The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has successfully implemented hydrogen technology on military bases to generate electricity for recharging electric vehicles. This marks the first military application of hydrogen technology, signifying a significant step in advancing sustainable energy solutions for Defence.
The trials were conducted in partnership with GeoPura and focused on using green hydrogen-powered generators to charge Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) at five MoD locations: RAF Leeming, HMNB Devonport, Merville Barracks Colchester, HMS Excellent Portsmouth, and RAF Northolt.
Air Vice-Marshal Rich Pratley, the MoD Senior Responsible Owner for the project, said that the trials underscored the MoD’s commitment to sustainability and improving operational efficiency. He highlighted the potential of hydrogen to enable zero-emissions energy and address challenges posed by the expanding electric vehicle fleet.
Hydrogen-powered generators, or HPUs, were used for reliable, always-on, and environmentally friendly power. They support large-scale rapid charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, overcoming limitations of grid capacity and enabling off-grid operations if necessary. With the rise of BEVs, grid insufficiency can restrict recharging needs, but HPUs help by either supplementing grid power or operating independently.
Matt Barney, Chief Hydrogen Business Officer at GeoPura, emphasized that their hydrogen solutions address these challenges by offering rapid, zero-emission charging unrestricted by grid limitations. This helps to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles and contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Defence operations.
The HPUs provided a mix of AC and fast DC charging capabilities, catering to operational requirements both on and off the grid. Over the course of the trial, approximately 120,000 miles were driven using vehicles charged by these generators, demonstrating hydrogen’s robustness and reliability as a sustainable energy source.
Looking ahead, GeoPura aims to expand hydrogen use across Defence sites, understand demand, develop regulations for military hydrogen applications, and enhance personnel training. They plan to build on the trial insights to drive research and develop smaller, mobile hydrogen systems for short deployments, as well as larger, power-dense systems for diverse operational needs in the UK and abroad.
