  Future pathways for Great Britain's energy system decarbonisation have
highlighted the importance of low-carbon hydrogen as an energy carrier and
demand flexibility support. However, the potential application within various
sectors (heating, industry, transport) and production capacity through
different technologies (methane reformation with carbon capture, biomass
gasification, electrolysis) is highly varying, introducing substantial
uncertainties for hydrogen infrastructure development. This study sets out
infrastructure priorities and identifies locational flexibility for hydrogen
supply and demand options. Advances on limitations of previous research are
made by developing an open-source model of the hydrogen system of Great
Britain, based on three Net Zero scenarios set out by National Grid in their
Future Energy Scenarios, in high temporal and spatial resolution. The model
comprehensively covers demand sectors and supply options, in addition to
extending the locational considerations of the Future Energy Scenarios. This
study recommends prioritising the establishment of green hydrogen hubs, in the
near-term, aligning with demands for synthetic fuels production, industry, and
power, which can facilitate the subsequent roll out of up to 10GW of hydrogen
production capacity by 2050. The analysis quantifies a high proportion of
hydrogen supply and demand which can be located flexibly.
