UK’s First Hydrogen Demonstration Center Opens in Wales

13 October 2008

The UK’s first hydrogen energy research and demonstration center opened last week at the University of Glamorgan, Wales. Based at Baglan Energy Park near Swansea, the £2.2 million (US$3 million) ‘Hydrogen Centre’ is designed to demonstrate the viability and safety of producing hydrogen from indigenous renewable resources in Wales.

The Centre, part of Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, will integrate renewable energy technologies (solar photovoltaic and wind) with hydrogen and fuel cell energy technologies. The University also has a number of pilot-scale biohydrogen projects underway.

Earlier in the year, the University launched the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell minibus. The 16-passenger bus uses a hydrogen-powered fuel cell to generate electricity and charge batteries that then power an electric motor. The bus incorporates a regenerative braking system with ultracapacitors for energy storage. Top speed is up to 70 mph, with a range of up to 250 miles.