EURO 2025 Leeds
Abstract Submission

1247. Optimising the role of hydrogen in heat and power systems decarbonisation

Invited abstract in session TC-46: Decarbonizing the industry and heating sectors, stream Energy Economics & Management.

Tuesday, 12:30-14:00
Room: Newlyn 1.07

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Margarita Efthymiadou
Chemical Engineering, University College London
2. Vassilis Charitopoulos
Chemical Engineering, UCL
3. Lazaros Papageorgiou
Chemical Engineering, University College London

Abstract

Burning fossil fuels is the primary driver of rising greenhouse gas concentrations, leading to global warming. To mitigate climate change, urgent action is needed to achieve Net-Zero and explore low-carbon alternatives. The UK was the first major economy to legislate for Net-Zero by 2050, publishing a strategy outlining policies for a decarbonised economy. Decarbonising residential heating is a critical step in meeting carbon targets. This requires phasing out natural gas boilers in favour of low-carbon alternatives, with electrification and hydrogen emerging as the primary solutions. Hydrogen plays a dual role as a direct substitute for natural gas and as an energy carrier for renewables. To explore its potential, a hydrogen-based heat transition was analysed using mathematical optimisation. However, a system-wide perspective is essential to ensure well-informed strategic energy decisions. This work presents a spatially explicit, multi-period spatially-explicit Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model for heat sector decarbonisation. The model jointly optimises hydrogen and electrification pathways for investment and operational decisions. Decomposition and clustering techniques are employed to preserve the quality of the solutions while reducing computational effort. A case study in Great Britain highlights gradual infrastructure investments and hydrogen’s role in heat decarbonisation roadmap through 2050.

Keywords

Status: accepted

Back to the list of papers