Hydrogen Technologies

There is massive potential for hydrogen to play an important role in achieving low carbon energy systems. To contribute to a low-carbon economy, hydrogen must be produced sustainably including renewable energy sources, biomass and from byproducts of other chemicals. This hydrogen can then be burnt to generate low or zero carbon energy.

Hydrogen is also a clean and sustainable energy carrier that can be easily stored in highly concentrated form and moved around. This hydrogen energy is directly usable for efficient electricity generation in fuel cells for numerous applications including vehicles. This can bring about major improvements in air quality and enhance security of energy supply removing the intermittency of solar, wind and marine electricity generation.

As an example, efficient, hydrogen fuelled vehicles can eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the fuel supply chain, contributing to the Welsh Assembly Government’s targets of reduced emissions.

Research Areas

• H2 Energy Storage: integrating H2 with renewables like wind & solar, for energy storage during excess generation
• H2/ CH4 Vehicles & Refuelling Infrastructure: developing vehicle engine test facilities and a refuelling network in South Wales
• Bio H2/ CH4 Process Development:  analysis of the potential for H2 produced from local organic resources, of required technologies, supply chains and an optimised production platform
• Recovery and Clean Up of Product Gases & Intermediates: investigation of the technologies available / required to clean up biological / industrial waste gases for use in fuel cells, engines & the gas grid
• Development of Product Gas, Intermediate & By-Product End Uses
• Economic & Life Cycle Assessment – Quantifying economic & environmental sustainability of  processes and products
• Disseminating knowledge: to encourage uptake of H2 products and processes