A new research facility planned in Emersons Green will produce and store green hydrogen, a fuel considered key to decarbonising planes, ships and lorries. Researchers at the hydrogen plant will develop the emerging technology which could be vital in fighting climate change.
The aviation, shipping and freight sectors currently emit a huge amount of greenhouse gases, and planes, ships and lorries are too large to be powered by electric batteries. These emissions could be massively cut with green hydrogen, but the fuel is very costly to make.
The new hydrogen plant in Emersons Green will aim to bring down the cost of producing green hydrogen, making it a viable climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels for long distance transport. The project is receiving £2.5 million of funding from the West of England combined authority, and will be based at the IAAPS hydrogen research centre in Emersons Green.
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South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage said: “This will create a new and unique green hydrogen production, storage and research facility within the IAAPS building which is set within the West of England’s premium science park. And it’s a UK first, it’s the first liquid hydrogen and cryogenic cooling capability that will help us deliver the power demands of zero-emissions advanced propulsion technologies.
“It’s over 250 new jobs, safeguarding around 50, and then adding over £30 million to our regional economy each year. It’s important to see IAAPS as another jewel in the crown of innovation and technology that we have across the region.”
West of England mayor Dan Norris added: “This is a key bit of science and it’s great that we are looking at a hydrogen production, storage and research facility, making sure that we’re a leader, not just in the UK but around the world. There’s a lot of competition in the UK, and I’m determined that we’re the ones who are ahead of everybody else.”
Green hydrogen technology is still in its very early stages. The fuel is made from water by removing the oxygen through a process called electrolysis, which requires a lot of energy. Most ‘grey’ hydrogen is currently made through fossil-fuel powered electrolysis, whereas green hydrogen is made through electrolysis powered by renewable energy.
