First Hydrogen is making waves in Wales with its hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicle (FCEV), set to undergo operational testing this month in collaboration with gas network operator Wales & West Utilities (WWU).
The FCEV, a creation of Protium Green Solutions and Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions, marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind to hit the roads of Wales, promising to revolutionize the region’s approach to clean energy.
The operational test, taking place at WWU’s Swansea depot, aims to showcase the advantages of FCEVs over battery electric vehicles (BEV) in terms of range, payload capacity, and rapid refueling. With an impressive range of 630 km (400 mi), the FCEV is poised to support WWU’s network technicians during customer visits and various repair and maintenance tasks.
Wales & West Utilities, serving over 7.5 million customers in Wales and South West England with gas, has been at the forefront of developing cleaner energy solutions. The FCEV test aligns with WWU’s commitment to cleaner and greener options, complemented by their recent proposal for a major hydrogen pipeline through South Wales.
The collaboration extends beyond vehicle testing; it’s a strategic move towards building a local hydrogen ecosystem. First Hydrogen’s FCEV test runs have been close to existing hydrogen filling stations, but this operational test aims to address challenges in areas lacking infrastructure. Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions’ mobile refueling service, coupled with green hydrogen from Protium Green Solutions, showcases how refueling options can be developed through partnerships.
The green hydrogen supplied by Protium’s Pioneer 1 site in Wales is produced through electrolysis with renewable energy. Pioneer 1, operational since early 2023, has already demonstrated the viability of green hydrogen in various transport test runs. Anticipating growing demand, Protium is gearing up for Pioneer 2, a larger electrolyser set to commence operations later in 2024.
