Work begins on Redcar and Cleveland College Eco House to show possibilities for the future of household energy

• The Sir William Turner Eco House will open on the Redcar and Cleveland College site.
• The Eco House demonstrates the potential of hydrogen energy to support government ambitions to tackle climate change by achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
• It will provide the public with a glimpse into a potential home of the future fuelled by cleaner energy.

Visitors will soon be able to get a first-hand look into tomorrow’s world, but chances are it might not be as dramatic as you think.

Gas distributor Northern Gas Networks (NGN) is partnering with Redcar and Cleveland College to showcase what hydrogen in homes in place of natural gas could really look like.

The college’s Sir William Turner Eco House will be heated by a hydrogen boiler and retrofitted with a hydrogen hob, oven and fire. Residents and visitors are invited to come and see the appliances being demonstrated.

Fergal O’Donovan, NGN Hydrogen Programme Manager said: “We’re really pleased to be partnering with Redcar and Cleveland College to introduce hydrogen technology to an existing home for residents in Redcar. It will mean they can visit and get a feel for the reality of a hydrogen enabled home.

“We’ve been liaising and engaging with the local community so it’s exciting to be able to demonstrate how hydrogen will work in a realistic home setting.”

The transformation of the Eco House is the latest step in preparation for the Redcar Hydrogen Community Project, which, if approved by government, will see NGN supply greener energy, instead of natural gas, to approximately 2,000 homes and businesses in parts of Redcar including Coatham, Warrenby and an area of Kirkleatham.

A decision about whether the investment is awarded to Redcar is expected later this year, with the conversion of the gas network to 100% hydrogen expected to take place in 2025. The project will operate for around two years.

As well as providing Redcar residents with a place to see hydrogen operating in a home setting, the house will provide the college with training opportunities, for those looking to specialise in green skills needed for the future.

The Eco House comes off the back of the launch of Redcar and Cleveland College’s £3.2m Clean Energy Education Hub, a training facility purpose-built to meet the real training demands of the area’s emerging clean energy and low carbon sector.

Situated in the proposed catchment area, if the pilot goes ahead, the college will become the first college in the UK to use 100% hydrogen.

College principal Jason Faulkner said: “The college is perfectly placed to meet the training needs of the green hub that is emerging around us. We are working with industry leaders to help ensure local people get to benefit from the opportunities on their doorstep.

“The Sir William Turner Eco House, situated on the college site, has long been ahead of its time, operating as a training space for students to learn about the latest emerging green technologies in a home setting, from the likes of solar panels to air source heat pumps and rainwater harvesting.

“As we move towards alternate energy sources, for us as a college, it makes sense to continue to lead the way when it comes to cleaner, greener ways of living.”

Work is expected to be completed and the Eco House open later in the summer.

ENDS
Background

• Unlike the natural gas we use today, hydrogen doesn’t create carbon dioxide when it’s burned. The government has committed the UK to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 so the Redcar Hydrogen Community is a government initiative of national importance, providing vital evidence about the suitability of using hydrogen for heating and cooking in homes and businesses.
• For more information you can visit redcarhydrogencommunity.co.uk or you can visit our dedicated Hydrogen Hub on Redcar high street, open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm.