Rural communities often face unique challenges: their heating systems are harder to decarbonise, they are more exposed to the impacts of climate change and they are more likely to include worst-served customers (WSCs). SHARED will investigate whether low-cost hydrogen production and storage can offer a practical way to strengthen resilience, while also identifying the specific needs of rural communities.
What is the project about?
During the Discovery phase, SHARED will identify and map communities that could benefit from the solution, defining their needs for agreed scenarios to inform subsequent optioneering exercises. A stakeholder engagement plan will be developed to guide targeted interactions with consumers most at risk, as well as with government, regulators and industry partners. At the same time, the technological partner will assess relevant constraints and explore how the proposed technology could operate within them.
How we’re doing it
Currently, network resilience relies on portable battery backups and diesel generators. While batteries are expensive, diesel generators can deliver large amounts of power but are noisy and require regular refuelling. Low-cost hydrogen generation and storage offers an alternative way to enhance network resilience, reducing Customer Interruptions and Customer Minutes Lost. Its affordability could enable deployment in small rural communities, and potentially even individual homes, minimising the impact of power interruptions for residents in these areas.
What makes it innovative
SHARED will identify those most at risk of interruptions and how smart hydrogen solutions could benefit these communities or individuals, considering vulnerable populations.
Share your ideas
If you have an idea that could reshape or revolutionise the way we work, we want to hear from you.
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