Trump development could be opportunity for hydrogen heating

The potential to heat Donald Trump’s newly approved housing estate in Aberdeenshire with 100% hydrogen was discussed at an energy sector conference yesterday.

Gas distribution firm SGN was speaking at the hydrogen seminar at the DoubleTree by Hilton, outlining its “vision” to heat some homes in the northeast completely using hydrogen. Working with partners, the firm plans to build a pipeline from the St Fergus gas terminal to Aberdeen, to gradually input a “blend” of hydrogen to the network, stopping at 20%, which is the capacity for current boilers.

But it would also be sized to “pick off the odd new housing site for 100% hydrogen” with the hope it can later convert the city’s entire distribution system.

Colin Pike, chairman of its sustainability committee, highlighted that the local authority last week approved Trump’s 500-home plan at the Menie Estate and its potential for this project.

He asked: “Many will know that Aberdeenshire Council just last week gave permission to the Trump organisation at Menie to build 500 new homes.

“Would that be a situation where we could look at innovation and technology, with a brand new housing scheme we could put hydrogen in place?”

Angus McIntosh, director of energy futures at SGN, replied: “Yes, in essence”, adding the scheme would be opened up to new developments once the infrastructure was in place.

The work will depend on progress of scaling up the carbon capture and storage project at St Fergus, run by SGN’s partner Pale Blue Dot, which would process the hydrogen, along with factors such as the success of a testing project taking place elsewhere in 2022.

An artist’s impression of Trump development homes