National Grid Gas Distribution, Northern Gas Networks, and the HyDeploy Consortium have been awarded £6.8 million $8.46 million) by Ofgem's Network Innovation Competition for a heating initiative that will use Keele University's gas network the UK.

The HyDeploy project aims to inject hydrogen into an existing natural gas network. It would make up a maximum of 20% of the volume of gas in the network.

The HyDeploy project aims to inject hydrogen into the existing natural gas network. If the project is successful, it may enable hydrogen to be blended with natural gas in gas networks across the country. Potentially, the project could prevent 120 million tonnes of carbon reaching the atmosphere by 2050.

The project will help contribute to the UK government's decarbonization targets. It has pledged to cut Britain's carbon dioxide emissions by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. Heating accounts for one third of emissions.

The three-year pilot will start in 2017. The Ofgem funding, together with funds contributed by National Grid and Northern Gas Networks, will be used to provide hydrogen production and injection facilities at Keele University and to run a testing and safety program.