GHG and AQ Impact of Hydrogen produced by chlor-alkali plant
Request ID: FOI-0593-2122 Date published: 19 July 2021
You asked
According to your press release the 20 new Wrightbus H2 Fuel Cell buses will be powered by H2 produced as a "by-product" of a chlor-alkali plant.
What is the GHG footprint of hydrogen in terms of kg CO2e per kg hydrogen?
What other emissions of substances of concern (e.g. Sulphur dioxide, NOX and PM) are associated with the production of each kg of hydrogen at the plant?
What does this equate to in terms of gCO2e per driven kilometer for the H2FC buses?
What is the cost of the hydrogen? £/kg.
What is the energy cost of the vehicles in terms of £/km
How will the H2 be transported to the TfL depot from Runcorn and what is the GHG impact of this transportation? What are the NOx and PM emissions associated with this transport?
Thank you
We answered
TfL Ref: 0593-2122 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25 June 2021 asking for information about our Wrightbus H2 Fuel Cell buses. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold some of the information you require. Your questions and our replies are as follows: What is the GHG footprint of hydrogen in terms of kg CO2e per kg hydrogen? As hydrogen is produced as a waste by-product of the chlor-alkali electrolysis process, the energy used and resultant CO2e is attributed to the reason for production, chlorine. No additional emissions have been generated for the production of hydrogen.From 2023, the hydrogen will be produced by electrolysis powered by a direct connection to an offshore windfarm. What other emissions of substances of concern (e.g. Sulphur dioxide, NOX and PM) are associated with the production of each kg of hydrogen at the plant? As per our comments to your previous question above, any emissions generated are attributed to the primary reason for production, chlorine. No additional emissions have been generated for hydrogen production. What does this equate to in terms of gCO2e per driven kilometer for the H2FC buses? Well-to-wheel emissions will be analysed over the course of the project, with the hydrogen fuel consumption rate of buses being the main factor in determining this. Whilst we have a prediction based upon assumptions, we have only just begun collating actual data (from the date of launch) therefore we have insufficient data to make a conclusion at this stage. What is the cost of the hydrogen? £/kg. In accordance with the EIR, we are not obliged to supply some of the requested information as it is subject to a statutory exception to the right of access to information under regulation 12(5)(e) - confidentiality of commercial or industrial information. In this instance regulation 12(5)(e) has been applied as disclosure of the cost to TfL of purchasing the hydrogen is commercially sensitive and disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of both the supplier and ourselves by inhibiting our competitiveness in the market place when engaging in future negotiations for similar goods. The use of this exception is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, particularly where the expenditure of public money is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money from our commercial arrangements outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes. What is the energy cost of the vehicles in terms of £/km.The energy cost for the production of vehicles requires in-depth complex analysis. TfL does not hold the data. How will the H2 be transported to the TfL depot from Runcorn and what is the GHG impact of this transportation? What are the NOx and PM emissions associated with this transport? The H2 will be transported via gaseous tube trailer using a Euro VI compliant articulated lorry. The NOx and PM rate will vary depending upon make and manufacturer of tractor unit . The work is contracted out to a specialist logistics company that has a large mixed fleet of vehicles and we do not know the make, model of vehicles being used, neither do we hold a database of emission rates per make/model of Euro VI truck. All Euro VI vehicles have a maximum permissible limit of NOx and PM to comply with the regulations. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclose Yours sincerely Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
