Hi energy innovation enthusiasts! 🌿⚡
Last week was a bumper ride of project closures, on-the-ground exploration, and lively Gaelic sun flair — all centred around green hydrogen. Let me take you for a quick spin through the week, where history and technology met in a surprising, flamed-out climax.
🎥 1. Electrolyser Horizons: Reshaping Hydrogen Strategy Across the UK
The week began with the closeout meeting for the Electrolyser Horizons project, hosted at the impressive Fife Renewables Innovation Centre. A great venue — but sunlit seas and the anglers outside made it clear that this wasn’t your average office environment! Thanks, Anna Morris and Cameron Mitchell, for hosting us at FRIC.
The project — a collaboration between SGN, University of Surrey, University of St Andrews, University of Strathclyde (PNDC, and the Centre for Energy Policy) — has been focused on creating a national techno-economic evaluation framework for electrolytic hydrogen production.
I’ll be sharing a full summary soon — but the key takeaway for now: proper infrastructure planning + local knowledge = a cleaner, scalable future.
🚨 2. H100 Fife: A Hydrogen Powerhouse in Plain Sight
Just hours later, we got a front-row seat to the H100 Fife site — a world-first hydrogen gas network delivering zero-carbon heat to 300 homes. The technology includes a hydrogen production facility, offshore wind power, and hydrogen-ready boilers and hobs.
James Carroll and Joshua Ayobami shared fascinating insights into the site’s evolution, from coal mining to an oil rig logistics base and now as a beacon of renewable transition. Their storytelling gave us more than just technical details—they gave context that made the hydrogen fire warm.
🍳 3. Pancakes, Hydrogen Showdown, and Colours of Flame
The highlight? Susan Day flipped a perfectly golden pancake using a hydrogen-powered hob. As she quipped: “No difference here!” — referring to how similar the cooking and heat was to natural gas. A simple but powerful moment.
And here’s a science note: Yes, the hydrogen flame was orange, not invisible. Turns out, imperfections in the fuel and surroundings can change the flame colour. It’s a lesson in both chemistry and communication — hydrogen doesn’t always behave as textbook diagrams say it does, and our expectations should evolve with each demo.
🤝 4. Reconnection at All-Energy — Timing Truly is Everything
And just like that, the week ended with a welcome reunion. I had the chance to reconnect with Johana Duran Santos, a key collaborator at all stages of the project.
We missed you in the closeout meeting, Johana — but better late than never!
🌞 Final Thoughts
The week was a vivid reminder that hydrogen is more than a fuel — it’s a bridge between past, present, and future. In Fife, you can almost feel the history in the air. And if we learned anything from Susan’s pancake demo, it’s that hydrogen is not only ready for real-world use — it’s ready for the kitchen too!
Stay tuned for more insights and stories on research, random books, gardening and others. Have a tale of your own where energy and community collide? Please share below.