Find out how Hynamics is working with Sizewell C to provide fuel for a hydrogen bus fleet for the nuclear plant’s workforce and decarbonise the construction industry.
New nuclear will help support low-carbon energy security in the UK and meet our net zero commitments.
But there are also opportunities for decarbonisation during the construction phase of projects such as Sizewell C, the 3.2GW nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast.
EDF Energy’s research and development division had been investigating low-carbon hydrogen production for more than 20 years. The result is Hynamics – EDF Group’s hydrogen subsidiary. The low-carbon hydrogen development business uses electrolysis, which does not incur fossil fuel CO2 emissions.
“What we’re offering is a turnkey solution in terms of developing hydrogen projects,” said Kerry Mullen, business development manager at Hynamics.
“We engage potential off-takers and educate them on what it means to transition to renewable or low-carbon hydrogen. We are there end-to-end. We want to build people’s confidence in the use of hydrogen.”
In 2019, Hynamics was incorporated in France before launching in Germany and finally establishing itself in the UK in 2021. Some of the company’s projects are supported by the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF), which aims to enable the commercial deployment of new low-carbon hydrogen production projects during the 2020s.
“Being part of EDF Group is especially valuable because we benefit from the experience of a major industrial key player in the energy transition and identified as the producer of low-carbon electricity,” said Kerry.
“The largest cost associated with hydrogen production is the electricity required to power the electrolyser. We can either directly connect to product assets, or opt for power purchase agreements from the nuclear or renewables assets.”
Hynamics is one of the few hydrogen developers in the UK with established operational experience in this field.
“The engineers who develop, operate and maintain assets in France are also working on our current UK projects,” said Kerry.
Hynamics is working to help industries transition away from using grey hydrogen – which produces approximately 10 kilograms of CO2 per kilogram of hydrogen – towards using low-carbon hydrogen. It is collaborating with local councils, logistics companies, the supply and the energy industry, among others, to help decarbonise industrial processes.
“Our reason for being is to abate as much CO2 as possible,” Kerry said.
Hynamics is also supporting the decarbonisation of transportation including buses, heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and trains. It has its own efuels division and also has ambitions to transition maritime and aviation towards low-carbon practices.
“We’re looking at methanol as fuel for maritime shipping,” said Kerry. “We’re trying to decarbonise carbon-intensive activities such as shipping and aviation with sustainable fuel projects.”
Hynamics will also build an electrolyser to produce hydrogen in the East of England to supply fuel for Sizewell C’s hydrogen refueling stations for buses that will transport workers to the site. CAPEX funding has been secured for this via Strand 2 of the NZHF.
“Sizewell C has just entered its construction phase, so we are actively moving forward with exciting projects including this low carbon bus fleet,” said Jack Raven, Sizewell C regional development project manager.
“We will need up to 150 of these hydrogen buses on-site, which will be one of the largest fleets of its kind in the UK.
The procurement of buses has begun with four to arrive in the summer. The construction of the electrolyser is expected to be completed in 2026.
Jack stressed the importance of locally supplied renewable hydrogen for off-takers like Sizewell C.
“There needs to be a demand and uptake of hydrogen in the market for hydrogen projects to be built and therefore replace fossil fuel usage.”
Sizewell C aims to be a big market changer in the hydrogen space.
“We hope to create local demand in Suffolk, which can then be built upon by the wider community, including local councils and private companies,” said Jack.
“Projects like this accelerate carbon reduction in the energy industry, helping the UK to meet net zero commitments by 2050.
“It won’t happen naturally,” he added. “It needs to be a conscious decision to switch to different fuel sources.”
For more information, visit hynamics.com
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