Hydrogen Storage and Distribution Supply Chain Collaborative R&D

The aim of this competition is to develop new ways of delivering integrated hydrogen storage and distribution systems and the associated supply chains.

Your proposal must show how you will:

• develop new ways of delivering integrated hydrogen storage and distribution systems
• develop and reduce the associated cost of UK hydrogen supply chains associated with the storage and distribution of hydrogen
• push businesses towards commercialisation, accelerating adoption, reducing complexity and cost of hydrogen through demand-led innovation

Your project must demonstrate how it will work across and integrate multiple parts of the hydrogen value chain and tiers of the supply chain. You can include technology, business model development, safety and standardisation.

Your project must span two or more parts of the hydrogen value chain including: production, storage, distribution or use.

You must demonstrate how you are developing the UK hydrogen supply chain within the focus area of innovation and how it has included multiple tiers of the hydrogen supply chain.

You can use hydrogen or its low carbon carriers, such as: low carbon ammonia, low carbon methanol and low carbon liquid organic hydrogen carriers.

Projects focussing on a low carbon hydrogen carrier must demonstrate benefit to the development of the hydrogen economy in the UK.

You can develop innovation within different parts of hydrogen storage and distribution supply chain, including: physical infrastructure for example tanks and pipes, digital and optimisation infrastructure, components and enabling technologies for example valves, seals and fittings, on-road distribution for example tube trailers, refuelling, metering, sensing, separation, compression, materials, blending and deblending. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

You are encouraged to work across supply chain components to develop new ways of delivering integrated storage and distribution systems, to accelerate adoption, reduce the complexity and cost of hydrogen.
Your project can also consider and develop business models to: reduce the cost of capital, attract private investment, increase insurability, revenue generation models, develop the value proposition, develop data for investors, reduce risk for investors and insurers.

Your project can also include aspects of hydrogen production for the purpose of developing an integrated project spanning two or more parts of the hydrogen value chain.

Where hydrogen production is included, this should not be the primary area of innovation within the project. At least 50% of your project costs must be for the storage and distribution elements of your project.
Your proposal must demonstrate a need by including an end customer, such as Tier 1 or original equipment manufacturer (OEM), within your consortium. They can be a funded partner or non-funded project adviser.
You must show evidence of how you have considered the end user of the hydrogen as part of the project. They can be a funded partner or non-funded project adviser.

If you intend or need to work with a transmission or distribution gas network, you must get in touch with Innovate UK before submission of your application. We will discuss your application and its relationship with the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund.