United Kingdom Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (UK-SHEC) CORE PROGRAMME

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bath
Department Name: Chemical Engineering

Abstract

The United Kingdom Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (UK-SHEC), established in 2003 as part of the EPSRC SUPERGEN initiative, is a multi-partner, interdisciplinary, collaborative activity funded that aims, via fundamental and applied research in the sciences, engineering and socio-economics, to acquire knowledge and understanding of and to guide and inform the use and integration of sustainable hydrogen energy systems, nationally and internationally, and in partnership with industry, commerce and policymakers.UK-SHEC wishes to continue to develop UK-SHEC as a unique point of research, reference, expertise and training both within the UK and beyond by targeting many of the forefront, fundamental multidisciplinary research challenges in the production, storage and utilization of hydrogen energy. The research priorities identified in this proposal have the potential to create a step change in both storage technologies and sustainable methods of hydrogen generation. Furthermore, we will also study the feasibility and acceptability of sustainable hydrogen energy through a range of key socio / economic projects.The proposal is divided into two, linked elements, CORE and PLUS, as required by the EPSRC. The CORE element seeks renewal of baseline funding. The PLUS element seeks funding of additional workpackages that expand the scope and depth of existing activities and includes new partners and work that enhance and develop the CORE element. Both the CORE and PLUS elements are organised using an enhanced thematic approach covering sustainable hydrogen generation (Theme 1), storage in both chemical hydride and porous materials/inorganic systems (Themes 2), integrated systems which aim to link hydrogen production, storage and utilization (Theme 3), and finally socio-economics, especially aspects of demand and sustainability (Theme 4).The CORE element comprises workpackages, derived from, extending and further linking activities initiated in the original UK-SHEC proposal, and involving all original Consortium partners. Proposed research in the sciences and engineering includes scale-up of hydrogen production via biomass fermentation, the modification of surface chemistry and pore structure in nanomaterials and optimization of known and the search for new hydrogen storage materials. The science and engineering research in the PLUS element includes new groups working on massive-scale hydrogen production via thermochemical routes, and on developments in hydrogen fuel cells. In addition, key research in socio-economics in both CORE and PLUS, the latter involving unique collaboration amongst all four SUPERGEN consortia seeking renewal, will, amongst other areas, focus on aspects of hydrogen technology appraisal, for example establishing criteria to compare differing storage methods. This will necessarily involve close collaboration with science and engineering partners in the Consortium.Significant administrative support will be essential to ensure smooth and effective operation of the Consortium's wide-ranging activities. Accordingly, the management structure of UK-SHEC has been enhanced to include the introduction of Theme Leaders who together with the Management and Operations Directors will make up the Management Committee. This will monitor, guide and develop Consortium activities and strategy. A new Steering Committee comprising the Management Committee, all Consortium investigators and external members (including an independent Chair) will receive reports from, ratify decisions of and agree on actions to be implemented by the Management Committee. An Advisory Group comprising a pool of industrial, commercial and other key stakeholders will be invited to comment and advise on Consortium activities and strategy.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Both phases of the UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (Phase 1 2003-7, Phase 2, 2007-12) comprised, four-year multi-partner, multi-disciplinary projects that aimed to establish, for the first time in the UK, a broad-based programme of research on hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier in key areas such as low-carbon transport and the storage of intermittent renewable electricity. UK-SHEC delivered significantly on a number of fronts. First, the Consortium established new and sustained research collaborations, including between scientists and economists. Second, UK-SHEC was actively engaged in knowledge sharing and outreach with industry, policy and decision makers, and the public. Third the Consortium provided many career development opportunities for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and academic staff working in hydrogen energy. Fourth, the national and international profiles of UK research in hydrogen energy were enhanced as a result of a large number of significant outcomes in the form of books, research papers, and of the organisation of conferences. Fifth, UK-SHEC funding led directly to improved laboratory facilities at partner institutions for hydrogen energy research. Finally, UK-SHEC made important contributions to knowledge and understanding especially of solid state hydrogen storage, sustainable hydrogen production, and the socio-economic implications of a transition to future energy technologies using hydrogen. The secure foundations laid down by UK-SHEC led to the establishment of the EPSRC SUPERGEN Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Hub (2012-9) which is effectively the current UK national research programme for hydrogen and fuel cells for sustainable energy systems.
Exploitation Route Research findings from UK-SHEC have been, and appear from citations, spin out activities and other routes to remain, of interest to a wide range of stakeholders in the energy sector including academics, industrialists, policy and decision makers, and the general public, not only in the UK but also internationally. A major result of the Consortium was maintaining visibility of sustainable hydrogen energy as a potentially important and secure technology option as the UK moves to meet its demanding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Sectors Education

Energy

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Transport

URL http://www.h2fcsupergen.com/
 
Description Research findings from UK-SHEC have been, and appear from citations, spin out activities and other routes to remain, of interest to a wide range of stakeholders in the energy sector including academics, industrialists, policy and decision makers, and the general public, not only in the UK but also internationally. A major result of the Consortium was maintaining visibility of sustainable hydrogen energy as a potentially important technology option as the UK moves to meet its demanding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
First Year Of Impact 2007
Sector Education,Energy,Environment,Transport
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

Economic

 
Description BOC-Linde Group
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Funding ID University of Glasgow (2012-2016 Industrial Studentship 
Organisation Linde Group 
Sector Private
Country Global
Start 01/2012 
End 12/2016
 
Description BOC-Linde Group
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Funding ID University of Glasgow (2012-2016 Industrial Studentship 
Organisation Linde Group 
Sector Private
Country Global
Start 01/2012 
End 12/2016
 
Title Dataset for "Direct Evidence for Solid-Like Hydrogen in a Nanoporous Carbon Hydrogen Storage Material at Supercritical Temperatures" 
Description Dataset for Direct Evidence for Solid-Like Hydrogen in a Nanoporous Carbon Hydrogen Storage Material at Supercritical Temperatures journal paper. The data set includes inelastic neutron scattering data raw data files (.dat) collected on the TOSCA instrument at the ISIS neutron facility, at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, UK at the following hydrogen pressures (at 77 K) for activated carbon TE7: 0.016 MPa H2 at 77 K 0.074 MPa H2 at 77 K 0.168 MPa H2 at 77 K 0.300 MPa H2 at 77 K 0.630 MPa H2 at 77 K 0.998 MPa H2 at 77 K 2.071 MPa H2 at 77 K 3.500 MPa H2 at 77 K This data pertains to Figs 1, 2 and 3 in the paper " Direct Evidence for Solid-Like Hydrogen in a Nanoporous Carbon Hydrogen Storage Material at Supercritical Temperatures" (ACS Nano, 2015). The integrated intensities under the peaks were calculated from the raw data over the following ranges: - The total inelastic signal (integrated intensity from 2 to 500 meV). - Integrated intensity under the elastic peak from -2 meV to 2 meV. - Integrated intensity under the 14.7 meV rotor line fit using a Gaussian peak shape The data processing and peak integration was performed using the Mantid software (available from http://www.mantidproject.org). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2015 
Provided To Others? Yes  
 
Title Dataset for "Understanding the AC conductivity and permittivity of trapdoor chabazites for future development of next-generation gas sensors" 
Description Synthetic K+ chabazite (KCHA), Cs+ chabazite (CsCHA) and Zn2+ chabazite (ZnCHA) were synthesized and compared in order to relate the differences in their crystalline structures to their thermal stability (TGA data), moisture content (TGA data) and frequency dependent alternating current (AC) conductivity (AC conductivity heating and cooling data), permittivity (permittivity heating and cooling data) and phase angle (phase angle heating and cooling data) at a range of temperatures. Cation migration activation energies for KCHA (0.66 ± 0.10) eV, CsCHA (0.88 ± 0.01) eV and ZnCHA (0.90 ± 0.01) eV were determined (activation energy data). Good thermal stability of the materials was observed up to 710 °C (TGA data) and below 200 °C the electrical properties were strongly influenced by hydration level (conductivity, permittivity and phase angle data). Overall, it was determined that when either hydrated or dehydrated, KCHA had the highest conductivity and lowest cation migration activation energy of the three studied chabazites (activation energy data). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2017 
Provided To Others? Yes