THE days of heavy polluting transport could be numbered – thanks to two forward-looking companies. They have joined forces to put hydrogen-powered, emissions-free vehicles on the roads.
ITM Power – Europe’s largest electrolyser and fuel-cell development company – and Roush Technologies – one of the world’s foremost automotive design, engineering and development groups – both based in the UK, have signed an agreement that could see CO2-free, hydrogen-fuelled commercial vehicles being marketed soon.
Roush, which has extensive experience in the commercial vehicle sector, is responsible for adapting existing petrol/diesel engines and researching the development of new power units to use hydrogen fuel. Unlike petrol or diesel fuel, when hydrogen burns, it releases no carbon dioxide (CO2), merely water vapour.
ITM will provide the breakthrough refuelling solution by enabling vehicle operators to generate their own hydrogen fuel.
Using a patented electrolyser – expected to enter production at ITM’s facility in Sheffield, northern England, later this year – it is possible to make hydrogen fuel wherever there is a supply of electricity and water.
The advances in electrolysis technology that ITM has achieved address the hydrogen infrastructure issue by using the already developed electricity and water distribution network.
The electrolyser can produce hydrogen from water and any source of electricity including off-peak or renewable energy – power generated by wind, wave or solar power.
This agreement will enable both parties jointly to offer a complete package of hydrogen refuelling systems and hydrogen vehicles to customers.
It is anticipated that first sales will be to large commercial or local government organisations that wish to demonstrate a commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. Marketing to third parties will start as soon as possible.
ITM Power’s chief executive officer Jim Heathcote said: “This is a significant cooperative agreement between two companies who are committed to bringing practical hydrogen power into the automotive market place within a dramatically reduced timeframe.”
Andrew Williams, Roush’s executive chairman, added: “While it initially involves the commercial vehicle sector, it will demonstrate the wider potential of hydrogen technology to help cut CO2 emissions and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
“Both our companies recognise that bringing emission-free energy technologies forward and to market requires an integrated approach. This involves the production and supply chain for the fuel, together with the development and applications engineering which enables its effective use.
“In context, this agreement acknowledges the considerable synergy between us, and the major benefits and opportunities which will flow from it,” he added.
ITM Power is a developer of low-cost hydrogen technologies. It has developed new materials and processes that dramatically reduce the cost of fuel-cells and electrolysers.
The patented membrane materials used in the devices have higher performance and are one per cent of the cost of the industry-standard materials.
Electrolysers work by converting water and electricity into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen produced can be used as a replacement for fossil fuels and facilitate zero-carbon domestic housing and pollution-free motoring.
ITM Power was founded in 2000 and floated on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market in June 2004.
Roush Technologies is one of Europe’s leading providers of advanced design and engineering services, specialising in the development of powertrains and related systems.
It serves a diverse portfolio of multi-tier automotive and non-automotive clients, across a broad spectrum of industries including car and commercial vehicle, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, defence and energy.
Established in the UK in 1995, Roush Technologies was acquired from its US parent, Roush Industries, by an investor group in 2007.
ITM Power, Mill House, Royston Road, Wendens Ambo, Saffron Walden, Essex, United Kingdom, CB11 4JX Tel: +44 1799 542 222
Website: www.itm-power.com