Hydrogen fuel cells a regional front-runner
Ground-breaking ‘green’ fuel-cell technology is being trialled in Sunderland with the help of transport experts from China.
Development agency One North East is backing ECO2Trans, a high-tech engineering solution that is spearheading advances in hydrogen propulsion systems.
Sunderland University’s Institute of Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP), Shanghai’s Shen Li High Technology and VID Vehicles are collaborating on the project.
It has involved converting two electric Gulliver U500EUK buses into hydrogen vehicles using a fuel cell, battery and capacitor combination.
Hydrogen cells produce water as the only waste product, and are one of a range of ultra-low-carbon and zero-emission vehicles being developed in the North East.
Says AMAP researcher Dirk Kok: “Visitors from Shen Li have helped us to understand the fuel-cell operation, train us in its use and help mount it in the buses.
“These vehicles will act as a test bed to evaluate novel hydrogen technologies in vehicles, and will enhance the region’s status as an important automotive research-and-development centre.”
AVID Managing Director Ryan Maughan said: “This is cutting-edge technology that is helping develop the workforce of the future with the required skill set in low carbon vehicle technology.”
The project is intended to educate people, act as a catalyst for the development of the hydrogen infrastructure in the region and help to stimulate growth in the sector.
Said One North East’s Helen Armstrong: “This is another catalyst for the development of the power distribution and charging infrastructure for low-carbon vehicles in the region.”
