Energy firms complete UK’s first ‘hydrogen blending’ trial to power grid
Energy companies have injected green hydrogen into Britain’s gas grid and used the low-carbon gas to generate electricity, in a landmark development for the UK’s climate ambitions.For the first time in the UK, a 2% blend of green hydrogen was injected into the gas grid and blended with traditional gas to fuel the Brigg power station in North Lincolnshire which generated electricity for the power system.Blending hydrogen into the gas system has already taken place in controlled environments using decommissioned sections of the transmission system, but the first “real-life” test in the UK was carried out by British Gas’s parent company, Centrica, and National Gas, which owns Britain’s gas transmission system.The companies believe the test’s success shows the potential for hydrogen, which does not produce any carbon dioxide when burned, to cut harmful emissions from areas of the economy where other low-carbon options might not be available.Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water using electricity from renewable energy sources, with minimal emissions.
It is seen as key to decarbonising energy-intensive industries – although there is fierce debate over its use, with claims that heat pumps powered by electricity are much more efficient,Gary Smith, the general secretary of the GMB union, said: “The success of this trial is a significant moment for our country’s energy future,It highlights the vital role that innovation across our industrial heartlands can play in creating highly skilled unionised jobs in working-class communities, an essential part of any credible plan to meet our net zero obligations,”Centrica and National Gas are urging the government to back the use of hydrogen blends of up to 5% in the UK’s gas system,Jon Butterworth, the chief executive of National Gas, said: “It’s another crucial milestone on Britain’s hydrogen journey, showing how blending can fuel our power stations and unlock new investment opportunities for producers.
Sign up to Business TodayGet set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morningafter newsletter promotion“By using our existing National Gas infrastructure, pipes that have reliably served Britain for decades, we can power the next era of clean British energy and industry,Working with industry and government, we’re proud to be leading this effort to make hydrogen a cornerstone of our energy system,”
Using a swearword in your Google search can stop the AI answer. But should you?
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Google faces enforced changes to its UK search business after the competition watchdog conferred a special status on the company that puts it under tighter regulation.The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) confirmed that Google has “strategic market status” (SMS) in search and search advertising, a term that means the company has such market power that it requires a special regulatory regime.The watchdog now has the power under new digital laws to order changes to how Google operates in those areas. Friday’s announcement is the first time it has designated a tech firm with SMS.It has already flagged a number of potential changes including giving internet users an option to choose a different search service via “choice screens”
Explain it to me quickly: why are runners and riders freaking out about a feud between Strava and Garmin?
Josh, there’s a lot of commentary online from runners and cyclists over Strava suing Garmin. I am a runner, but I must confess I run to get away from the world – not participate in more online discourse. What’s it all about?The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more
US regulators launch investigation into self-driving Teslas after series of crashes
US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with its full self-driving (FSD) technology over traffic-safety violations after a series of crashes.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the electric carmaker’s FSD assistance system, which requires drivers to pay attention and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.The preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA is the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if it believes they pose a risk to safety.The agency said it had received reports of Teslas driving through red traffic lights and driving against the proper direction of travel during a lane change while in FSD mode, which is available in 2.88m vehicles
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