Heating with hydrogen: an option for the future.
Definition
What is hydrogen and why is it a sustainable energy source?
Hydrogen, the chemical element H₂, is the most abundant in the universe and an essential part of various organic compounds. It's an odourless, colourless, and flammable gas, found almost everywhere in nature f.e. in water (combined with oxygen as H₂O).
Once hydrogen is extracted, the gas can be stored as an energy carrier and used efficiently and sustainably for energy conversion. 1 kilo of hydrogen contains the same energy as 2.8 kilos of petrol. But unlike heating with gas, burning hydrogen does not produce any CO₂.
Good reasons for hydrogen
Four compelling advantages to heat with hydrogen.
- Eco-friendly.
If you're using the most sustainable type, green hydrogen, your heating results in zero CO₂ emissions, due to its production using renewable energy.
- Efficient.
Hydrogen delivers significant power, offering efficiency comparable to modern gas appliances for homes. But it holds potential to even fuel space shuttles.
- Unlimited available.
Hydrogen can be extracted from various substances, particularly water, a significant advantage given the abundance of water on our "blue planet."
- Seamless fitting.
Hydrogen boilers are similar in size and layout to other gas boilers and can be installed in the same way. So, if you have a gas boiler, you don't have to adjust to major changes.
Heating for the future
Heating with hydrogen might become more relevant in the future.
It is already possible to use hydrogen to heat, and it's becoming increasingly more relevant. Heating with hydrogen is being tested in pilot projects across Europe. As an exclusive partner, we, Vaillant, are involved in Germany's largest field test with ten private and one professional customer.
Several other pilots are running in Germany and Great Britain, where the government has a focus on hydrogen heating. The plan is to increase the share of hydrogen in natural gas in the EU to up to 20 % over the next 15 years.
Why not already 100 %? Currently, most countries don't have a pipeline network to transport 100 % hydrogen. This depends on the success of the test projects, the commitment of the gas network operators, and political developments.
Your hydrogen options for heating at a glance.
- Today
- Near future
Our latest generation gas condensing boilers - ecoTEC exclusive and ecoTEC plus 1-5 - are ready for the future. They run on up to 20% hydrogen* or even 100% bio-natural gas, all without any technical adjustments or settings from an installer.
The heart of these boilers is our innovative combustion control. It automatically detects the type of gas in the network and adjusts itself for optimal efficiency.
*Applies to ecoTEC exclusive VC 1-7 and ecoTEC plus VC/VCW/VCI 1-5.
Make the switch to sustainable gas heating today with our H₂ ready boilers.
- 1/2Wall-Hung Boiler Gas, Condensing, CombiecoTEC exclusiveSustainable comfort: Premium gas condensing replacement in existing single-family homes.Get more details
Sustainable comfort: Premium gas condensing replacement in existing single-family homes.
- Automatic adaption to fluctuating gas types and qualities
- Future-proof sustainability ready for up to 20% of hydrogen
- Handy monitoring via integrated touch display and app
- Smart navigation through consistent interface design with touch elements
- Combinable with many extensions to optimise comfort and efficiency
Efficient operation with optimised comfort thanks to smart technology: This makes our ecoTEC exclusive the ideal boiler replacement in existing, digitally aligned single-family homes connected to the gas grid: They offer the highest product quality, can be conveniently controlled via sensoApp, are made of a material that is 80% recyclable and can use up to 20% hydrogen with outputs of 15-30 kW.
- 2/2Wall-hung boiler gas, condensing, combiecoTEC plusIdeally suitable for replacements in existing buildings.Get more details
Ideally suitable for replacements in existing buildings.
- Automatic adaption to fluctuating gas types and qualities
- Future-proof sustainability ready for up to 20% of hydrogen
- Extendable with renewables like solar, thermal, or photovoltaics for even more efficient heating
- Easily connected to myVAILLANT connect internet gateway via plug and play for smart heating
- Handy monitoring with our new design and operating concept
Especially in existing buildings with gas grid connections, our ecoTEC plus boilers are a swift and the most popular solution to replace old gas boilers ecologically and efficiently: Made of a material that's 80% recyclable, they're easily installed using the given connections, provide reliable quality and can even utilise up to 20% of hydrogen for outputs of 10-30 kW – making it a future-proof choice that can reduce consumption and operating costs.
Good to know
The different types of hydrogen.
- Green hydrogen
- Turquoise hydrogen
- Blue hydrogen
- Grey hydrogen
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis from water. Electrolysis sends electrical current through a substance to create a chemical reaction. If the electricity comes from renewable sources such as wind or solar power, the hydrogen produced is called "green". It produces no CO₂ and is therefore recommended by us.
