Welsh university to showcase hydrogen tech

Based at the Baglan Energy Park near Swansea, the Hydrogen Centre will operate under the aegis of the University of Glamorgan.

The centre, opened last week, aims to become a world leading research facility and demonstration project integrating well-established renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaic and wind with hydrogen and fuel cells.

Professor Dennis Hawkes who is leading the project said: “Rather than an isolated one-off demonstration, this centre provides the basis for a range of hydrogen energy and transport activities.

“The project puts Wales at the forefront of European efforts to develop hydrogen communities. The new centre brings together technology and expertise and will provide a platform for new business development, growth and employment in the region.”

His colleague Jon Maddy added: “Hydrogen has the potential to play a significant part in overcoming increased dependency on the diminishing resource of imported fossil fuels.

“Wales has an abundance of natural energy resources and this project will research and demonstrate the link between these renewables and the role of hydrogen energy.”

The opening of the centre builds on a number of hydrogen energy projects already underway at the University of Glamorgan.

Earlier this year, the University launched the UK’s first minibus to be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and the University has a number of world-leading pilot scale biohydrogen projects.

Rhodri Morgan, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, said: “Hydrogen provides a potential solution to a number of the most significant energy challenges that we face today and can therefore help to address climate change and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

“Wales is one of the leaders in researching the development of technology, and I am most impressed at the level of technology and expertise in this field that exists in the centre

This centre will open up a number of opportunities for academic and industry research as well as prospects for public demonstration and corporate training.

Sam Bond