Hydrogen
Hydrogen, the most basic of elements. Colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic, the most abundant element in the universe and critically, highly combustible. To many, hydrogen is the perfect energy source. Why then, has it remained ‘the energy of tomorrow’ for much of history?
The Hydrogen Challenge
Hydrogen is not naturally found in its pure form on earth. So, we must use other raw energy such as renewable electricity to split hydrogen out from water through electrolysis, or splitting hydrogen from carbon in natural gas. This makes commercialising hydrogen beyond its traditional base of users, a challenge for our industry.
By 2050, a zero-carbon economy could consume somewhere between c.240Mt/year to 800 Mt+/year. Building this hydrogen economy will require a combination of all ‘colours’ of hydrogen from Blue (hydrogen produced from natural gas combined with carbon capture), Green (hydrogen produced from electrolysis using renewable energy) to turquoise (hydrogen produced by pyrolysis from natural gas). Not only does hydrogen come in many ‘colours’, it can also be used as Ammonia and Methanol.
At Kent, we cover this entire rainbow. We have over 50 years’ experience in the full value chain of hydrogen from production through distribution, storage and utilisation. Whether we’re designing end-to-end project solutions, pioneering new concepts or streamlining processes, delivering outstanding project outcomes is our end game. Our global reach mean we can support the hydrogen energy value chain for our customers at every stage and make the energy of tomorrow, a reality today.
Through the production lifecycle
Hydrogen production
We work with the development of blue hydrogen clusters such as HyNet which combines new hydrogen facilities with carbon capture technologies and existing infrastructure to provide both large scale industrial users and domestic consumers with cleaner energy sources. We work with customers to design large scale green hydrogen production and ammonia and methanol facilities.
Hydrogen transportation, storage & utilisation
Our customers can rely on our expertise to ensure that hydrogen is transported safely, often using existing infrastructure and ensure that it can be stored safely. We’re also helping a broader base of industrial energy users introduce green hydrogen into their processes.
Maintenance
We help clients maintain their hydrogen facilities.
Hydrogen utilisation
Our specialist services for end-use applications include hydrogen cluster/hub master planning and associated networks
Strategies for hydrogen and carbon reduction footprint
Hydrogen production, purification and handling
Hydrogen in chemicals and refining
Associated facilities
- Waste feedstocks
- Electrical infrastructure
- Water planning for green hydrogen
- Utilities & offsites
Compression and storage
Distribution and pipeline interfacing
Hydrogen utilisation
- hydrogen firing of combustion
- equipment / gas turbines,
- grid balancing
A technology neutral approach
This means we can offer clients unbiased and independent advice when it comes to selecting the best solutions for their plans. We have experience with:
Our Specialist Services
Master planning
Working with governments, developers and operators to craft overall hydrogen hubs
Front end advisory: (FEL0-3)
- Feasibility studies and conceptual design
- Site evaluation and selection studies
- Assess the commercial and technological risks of projects including project execution risk assessment for brownfield and green field facilities
- Guide developers through the government approval process including consenting, permitting and advisory services
- Strategies for optimising greenfield layouts and brownfield layout integration with existing facilities and site constraints
- Preparations of CAPEX and OPEX cost estimates for FID based on our “as-built” experience
- Technology evaluation & selection (including evaluation of emerging technologies)
Engineering and delivery phase: (FEL3 into start up)
- Front end design
- Detailed engineering including structural, process, mechanical, civil, electrical, control & instrument, safety
- PMC, owners engineering, EPCM, procurement and project management services
- Construction and commissioning activities
- Fabrication yard supervision as required
- Technical authority
Operations and maintenance phase:
- Advisory services
- O&M execution
- Operator training programs
- Asset integrity
Our Hydrogen Project Experience
Green hydrogen – offshore or onshore?
In this Tech Talk, our specialist Low Carbon Process Engineers discuss how project drivers such as process configurations, location factors and economic considerations influence the preferred location of green hydrogen production – onshore or offshore?
