Wales hopeful of heading Europe's hydrogen economy
A new renewable hydrogen research and demonstration centre, to be built in 2007or 2008, is intended to put Wales at the forefront of European efforts to develop hydrogen communities. Funded in part by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the National Assembly for Wales and the University of Glamorgan, the Centre will facilitate academic and industry research and demonstration projects on the viability and safety of producing hydrogen from the abundant renewable resources available naturally in Wales. Half of the building is designed to house equipment such as an electrolizer, hydrogen compression and storage facilities, while the other half will accommodate offices and a display, demonstration and educational area. Hydrogen will initially be produced by electrolysis using wind and solar power, and will be used in stationary fuel cells and in vehicles. The electricity will come from photovoltaics (solar cells), and from remote wind turbines via a data link. It will demonstrate energy savings through peak-lopping - a system to smooth out the peaks and troughs of energy production by converting surplus energy into hydrogen via electrolysis and storing it for conversion back into energy. It is anticipated that the Centre will link in with other production facilities throughout South Wales to form the 'hydrogen highway'. 'Rather than an isolated one-off demonstration, this project is to provide the basis for a range of hydrogen energy and transport activities. The intention of the project is to put Wales at the forefront of European efforts to develop hydrogen communities,' explains Dennis Hawkes, who is leading the project. 'The new centre will bring together technology and expertise and will provide a platform for new business development, growth and employment in the region.'
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