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University Leads the Way in Hydrogen Economy

The University of Glamorgan has strengthened its position as a leader in hydrogen energy research, with the announcement today (Friday 12th February 2010) of two funding awards totalling £6.6m.

£6.3m has been awarded to a project entitled CymruH2Wales. This builds on the University’s expertise and previous investment in the field of hydrogen energy to develop new processes, products and services. The funding will enable the University to progress research in a number of key areas including:

• Hydrogen production from renewable electricity.
• Hydrogen as an energy store.
• Hydrogen combustion engines and fuel cells for use in clean vehicles.
• The strategic build up of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
• Biological hydrogen production.
• Product gas clean up.
• Development of novel co-products.

Professor Alan Guwy who is leading the project said, “CymruH2Wales addresses many of the critical aspects in the development of hydrogen and fuel cells as vital emerging energy technologies and aims to establish Welsh jobs in this important new energy industry. The project will involve researchers from the faculties of health, sport and science, and advanced technology, will employ 20 new research staff over the next three years and aims to create 63 permanent jobs in hydrogen energy.”

This three-year project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of the activities of the Low Carbon Research Institute.

The University of Glamorgan will lead the project, engaging partners from industry and other universities, including Swansea and Bangor.

The University has also been awarded £240,000 for its South Wales Alternative Fuel Gateway project. This project is part funded by the UK Department for Transport’s Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Grant Programme, managed by CENEX – the UK Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies.

The money will be used to build a new hydrogen, natural gas and biomethane vehicle refueling facility at the University’s Pontypridd campus as well as further developing the existing alternative refueling facilities at its Hydrogen Centre in Baglan.

These facilities will not only support the hydrogen and alternative vehicle drive train research and development work of the University, but will be the initial steps for the creation of a broader alternative refuelling infrastructure along the M4 corridor in Wales.

The project is fully supported by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of their statutory commitment and policies to support sustainable development, and their specific aim to create a Low Carbon Fuel Technology Corridor along the M4 in South Wales.