Hydrogen
Low-carbon businesses can thrive here in the West Midlands.
The region is scaling innovative technologies for hydrogen use, replacing intensive fossil fuel processes to create a new hydrogen economy in a more sustainable world. The West Midlands rail and aerospace industry clusters are the heart of UK transport innovation, letting businesses in the region angle their strategy to develop and build real use cases for hydrogen.
Demand is also soaring. The UK government has recently doubled its 2030 hydrogen production capacity target to 10GW, leaving plentiful opportunities for commercial hydrogen applications across the region, as the transition to low-carbon energy sources is not only desired, but demanded.
Existing hydrogen projects in the West Midlands
The West Midlands’ strengths in hydrogen innovation and application are best understood when viewing the broad range of existing projects in the region:
- The West Midlands already has 20 hydrogen fuelled buses currently on the road, and a fleet of 124 more will soon be operational following a £30 million Department for Transport grant.
- Ammogen are aiming to deliver 200kg/day of transport-grade hydrogen to existing refuelling stations at Tylseley Energy Park to fuel vehicles such as hydrogen buses. Supported by Tyseley Energy Park, EQUANS, H2SITE, Yara International and the Birmingham Energy Institute, Ammogen plan to achieve this ambitious goal by building and operating the world’s largest, and most efficient, ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion unit of its kind.
- Kew Technology’s flagship facility in Wednesbury converts biomass and waste into hydrogen-rich synthetic syngas, planning to make this fuel available to the market for industrial and advanced fuel solutions, particularly in areas that are perceived as challenging to decarbonise.
- HyProMag, now owned by Maginito Limited, is the UK’s first commercial scale centre for rare earth magnet recycling. Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap, or HPMS, is a patented process developed by the University of Birmingham’s Magnetic Materials Group, providing a sustainable solution for magnet supplies, that offers alloys for a breadth of markets, from automotive to electronic.
Opportunities in the UK hydrogen market
The UK has a growing need for hydrogen innovation and production, and the West Midlands is the place to deliver. Situated in the geographic heart of the UK, possessing expertise in manufacturing, and being the strategic centre of UK energy markets makes it the region that aides strategies focused on scaling and sustaining.
Delivering hydrogen fuel for long-range transport
One of these needs is the development of Hydrogen fuel cells for long-range transport. The government has pledged for all HGVs to have net-zero emissions by 2040, and the West Midlands is leading the country with ambitious targets of being net zero by 2041. The West Midlands’ unique collaborative ecosystem, with its wealth of R&D and innovation assets, boasts significant strengths in advancing sustainable technologies at a pace that meets targets. Regional assets such as the Advanced Propulsion Centre are working with local commercial, industrial, academic and public sector partners to garner interest in hydrogen as a fuel source, building demand.
This growing synergy is accelerating opportunities in hydrogen HGVs and dynamic hydrogen supply chains.
Manufacturing hydrogen products across the supply chain
The West Midlands is the UK’s leading manufacturing sector, generating £16.3bn GVA to the UK economy. Our region’s SME-led supply chains have the advantage of being agile and responsive to demand, and world-class universities are at any prospective energy company’s fingertips. Supported by a clear local strategy and strong focus on green technologies, the skills and ambition for a clean future can be found here.
Adelan’s hydrogen technology
Adelan is a West Midlands-based hydrogen company that has operated within the region for over three decades, one that followed a trend of scaled success from starting in the region’s green technology ecosystem. The company was started by the Kendall family, who have been proponents for hydrogen technologies from the moment they began operating, to the extent that company head Dr. Michaela Kendall was voted the UK’s Hydrogen Champion by international experts.
Facilities like the Tyseley Energy Park have generated opportunities for Adelan, and many others to thrive, and the company itself operates out of Birmingham’s own STEAMhouse, developing innovations in hydrogen fuel cell technology, as well as providing a range of services to customers on projects including UAVs and road vehicles.
Regional Hydrogen Assets
Tyseley Energy Park (TEP)
The TEP Motive Hydrogen Refuelling Station is the UK’s first multi-fuel, open-access station for refuelling low and zero-carbon vehicles. Powered by dedicated offshore wind turbines and generating zero-carbon, fuel-cell-grade hydrogen, he site can produce over a tonne of hydrogen per day (enough to power the West Midlands’ 20 operational hydrogen buses for two days.) The 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 exciting possibilities of hydrogen fuel cell technology, including H2SSHIPS. An EU funded project by Interreg North-West Europe, H2SSHIPS plans to develop infrastructure for commercial shipping using hydrogen propulsion. The CHFCR is also working on commercial applications for fuel cell equipment in domestic energy supply, and portable battery replacers.
Centre for Advanced Low Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS)
Coventry University’s £20 million C-ALPS facility has a strong track record of working with SMEs and OEMs. With testbed facilities including the hydrogen research laboratory and vehicle workshop, where hydrogen propulsion systems for transport industries at large can be tested, any business building in the region can find support and even funding through Innovate UK, EPSRC, and APC.
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, offers companies testing-as-a-service partnerships that help accelerate new technologies to market.
Repowering the Black Country with a new model for industrial hydrogen
The Black Country is home to 3,000 energy-intense manufacturing businesses, and their vision is to build a network of zero-carbon industrial hubs to transform the manufacturing industry. Hydrogen production, storage, and distribution in areas like the Black Country and across the region will allow businesses to demonstrate a decarbonisation model that can both manage energy demand and be widely available.
Embedded in a community of over 30,000 businesses, the smaller scale and dispersed nature of the area’s ecosystem provide agile opportunities in hydrogen that can scale fast and find support faster.
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.
Oliver Burrows
Industrial and Life SciencesSenior Business Development Executive
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