Thread by @heatpolicyrich

I have a new article in the journal 'Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions' which has been in the making for a number of years.

It wouldn't have been possible without cross-institutional support and wider expertise around the characteristics of 'low carbon gas'.

https://twitter.com/exeterepg/status/1296351347172925441

Focusing on the issue of incumbency, we investigate the emergence of a low carbon gas coalition in the UK. We investigate what the coalition has been doing and the messages it has been promoting primarily through political lobbying and policy engagement.

Converting the gas grid to low carbon gas is presented as *the* option for heat decarbonisation in areas with a gas grid at the expense of other options such as heat networks and heat pumps.

The end of the article critically and forensically analyses the potential for low carbon gases to decarbonise heat in the UK. We review the most up to date modelling associated with heat and net zero in the UK and compare this to the pathways presented by the coalition.

Currently, hydrogen appears to be the only gas option which may be able to decarbonise heat at scale but even this appears deeply uncertain from a cost, technical and carbon perspective. Hybrid low carbon gas/electrification options may also have system value.

Hence our conclusion states:

Thanks to everyone involved including the anonymous peer reviewers who encouraged a more critical and policy relevant paper.