The first 100% hydrogen homes will soon be completed at the Northern Gas Networks (NGN) site in Low Thornley, near Gateshead in northern England. The innovative semi-detached properties will demonstrate the use of appliances as well as heating and cooking systems powered entirely by hydrogen. For the installation of hydrogen meters NGN is partnering with smart meter company MeteRSit. The SIT Group company is developing the intelligent meters that guarantee safety and the precise measurement of hydrogen flows as part of the British government’s Hy4Heat programme. The houses will also contain Worcester Bosch boilers that use hydrogen power safety valves created by SIT.
According to NGN the appliances in the houses will be rotated so that different manufacturers will be able to showcase their innovations and seek feedback from users. In addition to hydrogen boilers developed by Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch, prototypes of fires, cookers and hobs are also available from partners working on Hy4Heat projects.
The houses will be made available for group visits from schools, colleges and universities with the aim of educating children and young adults about the energy requirements of houses and how these will be met in the future.
The project is the result of a partnership between the UK’s gas distribution networks NGN and Cadent along with the Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It was funded with £250,000 from the BEIS Hy4Heat competition, which aims to determine whether it is technically feasible, safe and efficient to use hydrogen to heat homes and commercial buildings.
For more information, please visit: MeteRSit
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