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      06-16-2021, 08:52 AM   #12
msej449
msej449
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Here in the UK, over 75% of homes and domestic water is heated by gas. Even in the middle of summer I heat the water with gas as this keeps the boiler and pumps serviceable, and only needs to run for 15 mins each morning and evening to supply all the hot water for the family. A typical natural gas boiler is about 30" x 10" x 20" (and some are much smaller). Most places have now got relatively new gas distribution piping. Every so often, someone does something stupid and there's a gas explosion that kills a couple of people, but fewer people die from gas explosions than from electrocution each year (by a long way). Everyone is used to the odd accident.

Two towns are currently test-beds for replacing gas with hydrogen boilers, as the safety spec' for the distribution network of pipes, storage etc. is no different, apparently. All that needs replacing is the gas boiler: most of the existing distribution piping network remains in place. As does the existing wet heating radiator and hot water system in the home.

It helps that about 40 years ago, we switched from coal gas to natural gas, and this is within the memory of many people around today. This involved decommissioning of a load of infrastructure and from-scratch an all new replacement distribution network. So the idea of a natural to hydrogen switch just involving a domestic boiler replacement is no big deal by comparison.

The upside if all this is viable will be that homeowners with parking would be able to re-charge their car form their domestic H supply. Which would make it more competitive to electricity. For many people the decision will be a cost/benefit one, independent of whether H has better environmental credentials. On current estimates, H-based vehicles look viable and competitive in the UK, but that may only be because the cost of the distribution system will be written-off by a move to domestic hydrogen heating anyway. A lot will then depend on the basic cost of the powertrain technology of hydrogen vs electricity.

It'll be interesting to see if and how this progresses. Obviously, in countries without a tradition of gas domestic heating, the challenges to the viability of hydrogen-based transportation will be greater.
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Last edited by msej449; 06-16-2021 at 09:08 AM..
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