Hydrogen power research pioneer Coventry University claims £4 million contracts
The Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) at Coventry University has won over four million pounds in hydrogen testing contracts.
The £50 million research centre, a joint investment between Coventry University and global engineering consultancy FEV, is working with leading engine and vehicle manufacturers, electrification start-ups, and UK and European research consortia to develop new solutions for e-mobility startups and zero-emission drive systems.
The close partnership and three million pounds invested over two years in a state-of-the-art hydrogen research, development, and testing center made this enterprise successful.
This laboratory is presently capable of testing prototypes and pre-production hydrogen propulsion systems for use in trucks, coaches, off-highway machinery, ships, and trains, not to mention light to medium-sized aircraft.
C-ALPS’ five world-class test beds can now test output up to 650kW, and a new partnership with Element 2, a UK hydrogen refuelling company, ensures the centre has enough low-carbon Fuel Cell grade (ISO 14687) hydrogen to meet demand.
Loop Energy and H2 Portable to create hydrogen-electric gensets
To create zero emission gensets, Loop Energy has teamed up with Canadian power solutions provider H2 Portable.
The first three 50kW T505 fuel cell systems from Loop have been delivered to H2 Portable. These systems will be incorporated into hydrogen-electric gensets to supply clean, dependable, and on-demand electricity at building sites, movie sets, and other locations.
In order to meet the rising demand for hydrogen-electric power systems in Canada and the US, the gensets are anticipated to commence field testing in 2023. H2 Portable and its product development and manufacturing partner TYCROP seek to scale production starting in 2024.
Tasmanian government pursues green hydrogen goal while supporting farmers
The Tasmanian government is pursuing its goal of making Bell Bay the nation’s first green hydrogen hub and supporting Tamar Valley farmers at the same time.
The Tasmanian Irrigation will be able to send bulk raw water to the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub in Bell Bay thanks to a proposed amendment to the Irrigation Company Act 2011 that was hinted at by the government.
Less than 1% of the yearly water flow through the Trevallyn Power Station would be represented by the predicted amounts of water to be given to hydrogen manufacturers.
According to Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jo Palmer, this proposal has the TFGA’s support in principle and will help secure the prospects for the proposed Tamar Irrigation Scheme to the benefit of both irrigators and green hydrogen producers without affecting the availability or raising the price of water paid by farmers.
German and Slovenian startups get €2.5M in funding for hydrogen innovations
The German start-up ionysis and the Slovenian start-up ReCatalyst have been requested to sign a grant agreement with a funding sum of 2.5 million euros after being chosen for funding under the prestigious EIC Transition program.
The founding teams of ionysis and ReCatalyst collaborated closely on research even before the companies were created. With joint publications and exchanged research visits at their respective research institutions—the University of Freiburg and Hahn-Schickard for ionysis, and the Slovenian National Institute of Chemistry for ReCatalyst—they have been laying the foundation for EIC Transition since 2020.
The “Enabler” project, with a project volume of roughly 2.5 million euros, integrates the cutting-edge technologies of the two start-ups with the goal of making fuel cells for heavy-duty applications more affordable, ecologically friendly, and perform better. ReCatalyst has created its own technique to create innovative platinum alloy-based electrocatalysts, allowing for greater performance and durability in catalysts. For its membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), which are based on novel, fluorine-free materials, ionysis uses ReCatalyst’s catalysts.
The project’s objective is to create and validate fluorine-free MEAs that perform and last longer than current state-of-the-art targets. The well-known fuel cell stack developer EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH could be enlisted as an affiliated project partner in order to evaluate the MEAs in practical settings.
DEWA and ENOC perform feasibility study for hydrogen mobility pilot project
DEWA and ENOC would perform a feasibility study for a hydrogen mobility pilot project.
They considered creating, developing, and operating hydrogen-powered cars. This might lead to zero-emission vehicles and a greener future.
Hydrogen cells fuel the vehicle’s powertrain. Since it only produces water vapor, it makes transportation cleaner and more efficient. These vehicles could eliminate toxic pollutants and ease EV range issues.
Countries with climate action programs have increased hydrogen-powered car development. Numerous worldwide automakers have invested in the technology, but a breakthrough is still awaited. The requirement for greater hydrogen fuelling infrastructure to recharge automobiles has hampered the move.
Hydrogen becomes diesel’s best alternative
Diesel’s best alternative is hydrogen. The fuel emits water when converted into electrical energy for cars.
Currently, hydrogen-powered fuel cells are efficient and competitive.
Michal Sura, Head of Slovenská pošta’s Supervisory Board, says transportation is the main obstacle to hydrogen’s widespread adoption. Hydrogen has more energy capacity than diesel but less energy density per volume.
He illustrated this challenge by transferring 10 MWh of diesel, compressed hydrogen, and liquefied hydrogen. Diesel transporting that energy requires 930 gallons, or 790 kilograms.
A truck that can transport 4,255 liters of liquid hydrogen in a cryogenic tank at minus 253 degrees or colder can transport 10 MWh. A huge trailer with steel tanks can transport 300 kg of compressed hydrogen for compressed gas.
