The government has been challenged to ensure all gas boilers are hydrogen compliant by 2025.
The call is part of a five-point plan to stimulate the hydrogen sector outlined in a new report marking the launch of the Hydrogen Taskforce.
The report also calls for the gas safety management regulations (GSMR) to be amended so that hydrogen can be blended into the UK gas grid.
And it says there should be continued support for public trials of hydrogen injections into the gas grid, like the Hy-Deploy project – the first phase of which is currently taking place in Keele.
Speaking at a House of Commons launch for the taskforce, Clare Jackson, co-chair of the Hydrogen Taskforce Secretariat, said: “We need over the next five years to prioritise public trials of 100 per cent hydrogen heating so we can get to the point where we can mandate that all new gas boilers installations post 2025 should be hydrogen ready, while pushing forward with Hy Deploy and amending the GSMR so we can create a market for hydrogen within the gas grid.”
Other steps in the plan include urging the government to commit £1 billion over the next three-year spending review period, which is due to kick off in 2021, to hydrogen production, storage and distribution projects.
It also says there should be collaboration to establish 100 hydrogen refuelling stations by 2025 to support the rollout of hydrogen transport.
The taskforce wants Whitehall to help develop financial support for the production of hydrogen for blending into the gas grid, industrial use, power generation and transport.
This support would put the industry in a “position where we are able to deliver that low-cost hydrogen that you need for large-scale decarbonisation”, said Jackson
The call for the mandating of hydrogen-ready boilers was backed by Jeff House, head of external affairs for boiler manufacturer Baxi Heating.
He said: “The installation of ‘hydrogen ready’ boilers could begin long before 100 per cent hydrogen is available within a locality by utilising the existing natural gas network. Once hydrogen is available, the hydrogen ready boilers can be simply and easily converted to hydrogen without the need for a new heating system.”
The taskforce comprises ten companies: Arup, Baxi, BOC, BNP Paribas and Arval, BP, Cadent, DBD, ITM Power, Shell and Storengy.