UK, Birmingham

Hydrogen 'Microcabs' part of research project
Station powered by renewable energy

The UK’s first hydrogen gas fuelling station has opened at the University of Birmingham's Department of Chemical Engineering where research projects are being carried out to ascertain the viability of hydrogen in transport applications as part of Birmingham’s Science City hydrogen energy project. Engineers will be comparing five hydrogen powered vehicles with the University’s own fleet of petrol, diesel and pure ‘electric’ vehicles so that they can learn more about their efficiency and performance.  The researchers will determine how these vehicles need to be adapted in order to make hydrogen an attractive and cost effective option as a future fuel.

The Series 100 station has been specially designed by Air Products.  The fuelling system comprises an integrated compression, hydrogen storage and dispensing system, and is optimised to fuel up to approximately six vehicles per day. Minimal onsite utilities are required for the fuelling system, which can be easily moved from site to site, making it ideal for hydrogen fuelling start up stations.

Professor Kevin Kendall, lead investigator from the University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, says, ‘We are delighted to be the home of England’s only hydrogen gas filling station.  It is absolutely necessary that we have the means to refuel our fleet of hydrogen powered cars so that we can carry out our research project into the feasibility of hydrogen in a transport context.’ 

Dr Bruno Pollet, from the University’s Fuel Cells Group says, ‘We are starting to take the necessary steps to gear up towards a hydrogen and fuel cell infrastructure, so it is essential, now, that we begin to develop a supply chain of businesses which can generate jobs and growth in these new technologies.  Hydrogen powered vehicles will help to create new working partnerships and to bring about a sense of cohesion among those already working in the industry.’

Dr Waldemar Bujalski of the University’s Fuel Cell Group says, ‘We fully appreciate the initial capital investment from Advantage West Midlands which has enabled us to expand the scope of our long standing activities in the hydrogen and fuel cell research areas.  This investment was crucial for securing further funds from a variety of sources for establishing and maintaining the necessary manpower and resources to carry out this exciting research.’

The research is part of the hydrogen energy project which has received funding from Regional Development Agency Advantage West Midlands to develop the use of hydrogen energy as a green fuel in collaboration with the University of Warwick.  The project has been approved as part of the Science City Initiative.

Renewable energy supply for the filling station

The hydrogen comes from Green Gases Ltd and is produced by ‘green’ means – therefore it is manufactured from renewable energy, resulting in a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared with conventionally produced hydrogen - http://www.green-gases.com/index.htm

Microcabs

Five hydrogen powered vehicles have been purchased by the University from Microcab Industries Limited.  The Microcab is the product of entrepreneur John Jostins who visualised a small, urban vehicle with zero emissions suitable for use as a taxi or light freight carrier - the result is a vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, pollution free and virtually silent in operation.  The only emission is water.  It weighs 500kg and has a maximum speed of 40mph with a range, on a full hydrogen tank, of approximately 160km (100miles).

Hydrogen hybrid canal boat

A zero-emission hydrogen hybrid canal boat has also been developed by engineers at the University of Birmingham and was unveiled in September 2007.   The boat is fully operational and demonstrates how a combination of magnet and fuel cell technologies could be used to power inland waterways craft.