Latest News on the UK Hydrogen Economy - 16/03/22

Ames Goldsmith Ceimig, as a manufacturer of catalysts such as Iridium Oxide, Iridium Ruthenium Oxide, Iridium Black, Platinum Black & Platinum on Carbon support, are strong supports of the emerging Hydrogen Economy and supply many manufacturers of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology including PEM Electrolysers and PEM Fuel Cells.

In the UK we are members of the UKHFCA & SHFCA. Here are some of the recent developments in Hydrogen happening in the UK and affecting the Hydrogen Economy more broadly:

HyPer – A New Range of Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cells & Water Electrolysers - Weblink

Ames Goldsmith Ceimig shows further commitment and backing to PEM technology through the launch of its new HyPerTM range of platinum and iridium-based catalysts for fuel cells and water electrolysers.

Ames Goldsmith Ceimig is a division of the Ames Goldsmith Corporation, a global specialist in precious metal chemistry. The Ceimig division specialises in PGM catalysts for the new energy and safety markets. The new range of fuel cell and electrolyser catalysts, HyPerTM, has been the culmination of over 2 years of development work by a cross company team of UK & US scientists. Their focus has been on optimising the deposition of metal on supports through improve techniques, screening & identifying the best support materials and applying postproduction treatments to improve performance.

New Head Chemist @ Ceimig - Weblink

Ames Goldsmith Ceimig are pleased to announce the appointment of a new Head Chemist - Dr Zac Dehaney-Steven.

Zac will lead our rapidly expanding team of chemists at our Dundee manufacturing site. His focus will be on scale-up of production, improvements in efficiency and research & development.

Dr Dehaney-Steven joins the team at a time of great expansion for Ceimig following the addition of two PhD's to the team in 2021 - Dr Christopher Lancefield - R&D Chemist & Dr Douglas Stewart - Principal Electrochemist.

‘Our switch to renewables and hydrogen will make us truly independent of Russia,’ says European Commission President - Weblink

With countries from around the globe coming together to impose sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, spoke of the role hydrogen can have in displacing Russian gas dependency.

Addressing the sanctions and the Russian invasion, Leyen said, “Our investments today will make us more independent tomorrow. I am thinking, first and foremost, about our energy security. We simply cannot rely so much on a supplier that explicitly threatens us.

Call for proposals: Europe is investing €300.5 million in clean hydrogen technologies - Weblink

The Clean Hydrogen Partnership is launching its first call for proposals – over €300 million will be made available for supporting projects, in an unprecedented drive to boost the development of cutting-edge hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. A total of 41 topics make up this call for proposals, including 10 for renewable hydrogen production, 11 for hydrogen storage and distribution, 8 for transport and 4 for heat and power. In addition, 5 projects will support cross-cutting issues. This call will also support 2 hydrogen valleys and 1 strategic research challenge.

Through its first call for proposals , the Clean Hydrogen Partnership will provide €300.5 million to support projects that boost renewable hydrogen production, reduce its costs, develop its storage and distribution solutions, and stimulate the use of low carbon hydrogen in hard to abate sectors, such as energy intensive industries, aviation or heavy duty transport.

Smart hydrogen hybrid heating system successfully trialed in the UK - Weblink

An all-new smart hydrogen hybrid heating system has completed successful trials in Pembrokeshire, UK, marking a key milestone for the future decarbonisation of domestic heating.

Believed to be a world first, the demonstration saw a combined hydrogen-fuelled boiler with an electric air-source heat pump alongside smart control technology at the Port of Milford Haven, the UK’s largest energy port.

The trial was carried out by a collaboration of partners – Port of Milford Haven, Passiv UK, Wales & West Utilities, Kiwa UK, Worcester Bosch, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and Pembrokeshire County Council – each of which are committed to achieving the UK’s net zero ambitions.

bp, Aberdeen City Council to develop city H2 hub - Weblink

Aberdeen City Council and bp signed an agreement to form a joint venture partnership that will deliver a scalable green hydrogen production, storage and distribution facility in the city powered by renewable energy.

The Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub is to be developed in three phases in response to growing demands for hydrogen. Phase one, which involves delivery of a green hydrogen production and transport refueling facility powered by a solar farm, is targeting first production from 2024, delivering over 800 kg/d of green hydrogen – enough to fuel 25 buses and a similar number of other fleet vehicles.

Aberdeen City Council and bp – which will operate the joint venture under the name bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited – have committed £3 MM for initial design work with a final investment decision for the phase one facility build expected in early 2023.

Fuel cells enter luxury market - Weblink

Support for hydrogen came from unexpected quarters in 2021. British luxury vehicle manufacturer Jaguar reported last June that its Land Rover brand would be developing a prototype of a hydrogen-powered Defender. CEO Thierry Bolloré had previously announced plans to decarbonize all vehicle models by 2036 as part of his Reimagine strategy. However, the first all-electric version of an SUV is not due to launch until 2024 at the earliest. Nick Rogers, who heads up JLR’s product development, told vision mobility magazine: “It’s absolutely really, really important; we truly believe that hydrogen has a real place and opportunity, particularly in the bigger vehicles.”