revenue streams and potentially a means of improving the economics of a hydrogen fuel station which is not fully utilised prior to widespread hydrogen vehicle use.''
What are the limitations of this project?
''The team covered a broad scope within the time available for the project. With more time it would be possible to investigate alternative revenue streams from ancillary services, forecasting of future hydrogen pricing and looking at options for making a direct connection between hydrogen fuel production and curtailed renewable energy generators.''
Was the presentation clear?
''The team clearly articulated the ideas behind the project and covered the key points that demonstrated a broad understanding of the electricity market, the potential for hydrogen as both energy storage and transport fuel.''
Do you see this project as being applicable to the future market?
''The scenarios developed in this project offer some alternatives to the energy storage and hydrogen trial projects currently being developed. The main barrier to implementation is perhaps competition from batteries for both energy storage and electric vehicles (EV). The most attractive revenue stream identified in the project is the value of hydrogen as a transport fuel. However, electric vehicles are being commercialised faster than hydrogen vehicles and manufacturers are likely to need to focus on one or the other. Hydrogen as a transport fuel has the advantage of offering faster refuelling, but EVs could succeed in the immediate future because the infrastructure to recharge them is already available in many locations.''
Neil Kermode
Managing Director at European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)
Overall opinion of the project?
''Interesting project that looks at some different aspects of the use of hydrogen.''
What specific features did you like the most about this project?
''The STOR market had been considered as a high-value option rather than just bulk generation. Good lateral thinking about the carbon impact of filling stations rather than just stating it as the vehicles that use them.''
What are the benefits of this project?
''Explores options around hydrogen and opened up some lines of discussion that are not in the current conversation. Also kept well grounded on WHY this is important on a planetary level.''
What are the limitations of this project?
''Some assumptions need to be superficial in the time available. But overall were well done.''
Was the presentation clear?
''Yes. Good team dynamic. Some minor presentational points suggested.''
Do you see this project as being applicable to the future market?
''Possibly. It shows it is not market ready, but I believe the market will move towards this project. Needs to be kept under review.''
Managing Director at European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)
Overall opinion of the project?
''Interesting project that looks at some different aspects of the use of hydrogen.''
What specific features did you like the most about this project?
''The STOR market had been considered as a high-value option rather than just bulk generation. Good lateral thinking about the carbon impact of filling stations rather than just stating it as the vehicles that use them.''
What are the benefits of this project?
''Explores options around hydrogen and opened up some lines of discussion that are not in the current conversation. Also kept well grounded on WHY this is important on a planetary level.''
What are the limitations of this project?
''Some assumptions need to be superficial in the time available. But overall were well done.''
Was the presentation clear?
''Yes. Good team dynamic. Some minor presentational points suggested.''
Do you see this project as being applicable to the future market?
''Possibly. It shows it is not market ready, but I believe the market will move towards this project. Needs to be kept under review.''
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank our project supervisor Prof Joseph Clarke who guided us throughout the semester.
We would also like to express our gratitude to our MSc Course Director Dr Paul Tuohy who supported us not only with regards to the group project.
Additionally, we would like to thank all other academics and university staff that helped us during the project, and gave us constructive criticism to improve our work. These include: Dr Daniel Costola, Dr Andy Grant, Dr Nick Kelly, Dr Tahsin Tezdogan and John Redgate.
We would also like to express our gratitude to our MSc Course Director Dr Paul Tuohy who supported us not only with regards to the group project.
Additionally, we would like to thank all other academics and university staff that helped us during the project, and gave us constructive criticism to improve our work. These include: Dr Daniel Costola, Dr Andy Grant, Dr Nick Kelly, Dr Tahsin Tezdogan and John Redgate.
