Hydrogen Farm of the Future Report
Resource
Summary
Cenex, partnered with the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), responded to a market enquiry by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) through the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) on understanding the possible demand for hydrogen in an agricultural setting.
Through engagement with agricultural stakeholders and examining the technological and financial attractiveness of hydrogen compared to gas and (red) diesel, this Hydrogen Farm of the Future report aims to understand the potential use cases for hydrogen in the farming sector, the scale of potential demand among farms, and the viability of farming as an early adopter of hydrogen.
Key Points
- Hydrogen can greatly lower on-farm emissions by substituting fossil fuels in machinery, heating, and transportation with locally produced green hydrogen.
- Integrated renewable hydrogen systems enhance energy resilience, enabling farms to be more self-sufficient and less dependent on the grid.
- Economic viability increases with scale and intelligent usage, particularly when hydrogen addresses multiple needs and excess can create additional value.
- The success of hydrogen in agriculture relies on equipment availability, necessitating further development of hydrogen-compatible tractors, boilers, and storage systems.
- Supportive policies and demonstration projects are crucial for scaling adoption, reducing investment risks, and demonstrating real-world benefits to the farming sector.