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Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub
Published on 29 January 2021
United Kingdom
North Eastern Scotland
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About this good practice
Aberdeen City Council (ACC) seeks to align with national policy in relation to energy transition. Scotland’s climate change legislation sets a target for net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045. The Scottish Government Hydrogen Policy Statement commits to making hydrogen a key element of Scotland’s decarbonisation plans. It supports further research and development of hydrogen for both energy and transport deployment.
ACC, together with Scottish Enterprise (Scotland’s national economic development agency) and Opportunity North East (ONE – responsible for developing Aberdeen City Region economic activities after the oil and gas industry downturn) held a meeting to discuss the Smart HyAware programme and Aberdeen’s hydrogen aspirations. Scottish Enterprise and ONE presented business cases to their Boards which resulted in additional funding towards Smart HyAware. There was agreement between all three organisations to fund a study which looked at the potential of Aberdeen as a ‘Hydrogen Hub’. This study was completed and is now being used as the basis for sharing knowledge on the hydrogen sector.
The main stakeholders of this collaboration have been Scottish Enterprise and ONE. Beneficiaries have included Transport Scotland (transport delivery arm of the Scottish Government), surrounding local authorities, and public and private sector groups to whom we have presented the concept of a hydrogen hub and shared knowledge on the use of hydrogen technology for transport.
ACC, together with Scottish Enterprise (Scotland’s national economic development agency) and Opportunity North East (ONE – responsible for developing Aberdeen City Region economic activities after the oil and gas industry downturn) held a meeting to discuss the Smart HyAware programme and Aberdeen’s hydrogen aspirations. Scottish Enterprise and ONE presented business cases to their Boards which resulted in additional funding towards Smart HyAware. There was agreement between all three organisations to fund a study which looked at the potential of Aberdeen as a ‘Hydrogen Hub’. This study was completed and is now being used as the basis for sharing knowledge on the hydrogen sector.
The main stakeholders of this collaboration have been Scottish Enterprise and ONE. Beneficiaries have included Transport Scotland (transport delivery arm of the Scottish Government), surrounding local authorities, and public and private sector groups to whom we have presented the concept of a hydrogen hub and shared knowledge on the use of hydrogen technology for transport.
Resources needed
A tender was issued on Public Contracts Scotland to determine the most appropriate consultant. Element Energy was awarded the tender. Following on from the Study, there have been continuous weekly virtual meetings between ACC, Scottish Enterprise and ONE to discuss how to progress the Study results.
Evidence of success
The practice demonstrates the involvement of local, national and private sector bodies working together towards the development of hydrogen technology. Findings from the Study were presented to Scottish Government and they have nominally awarded £15m to develop Aberdeen as a Hydrogen Hub as part of Scotland’s Energy Transition. In addition, this study has resulted in ACC leading a Fleet Review exploring hydrogen demand in North East Scotland with 12 public and private sector organisations.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub is a good practice that has the potential to be transferred to other regions. The working group is made up of local government with the support of a regional private sector body and national government body.
The continuous support of Scottish Enterprise and ONE through weekly Working Group meetings has allowed ACC to actively promote hydrogen technology in the North East region and to national bodies such as Transport Scotland. It has also enabled the formation of new relationships with other organisations in Scotland such as the Hydrogen Accelerator Group where further exchanges of knowledge can take place.
Another benefit is that while ACC can actively promote hydrogen to its contacts, having both Scottish Enterprise and ONE has increased the overall lobbying potential of the group. All this has played an important role in ACC’s learning process.
The continuous support of Scottish Enterprise and ONE through weekly Working Group meetings has allowed ACC to actively promote hydrogen technology in the North East region and to national bodies such as Transport Scotland. It has also enabled the formation of new relationships with other organisations in Scotland such as the Hydrogen Accelerator Group where further exchanges of knowledge can take place.
Another benefit is that while ACC can actively promote hydrogen to its contacts, having both Scottish Enterprise and ONE has increased the overall lobbying potential of the group. All this has played an important role in ACC’s learning process.
Further information
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Aberdeen City Council
United Kingdom
North Eastern Scotland
Contact
Project Officer