Greater Brighton | Hydrogen

Brighton

The strategy aims to help the region to decarbonise energy, improve resilience, support and promote a hydrogen economy and attract investment to the area. The focus of the strategy is on ‘green’ hydrogen, produced by electrolysis with renewable electricity. The overarching objectives are to:
1. Encourage and support development of a strong hydrogen sector in the Greater Brighton and wider Sussex region.
The investment proposition will give a clear focus for the priorities for action next 5 years and the pathway to scale up ambition into the future. It will establish a place-based perspective, help key stakeholders understand the opportunities in the region, and prepare the ground for significant funding applications.

Greater Brighton and the wider Sussex area has opportunity to become a leader in the hydrogen economy thanks to access to:
• Key infrastructure including Gatwick airport, Newhaven Port and Shoreham Port
• Engineering leadership with private companies innovating in the hydrogen field
• Research excellence of two universities supporting research and innovation
• Environmentally passionate citizens with forward thinking local authorities
Progress towards a local hydrogen economy has begun. For example: a multi-megawatt hydrogen production electrolysis plant has been announced at Shoreham Port; Brighton & Hove buses are due to receive fuel cell buses; Michelmersh bricks have assessed the feasibility of replacing natural gas with hydrogen in the brick making process; multiple companies are innovating with hydrogen technology as their core proposition.
The heart of this strategy is based on engagement with numerous stakeholders that built an understanding of the landscape as it is now, what is in the way of the development of a hydrogen economy and what Hydrogen Sussex and its members can do to support it to drive economic growth.
This report presents the landscape for hydrogen, focussing on the region, discussion of stakeholder engagement, regional analysis, initial hydrogen strategy including a roadmap and short-term action plan and with it, outlining the role of Hydrogen Sussex.
3. ANALYSIS OF THE REGION 3.1 GEOGRAPHY
For green (low carbon) hydrogen production, location is an important factor. Access to strong renewable energy resource keeps power generation costs lower, which is the key cost component when producing green hydrogen. Solar and wind resource for the region is good but is stronger in other parts of the UK.
The offshore wind farm Rampion is large enough to be considered nationally significant infrastructure. There is a second development for this wind farm planned for 2025-6, which will connect into Bolney substation as per the existing wind farm. The GBEB energy plan suggested that an electrolyser could be sited there, although
  2. Secure broad economic benefit from public sector and private sector support for development of regional hydrogen production and use.

Offshore Wind and Hydrogen