'Huge potential' for hydrogen economy investment in the Highlands; Highland Council talks with Hydrogen Accelerator group aim to pave way for longer-term plan of action
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THE potential of the emerging hydrogen economy in the Highlands has come under the spotlight of the local authority.
Highland Council is looking at the role it could play in making the most of "hydrogen opportunities" across the region.
The hydrogen economy relates to the use of hydrogen as a fuel for heat, hydrogen vehicles, seasonal energy storage, and the long distance transport of energy.
Although significant challenges remain, it is seen as a way of helping to phase out fossil fuels and limit global warming.
The leader of Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson, met with representatives from Scottish Power to focus on hydrogen generation and this was followed by a meeting, arranged with officers from across council services, that included a presentation by Fiona Landy from the Hydrogen Accelerator.
The Hydrogen Accelerator aims to facilitate the realisation of Scotland’s hydrogen future by bringing together, public bodies, industry, research organisations, and higher and further education institutions.
The talks focused on the critical issue of demand. Demand, at a regional level, will give confidence to producers that there is a viable market and will result in inward investment.
Cllr Margaret Davidson said: “Highland Council has an important facilitation and enabling role to play in respect of hydrogen going forward. There is huge investment potential if we get the basics right. There are also clear opportunities for our planning service and the decarbonisation of our fleet to deliver cost effectiveness and a healthier affordable future.”
Highland Council is a partner in the Hydrogen Utilisation and Green Energy (HUGE) project which began in June 2019. HUGE's ambition is to raise awareness of the use of green hydrogen as a viable energy source, especially for remote and rural communities in housing, transport and industry.
The HUGE partnership is led by Environment Research Institute, North College UHI and includes a wide range of partners across the NPA region in research, industry and public bodies. Other partners include Action Renewables (Northern Ireland); Aran Islands Energy Co-op (Ireland); NUI Galway (Ireland); Lappeenranta University of Technology (Finland); University of Faroe Islands (Faroe Islands); Icelandic New Energy (Iceland).
The next step will be to set up a working group within the council to lead on the development of a mission statement and a plan to take things forward with support offered from Fiona Landy.
