Hydrogen
Low-carbon businesses can thrive here in the West Midlands.
We’re scaling up innovative technologies for hydrogen use and replacing intensive fossil fuel processes, to create a new hydrogen economy.
At the epicentre of UK transport innovation and recognised for its automotive, rail and aerospace industry clusters – West Midlands businesses can take a leading global position to develop, trial and test best use case scenarios for hydrogen.
With the UK Government recently doubling its 2030 hydrogen production capacity target to 10GW, the transition to hydrogen as a low-carbon energy source presents market opportunities for commercial hydrogen applications across our region’s energy, transport and manufacturing sectors.
Existing hydrogen projects in the West Midlands
The West Midlands’ strengths in hydrogen innovation and commercial application are evident across a number of impressive projects.
- The West Midlands will launch the UK’s largest hydrogen bus fleet. 124 hydrogen-fuelled buses will be added to the existing 20 buses, following the approval of a £30 million Department for Transport grant.
- Ammogen will deliver 200kg/day of transport-grade hydrogen to an existing and co-located hydrogen refuelling station at Tyseley Energy Park. The project – led by Gemserv and supported by Tyseley Energy Park, EQUANS, H2SITE, Yara International and Birmingham Energy Institute – aims to design, build, commission, and operate the world’s largest and most efficient ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion unit of its kind.
- Kew Technology’s flagship facility converts biomass and biomass-rich waste streams into hydrogen-rich synthetic syngas. It is critical to showcase commercial-scale waste-to-molecules and CCUS solutions before making them available to the market for industrial and advanced fuel solutions.
- HyProMag is the UK’s first commercial-scale centre for rare earth magnet recycling. Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (HPMS) is a patented process developed by the University of Birmingham’s Magnetic Materials Group (MMG) and provides a sustainable solution for the supply of NdFeB magnets and alloys for a wide range of markets including automotive and electronics.
Opportunities in the UK hydrogen market
The UK has a growing need for hydrogen innovation and production. Being situated in the geographic heart of the UK, having cultural expertise in manufacturing, and acting as the long-standing strategic centre of the UK energy market makes the West Midlands the location to provide the country’s needs.
Hydrogen fuel cells for long-range transport
The UK Government has pledged for all HGVs to have net-zero emissions by 2040. Our region’s central location and national importance to logistics operations will prove crucial in decarbonising HGVs in key haulage, commercial and construction supply chains.
The West Midlands’ unique collaborative ecosystem, with its wealth of R&D and innovation assets, boasts significant strengths in advancing battery technology at pace. Building on the existing manufacturing skills base, regional assets such as the Advanced Propulsion Centre, are working with businesses and local academic, industrial, and public sector partners to demonstrate the commercial use of hydrogen fuel cells.
New synergies across transport and manufacturing sectors are accelerating opportunities in hydrogen HGVs, from design and performance and hydrogen refuelling stations, to dynamic hydrogen supply chains.
Manufacturing hydrogen products across the supply chain
The West Midlands is the UK’s leading manufacturing sector, generating £16bn GVA to the UK economy. Our region’s SME-led supply chains are agile and responsive to market demand, engaging with specialist research centres of excellence such as the Manufacturing Technology Centre, and world-class universities dedicated to developing net-zero technologies.
Supported by a clear local industrial strategy and a strong focus on emerging green technologies, the West Midland’s local talent pool is equipped with the skills to manufacture hydrogen components for electrolysers, fuel cell production and engines.
Hydrogen projects and startups in the UK, West Midlands
The Energy Research Accelerator (ERA)
With access to funding and our region’s R&D facilities, companies can work with the ERA on projects that help shape the future of the UK’s energy landscape. Funded by Innovate UK, the ERA works with partners to undertake innovative research like H2GVMIDS – a demonstrator programme for a green-hydrogen-fuelled 44-tonne truck.
This is just one of the projects that the ERA is working on and involves Adelan and HORIBA MIRA from the private sector. The project also draws on the capabilities of Tyseley Energy Park, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the University of Birmingham. The ERA is now seeking funding to undertake a full-stage demonstration which will see several hydrogen-powered HGVs operating in the Midlands.
New Partnerships
Our region’s ambitious 2041 net-zero commitment to tackle climate change unlocks new opportunities for innovative companies at the forefront of decarbonised transport. Birmingham Airport is working with ZeroAvia on an early-stage concept for a hydrogen-electric aircraft. Their partnership is exploring solar power on-site at the airport as a source of renewable energy to produce hydrogen for refuelling across commercial applications such as early flight demonstrations, road vehicles and local buses.
Hydrogen R&D and Innovation Regional Assets
Tyseley Energy Park (TEP)
TEP’s Motive Hydrogen Refuelling Station is the UK’s first multi-fuel, open-access, low and zero-carbon refuelling station. Taking power from a dedicated offshore wind turbine and generating zero-carbon, fuel-cell-grade hydrogen, the site can produce over a tonne of hydrogen per day (enough to power 40 buses for a day). The TEP refuelling station is part of the Birmingham Transport Plan, supporting the introduction and supply of cleaner fuels to improve air quality across the City.
The Centre for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research (CHFCR)
The internationally acclaimed CHFCR at the University of Birmingham is exploring the production and storage of hydrogen fuel cell technology. H2SSHIPS is an EU project funded by Interreg North-West Europe and will develop infrastructure for shipping using hydrogen propulsion. Other commercial applications include the design and production of fuel cell equipment for domestic energy supply, power generation, and portable battery replacers.
Centre for Advanced Low Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS)
Coventry University’s £20m C-ALPS facility has a strong track record of working with OEMs, tier 1s and SMEs. Businesses can benefit from access to testbeds such as the hydrogen research laboratory and vehicle workshop, where they can prototype hydrogen propulsion systems for automotive, aerospace, marine and rail industries. Support is available with funding applications via Innovate UK, EPSRC and APC.
Energy & Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI)
Aston University’s EBRI facility provides eight state-of-the-art analytical and processing laboratories, each dedicated to a different area of research, where multinationals and SMEs alike can drive innovation and make a real change. The institute is a recognised leader in hydrogen and fuel cell R&D, innovating renewable fuels, high-hydrogen syngas, and biomass gasification.
Ceres & HORIBA MIRA
Ceres and HORIBA MIRA, in collaboration, have created a new testing centre for hydrogen fuel cells. The 240m2 facility, located at HORIBA MIRA’s headquarters in the West Midlands, will enhance the UK’s delivery of new hydrogen fuel cell technology.
HORIBA MIRA, a global expert in automotive testing and consultancy services, offer companies testing-as-a-service partnerships that help accelerate new technologies to market.
Repowering the Black Country – a new model for industrial hydrogen opportunities
Home to 3,500 energy-intense manufacturing businesses, such as iron and steel processing, the Black Country’s vision is to create a network of zero-carbon industrial hubs.
Embedded in a community of over 30,000 businesses, the smaller scale and dispersed nature of these businesses provide opportunities in hydrogen, carbon capture, and carbon storage to develop new infrastructure and technology.
Hydrogen production, storage and distribution in the region will allow businesses to demonstrate a model for decarbonisation across the UK, where industries integrated into residential areas make energy demand currently difficult to manage.
Grace Kneafsey, our hydrogen sector expert, said:
“The future of hydrogen is being driven by the West Midlands. Our world-class research and testing facilities, alongside a broad and long-standing energy sector, have laid fantastic foundations for innovation, ready for international companies to capitalise on and thrive.
“From next-generation hydrogen fuel cells to the use of hydrogen for the recycling of rare-earth metals, the region is leading the way in new products and commercial testbeds. Indeed, the recent announcement on funding for Kew Technology’s ‘real-world‘ demonstration of waste-to-hydrogen solutions is another impressive development. I’m excited to see what is next for the West Midlands hydrogen sector, as it helps to make the UK Government’s 2040 zero-carbon goals a reality.
“Contact me or any of our sector experts to find out how we can help you set up in the UK market. Our aid is free of charge and delivers a comprehensive package that helps you quickly establish and scale a business in the West Midlands.”
Grace Kneafsey, Low Carbon Senior Business Development Manager with the West Midlands Growth Company.
Free support services
We bring together a project team from relevant organisations across the region. This team includes property agents, recruitment consultants, public sector departments and universities. It delivers a comprehensive support package to quickly and easily help you establish and scale your business in the UK.
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