Member Article

Research projects encourage adoption of hydrogen tech

Five major government-backed research and development projects will aim to speed-up the adoption of energy systems using hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

Funded through the Technology Strategy Board, and the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the projects will demonstrate the use of fuel cell systems and hydrogen technologies in low carbon energy systems in transport.

The projects will investigate how such technologies can be integrated with other energy and transport components, such as renewable energy generation, refuelling infrastructure and vehicles.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “The UK has innovative businesses developing world-leading hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. By developing a coherent capability and a vibrant industry, we’ll be in a position to capture a share of the global market, encourage international partnerships and inward investment, thus growing the economy and creating jobs.

“These projects will complement the joint government/industry project UK H2 Mobility which is currently evaluating potential roll-out scenarios for hydrogen for transport in the UK.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “Hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies are at the cutting edge of new low carbon energy solutions. We need to see how these technologies can be integrated with other energy and transport products, and these exciting government-supported projects will do just that. We look forward to seeing the results.”

One of the projects will be undertaken on the Isle of Wight by energy storage and clean fuel company, ITM Power, an Ecoisland National Partner.

The project will design, build, install and operate two grid-connected hydrogen refuelling platforms on the island.

A fleet of hydrogen fuelled vehicles, including Hyundai, Microcab and River Simple, will be showcased on a central business park, as part of the scheme.

A number of partners will collaborate on the project, including Ecoiland Partners SSE, Toshiba, IBM, Cable and Wireless and Cheetah Marine, as well as National Physical Laboratory, Arcola Energy, and the Universities of Glamorgan and Nottingham.

David Green, CEO of Ecoisland, commented: “Ecoisland is delighted to have been selected as the location for this exciting hydrogen trial, the first of its kind in the country. As the UK’s leading sustainability project it is appropriate that the refueller trial is going to be based here.

“ITM Power are the experts in their field and Dr Graham Cooley is an inspiration in the renewable fuel arena. With the Eco Business Park as its home, and the inclusion of the Car Club, the refueller will mean that people living here and visiting Ecoisland will get the chance to share the hydrogen experience first-hand.”

Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power plc commented: “Ecoisland represents a quantum leap for renewable technologies in the UK. ITM’s energy storage and clean fuel technology will be at the heart of this project that gives us an ideal opportunity to link our equipment with world leading smart grid technologies to create the integrated energy grid of the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .