A hydrogen refueling station for vehicles based in the Tees Valley has opened at Teesside International Airport as part of a £2.5 million region-wide study.
The airport, in collaboration with other major organizations, is testing commercial and support vehicles equipped with 100 percent zero-emission hydrogen-fueled commercial and support vehicles as part of the Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub.
Now, Element 2, which is assisting in the development of the UK’s hydrogen infrastructure, has established the station to supply fuel to two Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and a forklift that arrived on the site lately. This is in addition to the arrival of a Kangoo hydrogen-powered light truck and a hydrogen tug in May.
Toyota is deploying a number of hydrogen cars across the region’s quick response services, including emergency response units for the Cleveland Police Department and NHS patient assistance, that can also utilize the new refueling infrastructure. Northern Gas Networks, which is evaluating hydrogen as a possible replacement for natural gas in regional households, also relies on a hydrogen car.
Until the new refueling station opened at Teesside Airport, the closest hydrogen vehicle refueling facility was approximately 100 miles away in Rotherham.
Tees Valley was announced as the location of the UK’s first hydrogen transport hub in September 2020. In collaboration with Teesside University, the center will establish an innovation campus devoted to renewable energy research and development. It will oversee the research, development, and testing of novel hydrogen transportation systems for automobiles, buses, trains, lorries, boats, and planes.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The trial of these vehicles and refuelling station is just one of many ground-breaking hydrogen initiatives taking part across Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington right now, to understand its potential and pave the way for the cleaner, safer and healthier industries of the future. It sits alongside projects by the likes of bp and Kellas Midstream in both blue and green hydrogen production and Northern Gas Networks’ testing of hydrogen as alternative to natural gas for home heating and cooking.
“By proving these vehicles are efficient, easy to use and safe in a wide range of applications, we’re putting our region at the forefront of the hydrogen revolution – while showing that our airport is much more than flights to Alicante.
“I want our airport to be the first hydrogen-ready airport in the UK, helping to boost our low-carbon credentials even further. It was only a few weeks ago, too, that we heard two local businesses – Nova Pangea Technologies and Alfanar Energy – were leading research into sustainable aviation fuels in a Government-backed scheme to develop a plane powered by liquid hydrogen. Together, this all demonstrates the real potential of the sector and how it can help create the good-quality well-paid jobs of tomorrow.”
Brendan Bilton, Element 2’s Chief Technology Officer said: “For every 1kg of hydrogen fuel used, 3.7 litres of Diesel and 10kg of CO2 emissions is offset. The Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub will play a vital part in decarbonising the North East, local residents and workers will benefit from cleaner air and the hub will create more skilled jobs in the region.
“We want to encourage fleet owners and operators to take advantage of this opportunity. Together, we can make diesel history.”
James Clarke, Toyota GB spokesperson said: “The provision of our Mirai hydrogen fuel cell cars to the Teesside Hydrogen Transport Hub is another step in the journey towards a hydrogen society. It’s great that they will be put to good use by support services, joining a growing range of industries and organisations that are already benefitting from zero-emission vehicles, and that can be speedily re-fuelled in just three minutes, with a driving range of approximately 300 miles.”
