According to some predictions, the UK will face a 23% shortfall in energy supply at peak periods in 2015, and a 31.5% shortfall in 2020. By then, the costs of unplanned power cuts to the UK economy could reach £192bn. This would have a major impact on the UK’s economic recovery and competitiveness in global markets. Hydrogen represents an excellent storage option as it can act as both a short and long-term energy store to balance supply and demand at different scales, geographies and weather conditions.

Energy storage through hydrogen is:

• A near term commercial opportunity for the UK that will assist in integrating greater amount of renewables within the UK electricity system therefore enabling the UK to meet its ambitious renewable targets and fill in the supply and demand gap
• An optimal clean pathway to smart grid stabilization
• Proven and has been utilised for a number of years in a number of locations, including: Shetland Islands, Utsira Island, Greenland, supplying a greater percentage of the community’s overall power requirements with improved stability and reliability.

To download the full document click here

The trial forms part of the M&S Plan A initiative, and aims to deliver zero emission vehicles with superior performance and a two minute refuel time. The trial is the first of its kind in the UK and demonstrates the cutting edge vision of M&S and ITM Power.

The global materials handling market, valued at $20B, is seen as a key early adoption market for hydrogen with fuel cells already being able to offer superior performance to battery powered systems.

Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power commented: “The involvement of companies such as M&S is essential to developing commercially viable hydrogen solutions for the materials handling industry. We are extremely pleased to be conducting this trial with M&S who continue to lead the way for sustainable technology deployment.”

Darrell Stein, Director of IT and Logistics for M&S commented: “We are excited to be trialing this solution with a company like ITM Power, and with a technology which has the potential to drive significant carbon reductions from our warehouse operations. If we’re to achieve our ambitious goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable major retailer then we must continue to innovate and push the boundaries in every part of our business”.

To find out more visit ITM Power

ACAL Energy has completed an important step in a rigorous testing programme designed to evaluate the durability of its FlowCath® fuel cell platform. The results confirm that the platinum-free liquid cathode system, FlowCath® inherently eliminates many of the causes of lost performance in both continuous operation and in auto cycling. It has the potential greatly to assist the cost-down strategies of vehicle OEMs looking to deploy fuel cells.

The announcement comes a day after the launch of a new Government-backed initiative called UKH2Mobility that will evaluate the potential for hydrogen as a fuel for Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles in the UK, and develop an action plan for an anticipated roll-out to consumers in 2014/15.

ACAL Energy has been carrying out representative drive cycle tests in response to requests from automotive manufacturers. Drive cycle issues are known to cause deterioration of conventional PEM fuel cells. To date, ACAL Energy has reached close to 2,000 hours of cumulative testing. Reducing the cost of achieving durability is key to successful deployment of fuel cells in mass market automotive applications, and by avoiding expensive engineering designs, the Pt-free FlowCath® system will allow vehicle manufacturers to accelerate progress to supplying affordable fuel cell vehicles.

In one set of tests, a full-scale stack was subjected to extreme load and rapid thermal cycling, from zero to 1A/cm2 load cycles and from 20 to 80 degC. No measurable change in performance was seen in over 400 load cycles and 100 thermal cycles.

ACAL Energy’s technology is based on thermodynamically stable homogeneous catalysts. These catalysts have been in regular use for over three years in multiple test cells and systems, and the Company has seen no instance of catalyst deterioration throughout a battery of single cell, stack and system testing programmes. “This is probably the most significant and valuable feature of our technology”, says Amanda Lyne, VP Strategic Business Development at ACAL Energy. “Early volume sales of fuel cell vehicles will mean that great pressure will be put on OEMs to reduce manufacturing costs. By inherently avoiding many of the durability issues seen in conventional technology, using our FlowCath® system we can improve the economic picture significantly, and speed up the mass deployment of H2FC vehicles”. The response from one auto maker was: “This result is much better than the conventional result”.

The Company continues to accumulate data on its systems, including the fully integrated stationary back up power system located at the Solvay Interox site at Warrington.

For more information visit ACAL Energy

New Government and cross industry programme to make hydrogen powered travel in the UK a reality

A ground breaking project to ensure the UK is well positioned for the commercial roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles has been launched, Business Minister Mark Prisk announced today.

The new programme – UKH2Mobility – brings together three Government Departments and industrial participants from the utility, gas, infrastructure and global car manufacturing sectors.

The group will evaluate the potential for hydrogen as a fuel for Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles in the UK before developing an action plan for an anticipated roll-out to consumers in 2014/15. It aims to:

• Analyse in detail the specific UK case for the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles as one of a number of solutions to decarbonise road transport and quantify the potential emissions benefits;
• Review the investments required to commercialise the technology, including refuelling infrastructure; and
• Identify what is required to make the UK a leading global player in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle manufacturing thereby paving the way for economic opportunities to the UK, through the creation of new jobs and boosting of local economies.

All of the participants have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to agree to share their knowledge and expertise.

Speaking at the launch of UKH2Mobility at the Royal Society Mark Prisk said: “The UK is proving itself to be a key early market for ultra-low emission vehicles with growing numbers of electric and plug-in hybrids appearing on our roads. The Government is supporting this market by investing £400million to support the development, demonstration and deployment of low and ultra-low emission vehicles.

“Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are increasingly being recognised as one of the viable options as we move to a lower carbon motoring future. They are highly efficient, can be fuelled in minutes, travel an equivalent range to a conventional combustion engine, and have zero tail-pipe emissions.

“The UK has a number of world-class companies that are developing exciting technologies in both the hydrogen energy and automotive value chains and it is therefore vitally important that we identify what is required to make these cars a realistic proposition for UK consumers.

“UKH2Mobility will bring together industry expertise to establish the UK as a serious global player in the manufacture and use of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and the supporting infrastructure.”

Jerry Hardcastle, Vice-President for Vehicle Design and Development at Nissan said: “This is an important step for the automotive sector towards the development of clean vehicle technologies and zero emission mobility. It will lay many of the foundations for the commercial deployment of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles which could represent a large segment of the UK market in the coming years. With this comprehensive list of partners we can be assured to have all the knowledge necessary to make UKH2Mobility an exhaustive and credible study.”

Kevin Michaelis, Regional Vice President, Liquid Bulk/Generated Gases–Europe, Air Products, said: “This project brings together the leading hydrogen infrastructure providers, at the forefront of deployment worldwide, with the common goal of supporting the rollout of hydrogen transport across the United Kingdom.

“The hydrogen infrastructure sector has been working over a number of years to develop hydrogen transport in the UK. We are very pleased that the progress made is being recognised by the Government in this groundbreaking initiative that will shift the focus from R&D to deployment of hydrogen infrastructure.

“Working together with Government and leading car manufacturers we can support the creation of a hydrogen transport infrastructure that will dramatically cut harmful vehicle emissions and move the UK towards a zero carbon transport system.”

Dr Henri Winand, Chief Executive of Intelligent Energy said: “The UKH2Mobility is a ground-breaking industry led task force. Its job is to roll its sleeves up and ensure that the UK is well positioned for the commercial roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from 2014/15 as part of a balanced portfolio of drivetrains. Fuel cell vehicles, storage and refuelling technology are here today, they work! We now need to look at how we can make these elements, together with the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, work most effectively to enable the UK to take full advantage of hydrogen as a transport fuel; stimulating inward investment, GDP growth and securing and creating new jobs”.

UKH2Mobility will deliver its evaluation of the potential of hydrogen as a transport fuel by the end of 2012. If the results are positive, an action plan will be developed to work through the steps needed to get the UK ready to be one of the first markets for the global commercial roll out of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles.

Notes to Editors:

- There are 13 industry participants (below) in UKH2Mobility together withthree UK Government Departments – The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, The Department for Transport and the Department for Energy and Climate Change in addition to the European Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.

- Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles themselves share a large proportion of the electric motor and drive train technology with other electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles; it is the energy storage/conversion devices that are different. The fuel cell is an electrochemical device like a battery, but unlike a battery it does not need recharging, can be refuelled quickly and will continue to generate power so long as it is fed with hydrogen fuel. They are highly efficient devices (50-60% compared to an average of around 20% for internal combustion engines) that produce no emissions or pollutants at the tail-pipe and much reduced overall well-to-wheel emissions when compared with today’s petrol and diesel engines.

- Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier. When used as fuel in fuel-cell systems it does not produce any carbon emissions (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons or particulates). Therefore, using hydrogen will contribute to the improvement of air quality and the reduction of CO2.

- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric vehicles are seen as part of the portfolio of solutions that will be required to decarbonise road transport. The Automotive Council Roadmap identifies a pathway where fuel cell electric vehicles will complement hybrid and battery electric vehicles and more efficient internal combustion engines.

- The Government continues to take a technology-neutral approach to supporting low and ultra-low carbon vehicle technology and recognises that a portfolio of solutions will be required to decarbonise transport. The Plug-in Car Grant is open to all vehicles meeting the performance criteria, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, pure electric and plug-in hybrid models. This Grant gives both private and business consumers a reduction in the upfront cost of eligible vehicles (http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/olev/plug-in-car-grant/)

- Industry signatory parties to the Memorandum of Understanding are:

Air Liquide Hydrogen Energy, SA
Air Products PLC
Daimler
AG
Hyundai Motor Company
Intelligent Energy Limited
ITM Power PLC
Johnson Matthey PLC
Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited
Scottish and Southern Energy plc
Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc
The BOC Group Limited
Toyota Motor Corporation
Vauxhall Motors

In the submission, the UKHFCA advocated for Government policy to encourage the deployment of the most efficient technologies, rather than to be prescriptive about particular means of renewable electricity generation. The Renewables Obligations Order 2012 and new banding levels must protect the potential for hydrogen and fuel cells, and other high efficiency, low carbon technologies, to be deployed as part of anaerobic digestion, landfill and sewage gas projects.

Given the growing importance of energy storage in the management of the UK electricity network, UK HFCA also appealed to the Government to provide clarification on the Government’s proposals to accelerate the take‐up of energy storage technologies under the existing renewable energy support schemes.

To read the full response, click here

Cheetah Marine, now in their 20th year of production, continues to lead Europe in the specialist design and construction of power catamarans. Cheetah Marine catamarans are renowned in the commercial world where all weather time at sea is critical. The company combines their customers’ specifications with their knowledge and expertise gained from building over 300 catamarans. The Company currently occupies 1400m² of undercover workshop space on the Isle of Wight and is an innovation partner to EcoIsland.

ITM Power will work with Cheetah Marine to optimise existing petrol outboard motors to run on hydrogen to reduce emissions and fuel costs and improve fuel security. The resulting vehicle will be taken through the approvals process to be marketed as a product alongside ITM Power’s refueling equipment.

Source: ITM Power

The iconic tree is a tradition that dates back to 1947 when the city of Oslo donated the first tree to the people of London. Oslo has since donated a tree every year to thank the UK for its support of Norway during the Second World War.

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Susie Burbidge, said, “I would like to thank the people of Oslo for this wonderful tree, the gift of which is a tradition that I know goes back many years, and has come to represent not only the start of Christmas, but also of a long-standing friendship between Norway and Great Britain.”

UPS System has donated a 75W fuel cell to the Greater London Authority (GLA), along with enough fuel to light the Christmas tree’s star for the duration of the festive season. Furthermore, UPS Systems has installed its unique remote monitoring system, REMO, to track how the fuel cell is performing, which can be done from its offices in Hungerford. REMO alerts users to equipment faults and power failures, as well as monitoring input and output voltage, load, temperature,fuel levels and other important operating parameters. The GLA is also able to log into REMO ‘Live’, REMO’s secure web-based platform, at any time, to view the status of the system and monitor its operation.

The GLA is committed to making London a greener city through a number of initiatives, including its iconic Christmas tree. The tree now uses low energy LED lights to reduce power and emissions. And the star uses compact fluorescent bulbs, which allow it to shine brightly whilst using little power.

Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells is among the companies leading one of the projects. The others are Alstom Grid UK Ltd, C-Tech Innovation Ltd, Cella Energy Ltd, Compound Semiconductor Technologies Global Ltd, Intrinsiq Materials Ltd and Sharp Laboratories Europe.

The funding awards will be made by the Technology Strategy Board and are designed to demonstrate the materials to support the development of tomorrow’s energy technologies. In a statement, the Technology Strategy Board said: “The UK faces a number of challenges around energy supply, cost and security, because of the need to reduce both national and global CO2 emissions.

“This has created a need for the UK to adopt a balanced portfolio of energy technologies.”

In addition to fuel cells and hydrogen storage, the research projects focus on high-grade waste heat recovery photovoltaic materials and composite insulation for power transmission applications.

The awards, which will be matched by the participating businesses, follow successful applications by the companies to the Materials for Energy competition for R&D funding.

Source: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/media-room/news-room/govt-funding-for-johnson-matthey-fuel-cells-research-project/801219976.html

For further information visit E.ON’s website 

The vehicles running on hydrogen emit almost no greenhouse gases, offer productivity gains and are highly flexible.  Hydrogen offers users a source of power that is reliable, profitable andenvironmentally friendly. These advantages have been highlighted in the North-American market where more than 2,300 forklift trucks running on hydrogen will be deployed by the end of 2011. The potential development of this market in Europe could be around 10,000 units by 2015.