Construction Begins on Wales’ Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Center

22 January 2008

Construction work has begun on Wales’ first Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Center, at Baglan Energy Park. The £1.7 million (US$3.3 million) center is being developed by The University of Glamorgan in partnership with Neath Port Talbot Council.

The project complements the Welsh Assembly Government’s Accelerate Clusters network that is designed to develop the automotive sector in Wales by focusing on emerging technologies and niche market opportunities to meet the sustainable transport agenda.

The first of its kind in Wales, the Center will explore the potential use of hydrogen as a key energy carrier of the future and will show how hydrogen can be produced from local renewable sources.

It will bring together academic and industrial expertise and research, providing a hub for hydrogen business development throughout Wales. It forms part of a suite of projects supported by the Welsh Energy Research Center through grant aid from the Welsh European Funding Office.

Located next to the Solar Center and close to the Technium Sustainable Technologies center, the building will provide facilities for hydrogen production, conferencing, research, demonstrations and education and will run itself from renewable energy sources.