This document is concerned with hydrogen’s potential as an important alternative fuel to replace hydrocarbon fuels in future low carbon energy systems. The term “hydrogen energy” covers all aspects of the use of hydrogen in energy systems, from the production of hydrogen from primary or secondary fuels, through the storage and distribution of hydrogen, to the end-use of hydrogen (usually but not exclusively in fuel cells) in stationary, transport, and portable applications. Fuel cell research is covered under a separate fuel cells landscape document. This landscape covers all other aspects of hydrogen research.
Hydrogen is an energy carrier, complementary to electricity and carbon-free at the pointof use. It can be produced in many ways, including steam-reforming of natural gas (approximately 95 of current production), biomass gasification, and electrolysis of water, with the overall carbon emissions from the fuel chain depending on the primary fuel used and any associated carbon capture and storage processes. Novel sustainable production routes are being studied including fermentation processes, photo-electrolysis and thermo-chemical cycles driven by solar or nuclear heat.
Hydrogen has the highest energy density per unit mass of any chemical fuel, but its low density results in a comparatively low energy density per unit volume. For stationary applications, hydrogen can be stored more easily than electricity. For mobile applications, space restrictions and hydrogen’s low density result in potentially unacceptable restrictions to vehicle range. Conventional solutions such as hydrogen liquefaction (energy intensive, requiring at least 30 additional energy) and hydrogen compression (very high pressures >700 bar needed to maintain conventional vehicle range) have net energy and safety implications, so research is focussing on solid-state storage using, for example, metal hydrides.
The socio-economic and environmental “whole system” impact of hydrogen, including transition scenarios, required infrastructural development, potential support mechanisms, and consumer attitudes, are important research topics. While hydrogen is generally considered for mobile applications, it has a wider potential role in grid-balancing, alongside other technologies.
Research Challenges
A hydrogen energy system, at any scale, must be justified in terms of its economic advantage or significant environmental benefit. In both the stationary heat/power and transport markets, hydrogen and fuel cells will have to compete with incumbent fuel technologies (natural gas and petroleum) with fully developed infrastructures. Early support through demonstration and, at a later date, suitable designed incentives would be necessary to move towards a diverse energy system involving hydrogen. A key research challenge is to assess the “whole system” viability of such low carbon energy economies and their socio-economic and environmental costs and benefits.
At the same time, there remain significant technical challenges in hydrogen-based low carbon pathways, namely:
Hydrogen and fuel cells technologies promise low carbon, clean energy solutions at all scales within the energy system. Their potentially disruptive nature and problems of integration with the existing energy system has led to major international research programmes and “road-mapping” activities. Major international programmes include the European Commission’s investment in the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (see: http://www.fch-ju.eu/ ) and the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program in the United States (see: http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/).
The UK government has maintained a “watching brief” for some years and acted to underpin the research base with major projects funded through the EPSRC: Supergen Hydrogen Energy Consortium (UK-SHEC), Supergen Delivery of Sustainable Hydrogen and the more recent formationof the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Supergen Hub. A recent meeting of leading UK hydrogen researchers convened by the UKERC at the Meeting Place 1 concluded that the UK hydrogen research community has “relatively few gaps” and an “appropriate range of knowledge/skills and activities to address future challenges”. However, hydrogen and fuel cells are not currently considered either a short or medium term development priority for the UK government (see, for example, the lack of substantial mention in “Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity”, July 2011) and the UK “lags badly behind Germany, the United States and Japan” 1 with regard to the kind of large scale demonstration projects required to capitalise on the UK knowledge base and develop native commercial expertise.
In 2010, the Energy Research Partnership commissioned a report2 from the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Group of the Energy Generation and Supply Knowledge Transfer Network (EG&S KTN) to review the level of UK international engagement in fuel cells and hydrogen. This study, performed by Synnogy on behalf of the EG&S KTN concluded with a Capability Matrix reproduced below .
The EG&S KTN report updated a previous study 3 carried out by Eoin Lees Energy, E4Tech and Element Energy on behalf of the DTI: “A strategic framework for hydrogen energy in the UK” (2004), summarising the main strengths and weaknesses of UK activities throughout the hydrogen energy chain. Specifically for hydrogen R&D, the report identified work at national and international level in hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and conversion, although specific projects were not identified. An interpreted summary of these findings is given in table 2.
UK role in international engagement in hydrogen and fuel cells in 2010 capability matrix
| Name |
Description |
Sub-topics covered |
No of staff |
Field |
| Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen | The University has four key research themes: Health and Welfare, Energy and the Environment, Creative Industries, Knowledge Economy | Hydrogen Production | | Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering |
School of Biosciences,
University of Birmingham | Biological production of hydrogen | Hydrogen Production - Biological hydrogen production from crops and sugar wastes
| | Biological Sciences |
| Theory, Modelling and Informatics Interest Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge | The theoretical research and modelling carried out at CUC3 covers a broad range of topics in theoretical and quantum chemistry, condensed matter physics, surface science, and statistical mechanics of complex and disordered systems including macromolecular aggregates. | Hydrogen Production - Quantum chemistry, intermolecular forces and spectroscopy
| | Chemistry |
| Cambridge Synthesis Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge | Development of artificial photosynthetic systems, which either mimic photobiological energy generation and/or incorporate enzymes directly in biotechnologically relevant hybrid systems | Hydrogen Production - Artificial photosynthesis
- Biomimetic chemistry
- Redox catalysis
| | Chemistry |
| Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge | Combustion group interested in gasification of biomass and waste materials and operation of fluidised beds | Hydrogen Production | | Chemical Engineering |
| School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh | Recover and purify hydrogen for industrial gas streams | Hydrogen Production - Nano-porous adsorbents
- Hydrogen purification
| | Chemical engineering |
| Energy & Resources Research Institute, University of Leeds | The Energy and Resources Research Institute (ERRI) is a major pioneering force of international standing within the disciplines of energy and resources. | Hydrogen Production | | Chemical Engineering |
| Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool | Photocatalysis | Hydrogen Production - Doped metal-oxide nanotubes
| | Chemistry |
| Energy Futures Lab, Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College London | | Hydrogen Production - Photo-catalytic and photo-biological routes to hydrogen
| | Materials
Chemistry |
| Department of Materials, Imperial College London | Research in the Department is centred around four main themes: Biomaterials, Ceramics and Glasses, Metals and Nanotechnology | Hydrogen Production - Intermediate temperature solid oxide electrolysers for hydrogen production
| | Metallurgy and Materials |
| The Centre for CO2 technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London (UCL) | The Centre focuses on developing break-through technologies for the large scale reduction (e.g. alternative, low carbon, energy sources), removal (e.g. gas separation from flue emissions) and sequestration (e.g. long term storage in geological, terrestrial, and ocean systems) of carbon dioxide. Technologies for methane, the second most important greenhouse gas, are also being developed. | Hydrogen Production - Hydrogen production from steam gasification of biomass
| | Chemical engineering |
| Hydrogen Research Unit, Sustainable Environment Research Centre, University of Glamorgan | The Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC) investigates wastewater treatment and hydrogen production and use and has a well-equipped research laboratory | Hydrogen Production - H2 Wales
- Hydrogen production by fermentation
- Feasibility of Sustainable Hydrogen Production from Starch Industry co-products (Carbon Trust)
- Hydrogen production from wheat industry co-product (Carbon Trust)
- Other biological hydrogen production
| | Biological Sciences |
| Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University | Solar hydrogen | Hydrogen Production - Materials
- Devices
- Characterisation
| | Chemistry |
| School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, Newcastle University | PI of SUPERGEN: Delivery of Sustainable Hydrogen | Hydrogen Production - High temperature ceramic membranes
- Intermediate temperature proton-conducting membrane systems
- Syngas and hydrogen separation
| | Chemical engineering |
| Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford | The Laboratory is leading the UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (Supergen) | Hydrogen Production - Hydrogen production from hydrogenases
| | Chemistry |
| Process Fluidics Group, Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield | The work of the Group has 5 strands: Microfluidics and microchemical Engineering, Biophysicochemical hydrodynamics, Hydrogen production, Green chemistry, Power fluidics | Hydrogen Production | | Chemical Engineering |
| Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton | Photocatalysis | Hydrogen Production | | Chemistry |
| Chemistry, University of St Andrews | Production of hydrogen through electrolysis | Hydrogen Production - Technical lead partner for SUPERGEN: Delivery of Sustainable Hydrogen
| | Chemistry |
| Photocatalysis Research Group and Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ulster | The group aims to develop multi-layered semiconductor electrodes for the photo-splitting of water to give O2 and H2 under solar illumination. | Hydrogen Production - Multi-layered semiconductor electrodes for the direct photo-splitting of water
| | Chemistry
Metallurgy and Materials |
| Department of Chemistry, University College London (UCL) | Nanocrystalline photodiodes | Hydrogen Production | | |
| Synthetic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick | Science Cities: Hydrogen energy project | Hydrogen Production - Hydrogen generation from biomass
- Hydrogen storage methodology and characterisation
- Energy from hydrogen using fuel cells
| | Chemistry |
| Department of Chemistry, University of York | The interests of the group encompass materials and molecular chemistry, particularly the synthesis of molecules that exhibit interesting reactivity or catalytic activity and unusual routes to solid materials with photocatalytic application. | Hydrogen Production | | Chemistry |
| Adv. Materials and Porous Solids research group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath | The group is particularly prominent in the development of special carbon structures and porous oxides and structured adsorbents, which are used for hydrogen storage | Hydrogen Storage - Synthesis of structured porous solids for use as gas storage media (silica, MOF).
- One year research in TiO2 nanotubes and application for H2 storage
- Complex porous structures in carbons
- Hydrogen storage in nanoporous carbons
- Carbon nanotubes; molecular simulation
- Microporous membranes, carbons for gas storage
- Rhodium hydride clusters
| | Chemical engineering
Metallurgy and Materials |
| Department of Chemistry, University of Bath | Structural chemistry of hydrogenous materials | Hydrogen Storage - Neutron scattering from hydrogen containing compounds
- Redox switchable hydrogen storage materials
| | Chemistry |
| Centre for the Theory and Application of Catalysis (CenTACat), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University of Belfast | CenTACat undertakes multidisciplinary research involving chemists, physicists and engineers with a common interest in understanding the fundamental principles that underpin clean energy production, clean organic chemistry, and environmental protection | Hydrogen Storage - Porous Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF) and nanoscale coordination cages for chemical separation or storage technology
- Microporous solids
Hydrogen Storage - Reforming liquids (ethanol, water, oils) via catalysis for production of H2; storing as a liquid
| | Chemistry
Chemical Engineering |
| School of Chemistry, The University of Birmingham | Member of UK-SHEC
Novel materials for hydrogen storage. | Hydrogen Storage - Development of advanced hydrogen storage materials: chemical activation of magnesium-based alloys; synthesis of complex hydrides; synthesis of ion-exchanged zeolites
- Fuel cell and hydrogen store for integration into automobiles (FUCHSIA) EC Framework Programme 5 (ended April 2005)
| | Chemistry |
Hydrogen Materials Group,
Department of Metallurgy and Materials,
School of Engineering,
The University of Birmingham | Member of UK-SHEC
Member of EC FP6 NESSHY
Novel materials for solid-state hydrogen storage; use of hydrogen as a processing tool for functional materials, such as rare-earth magnets; hydrogen energy demonstration projects. | Hydrogen Storage - Development of advanced hydrogen storage materials: nanostructured magnesium-based alloys; complex hydrides, including borohydrides; nano-structured graphitic materials; metal organic framework materials (with project partners); zeolites (with the School of Chemistry); polymer-based hydrogen storage Materials (with Cardiff University and Manchester University)
- Hydrogen purification and separation: novel alloys for dense metal membranes; development of porous substrates for metal membranes
- Hydrogen processing of functional materials (e.g. rare-earth magnets, structural materials, etc.)
- Development of prototype solid-hydrogen stores (for lab use, and in hydrogen demonstration systems)
| | Chemistry
Metallurgy and Materials |
School of Chemistry,
Cardiff University | | Hydrogen Storage | | |
| ISIS, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot | The world’s leading pulsed neutron and muon source for research in physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and biology. | Hydrogen Storage - TOSCA neutron spectrometer used to study metal hydrides (binary, tertiary and catalysed/doped), zeolites, MOFs, metal oxide structures, nanotubes, doped graphite, Li3N, molecular solids, etc.
- Computational/experimental capability for data interpretation and prediction of thermodynamic properties
| | Metallurgy and Materials |
| Department of Chemistry, University of Glasgow | Synthesis, structure and physical properties of inorganic solids | Hydrogen Storage | | Chemistry |
| Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool | | Hydrogen Storage - H2 storage in carbon nanotubes
- Hydrogel nanoclathrates
| | Chemistry |
| Department of Chemistry, University College London (UCL) | High throughput inorganic nanomaterials discovery | Hydrogen Storage | | Chemistry |
| Department of Physics and Astronomy, Condensed Matter and Materials physics, University College London (UCL) | The group is investigating novel carbon-based materials for reversible hydrogen storage, hopefully up to and above the 6 by weight required by the automobile industry. | Hydrogen Storage - Theoretical studies of adsorption and diffusion of small molecules (CO2) in porous materials (zeolites, flexible MOF for low-mass storage materials)
- Carbonaceous materials and gas storage
- Molecular simulations in clay hydrates
| | Metallurgy and Materials |
| School of Chemistry, University of Manchester | | Hydrogen Storage - Storage of H2 in graphite nanofibres
- Polymer-based hydrogen storage materials (with Cardiff University and Univ. of Birmingham)
| | Chemistry |
| Northern Carbon Research Laboratories, University of Newcastle | The Northern Carbon Research Laboratories (NCRL) are part of the School of Natural Sciences, specialising in the study of all aspects of carbon science. | Hydrogen Storage - Carbon science
- Nano-porous materials for hydrogen storage
| | Chemistry |
| School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich | | Hydrogen Storage - Hydrogen Storage in Solid-Form,
- Nanostructural Materials Synthesis
| | Chemistry
Metallurgy and Materials |
| Advanced Materials Research Group, School of Mechanical Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham | The Advanced Materials Research Group carries out research at the forefront of materials processing, and at the interface of materials science and engineering. Their research is underpinned by “state-of-the-art” materials processing, and characterisation facilities and infrastructure. | Hydrogen Storage - Catalysed light metal hydrides
- Catalysed complex hydrides
- Graphitic Nanofibres (GNFs)
- Metallo-Organic Framework Polymers (MOFs)
- Ternary BCC
- Design of storage systems
- Hydrogen storage in carbon materials
- Metal hydrides and metal carbides
- Construction of Transition Metal chains, sheets and matrices (Ni, Cu Zn with N- and S- bridging ligands).
- Mesoporous molecular sieves
- Preparation of coordination framework polymers and networks, micro-and meso-porous materials for H2 storage.
- Metal hydrides (lithium nitrides/amide/imides)
| | Chemical Engineering
Metallurgy and Materials |
| School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham | The common feature of Inorganic Chemistry at Nottingham is the use, study and understanding of novel molecular interactions or unusual synthetic or engineering procedures to yield new compounds, properties, catalysis and function. | Hydrogen Storage - Crystal Engineering (coordination porous framework structures, organic-inorganic hybrid materials for use in H2 storage
| | Chemical Engineering
Metallurgy and Materials |
| Advanced Materials Research Group, School of Chemical, Environmental and Mining Engineering, University of Nottingham | The programme of research in advanced carbon materials encompasses carbon nanotubes and fibres, hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications and coal carbonisation. | Hydrogen Storage - Hydrogen storage on carbon nanofibres and related materials
| | Chemical Engineering
Metallurgy and Materials |
| Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford | The Laboratory is leading the UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (UK-SHEC) within EPSRC s Supergen programme.
The laboratory covers coordination and organometallic chemistry, catalysis, solid-state and surface chemistry, electrochemistry, the study of proteins, enzymes and the role of magnetic species in biological systems, hydrogen production from hydrogenases, and the application of a variety of spectroscopic and diffraction techniques. | Hydrogen Storage - Metal hydrides
- Carbons
- Materials for H2 storage
| | Chemistry |
| Institute for Materials Research, University of Salford | The Institute was established in 1999 to provide a focus for research on materials at the University. Its members, both scientists and engineers, are active in the development, characterisation and exploitation of new materials, both structural and functional. | Hydrogen Storage - Zeolites/carbonaceous materials; computational modelling of hydrides
- Carbon Nanotubes; neutron scattering with hydrogen as a surface probe; complex lightweight hydrides
- Computational studies of Metal hydride systems;
- Hydrides and Carbon nanotubes; X-ray neutron diffraction (and powder X-ray)
| | Chemistry
Metallurgy and Materials |
| Research Institute for Industry, University of Southampton | The Research Institute for Industry, RIfI, is a cutting edge applied research organisation able to support and collaborate with industry in the specialist fields of engineering. | Hydrogen Storage - Hydrogen storage by sorption in TiO2 nanotubes
- Borohydride fuel cells and redox flow cells
| | Chemistry
Metallurgy and Materials |
| School of Chemistry, University of St. Andrews | The focus of the Materials activity is clustered around the St Andrews Centre for Advanced Materials. This grouping brings together those working in Energy Materials, Porous Solids, Catalysis and Surface Science as well as physicists and geoscientists. There is a significant level of applied research interfacing with new battery technologies and Materials for Clean Energy. | Hydrogen Storage - High temperature electrolysis of water using solid oxide proton conductors
- MOF and zeolites for the storage of NO.
| | Chemistry |
| Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick | | Hydrogen Storage - Metallic nanoparticles for hydrogen storage
| | Chemistry |
| Future Power Systems Group, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham | Combustion and energy conversion technologies, alternative fuels and hydrogen | Hydrogen End-use - exhaust gas and autothermal fuel reforming
| | |
| School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University | Clean low carbon vehicles | Hydrogen End-use - engine combustion,
- performance and emissions under simulated conditions with addition of N2-H2 mixtures
| | Automotive engineering |
| Department of Chemistry, Cardiff University | Clean low carbon vehicles | Hydrogen End-use - Catalysis of reforming reactions at moderate temperature
| | Chemistry |
| Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath | Transition pathways to a low carbon economy | Cross-cutting and whole systems | | Engineering |
| Doctoral Training Centre in Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications, The Universities of Birmingham, Loughborough & Nottingham | The Birmingham Fuel Cells Group has recently been awarded 5million (EPSRC) for the creation and running of a Doctoral Training Centre in Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications, the first of its kind in the UK. | Cross-cutting and whole systems | | |
| Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London | The Centre for Environmental Policy provides a unique interface between science and technology and the economic and policy context in which it is developed and applied. Its focus is on environmental and development issues, including energy, pollution, conservation of natural resources, food security and poverty reduction. | Cross-cutting and whole systems | | Politics and International Studies |
| Centre for Fire & Explosion Studies, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University | Hydrogen fire safety | Cross-cutting and whole systems - Fire and explosion modelling
- Environmental flow modelling
| | Safety |
| Environment Group,Policy Studies Institute (PSI), London | PSI is an independent research institute, conducting research to promote economic well-being and improve quality of life. PSI has a reputation for the rigorous and impartial evaluation of policy in the UK and Europe. | Cross-cutting and whole systems - Socio-economic issues
- Modelling of energy systems
- Public perception
| | Sociology
Economics and Econometrics |
| Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University | Research work is focused on specialist areas including product engineering, advanced separation technologies, and safety, environment and loss prevention. | Cross-cutting and whole systems - Hydrogen safety
- Natural gas hydrogen mixtures
- NaturalHy participant
| | Chemical Engineering |
| Centre for Sustainable Urban and Regional Futures (SURF), University of Salford | SURF is a mainly self-financing inter-disciplinary research centre. The Centre is part of the Research Institute for the Built and Human Environment (BuHu). | Cross-cutting and whole systems - Hydrogen futures
- Socio-economic issues
| | Sociology
Economics and Econometrics |
| Built Environment Research Institute, University of Ulster | Hydrogen safety | Cross-cutting and whole systems | | Built environment
Safety |
Applied research in the hydrogen energy sector is largely undertaken by groups within the large commercial gas supply companies and a range of start-up and small-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Funding for hydrogen applied research, development, and demonstration has largely been through isolated project grants historically via DTI and BERR, and recently from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and intermittent attempts to initiate a hydrogen demonstration programme. Additional, local funding has been provided through the former Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and the regional assemblies in Scotland and Wales.
Current responsibility for hydrogen demonstration funding largely resides with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in cooperation with the Technology Strategy Board (TSB).
For demonstration of end-uses of hydrogen in clean vehicles and refuelling technologies see the Transport Landscape.
| Name |
Description |
Sub-topics covered |
No of Staff |
Sector |
| Air Products | Air Products is a global industrial gases company, supplying gaseous and cryogenic liquid hydrogen | - Reaction chemistry
- Materials chemistry
- Engineering fundamentals
- Applications development
- Process engineering
| | Electricity and gas |
| AMEC | AMEC is a world leader in technical services and project management, employing around 44,000 people in some 40 countries around the world. | | | Consulting engineers |
| Auriga Energy | Auriga Energy specialises in the development of carbon free, highly efficient energy systems, utilising current and emerging fuel cell, for the marine, UPS/backup power and materials handling applications | | | Consulting engineers |
| BMW | Automotive manufacturer with interest in liquid hydrogen fuelled internal combustion engine (also dual-fuelled vehicles) | | | Manufacturing |
| Linde | Linde is a global industrial gases company with experience of building more than 200 plants for commercial hydrogen manufacture with capacities from 1,000 to over 100,000 Nm3/h | - Design of the storage system for hydrogen fuel cell powered cars.
| | Electricity and gas |
| BP Gas & Power | One of the world’s largest energy companies, providing fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services and petrochemicals products. | - world’s first industrial scale project to generate electricity using hydrogen manufactured from natural gas
| | Electricity and gas Energy extraction |
| CERAM | CERAM is an international organisation with over 50 years of experience working for clients involved in ceramics and materials processing, the manufacture of ceramic components, or the use of ceramic products. | | | Manufacturing R&D science and engineering |
| C-Tech Innovation Ltd. | C-Tech Innovation Ltd. is an internationally renowned, development and consulting company, with over thirty years experience, in providing innovation services to companies, universities and governmental bodies. | - Enhancement of catalysis by a low energy electrochemical technique (Carbon Trust)
| | Consulting engineers |
| E4tech | E4tech is an international consulting firm specialising in sustainable energy, particularly bio-energy and hydrogen. | - Fuel cells & hydrogen energy
- Biomass & waste for energy
| | Consulting engineers
Management consultancy |
| Element Energy Ltd. | Element Energy Ltd. is an engineering company specialising in strategic energy consultancy and design and development services in the renewable and alternative energy sectors. | - Hydrogen
- Low carbon technology
| | Consulting engineers |
| Fuel Cell Markets | Internet portal provider and management consultant to assist in the commercialisation of fuel cell, hydrogen, and sustainable energy technologies. | - Electrolysers
- Fuel Storage
| | Management consultancy |
| Ilika | Ilika is a science-led materials discovery company using cutting edge high throughput techniques to create and characterise libraries of novel materials. | - Thin films, hydrogen storage alloys
- Grand Challenge Hydrogen Storage (DTI project with Johnson Matthey, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (ISIS), and University of Oxford)
| | R&D science and engineering |
| Ineos Chlor | A leader in the field of electrochemical technology licensing, electrolysis and fuel cells | | | R&D science and engineering |
| Intelligent Energy | An international company specialising in the development of fuel cell and hydrogen generation technologies. | | | R&D science and engineering |
| ITM Power | ITM Power is an electrolyser and fuel cell company whose technology is based around a novel, low-cost, hydrophilic membrane | - Low-cost modular proton-exchange membrane electrolysers: a feasibility study (Carbon Trust)
| | R&D science and engineering |
| Johnson Matthey Plc, Catalysts Division | Johnson Matthey is a speciality chemicals company focused on its core skills in catalysts, precious metals and fine chemicals. | - auto-catalysts
- catalysts and components for fuel cells.
| | Manufacturing |
| NRK Electrochem | NRK Electrochem offers a wide selection of mixed metal oxide, MMO, electro-catalytic coatings for the full spectrum of electrochemical processes. | | | Consulting engineers |
| Progressive Energy Ltd | | | | Consulting engineers |
| Qinetiq | QinetiQ is one of the world’s leading defence technology and security companies. | - Hydrogen storage (metal hydrides)
| | Consulting engineers |
| Ricardo AEA | Energy and climate change consultancy | | | Consulting engineers |
| Ricardo Consulting Engineers | Ricardo is a leading provider of technology, product innovation, engineering solutions and strategic consulting to the world s automotive industries. It combines business, product and process strategy with fundamental technical research and the implementation of large-scale new product development programmes. | - Fuel cell systems
- Carbon to Hydrogen roadmap
| | Consulting engineers |
| Riversimple | Bringing the clean hydrogen car to the market | | | Car manufacture |
| Shell Global Solutions | Global group of energy and petrochemical companies. | - Hydrogen solutions provider
| | Electricity and gas |
| South West Electrolysers | South West Electrolysers is a UK based manufacturer of water electrolysis equipment for the production of hydrogen | | | Manufacturing |
| Stored Solar | Stored Solar (formed after the re-organisation of Hydrogen Solar Ltd) is building a portfolio of hydrogen technologies and Intellectual Property aimed at the new hydrogen economy. The prime technology is the Tandem Cell™, which converts light and water directly into hydrogen fuel. | - Photocatalytic conversion of sunlight to hydrogen using the Tandem Cell (Carbon Trust)
| | R&D science and engineering |
The main research facilities for hydrogen energy R&D relate to materials investigation. The Science and Technology Facilities Council provides various facilities for new materials investigation using neutrons, X-rays, laser spectroscopy techniques, computational materials science, etc. at its two major sites Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Daresbury Laboratory and the X-ray diffraction facilities at Diamond.
UK research facilities in the hydrogen storage in solids areaare spread among the wide range of academic groups in the UK (see entries above for universities of Bath, Oxford, Nottingham, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and UCL). Much work in this area relies on chemical synthesis and materials characterisation, much of which is done in-house at various Universities within individual research groups.
The European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform was launched under the 6th Framework Programme for Research (FP6) as a grouping of stakeholders, led by companies representing the entire supply chain for fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies. The Platform concluded that fuel cell and hydrogen technologies can play a significant role in a new, cleaner energy system for Europe. However, if these were to make a significant market penetration in transport and power generation,there would need to be research, development and deployment strategies in which all the stakeholders are committed to common objectives.
Based on this shared vision, The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) was established by a Council Regulation on 30 May 2008 as a public-private partnership between the European Commission, European industry and research organisations to accelerate the development and deployment of fuel cell andhydrogen technologies. An up to date directory of documents and the annually revised implementation plan is maintained.
UK academia and industry has been involved in a wide range of hydrogen (and fuel cell) projects within Framework Programmes 6 and 7 as follows:
| Project |
Objectives |
Action Line |
Type of Action |
UK Participants |
Co-ordinator and Partners |
Total Funding |
EU Funding |
Duration |
Annual Spend |
| CACHET II: Carbon dioxide capture and hydrogen production with membranes | CACHET II project will develop innovative metallic membranes and modules for high capacity hydrogen production and separation from a number of fuel sources including natural gas and coal | FP7-ENERGY - ENERGY.2009.5.1.1 Innovative capture techniques | Collaborative project (generic) | BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd | BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd, United Kingdom
With 7 Partners | €5.2m | €3.9m | 2010-01-01 to 2012-12-31 | €1.76m |
CHIC
Clean Hydrogen in European Cities | The Clean Hydrogen in European Cities (CHIC) Project is the essential next step to full commercialisation of hydrogen powered fuel cell (H2FC) buses. | SP1-JTI-FCH.2009.1.1 Large-scale demonstration of road vehicles and refuelling infrastructure II | Joint Technology Initiatives - Collaborative Project (FCH) | London Bus Services Limited;
Air Products PLC;
Wrightbus Ltd;
Element Energy Limited; | Evobus Gmbh
With 25 Partners | €81.9m | €25.9m | 2010-04-01 to 2016-12-31 | €12.0m |
COMETNANO
Technologies for synthesis, recycling and combustion of metallic nanoclusters as future transportation fuels | COMETNANO project is an integrated approach of metallic-nano-particles synthesis, their controlled combustion in internal combustion engines and regeneration (employing 100 renewable hydrogen produced by solar-thermal dissociation of water in coated monolithic reactors) of the respective metal-oxides via reduction by renewable means. | NMP-2008-1.2-3 Development of technologies for the controlled combustion of nano-particles | Small or medium-scale focused research project | Neo Performance Materials (Europe)Ltd | Centre For Research And Technology, Greece
With 4 Partners | €2.4m | €1.7m | 2009-05-01 to 2012-04-30 | €0.6m |
DELIVERHY
Optimisation of Transport Solutions for Compressed Hydrogen | Compressed hydrogen trailers are cost efficient for near term distribution. However, with the currently used 20 MPa trailers the supply of larger refuelling stations would result in multiple truck deliveries per day, which is often not acceptable. | SP1-JTI-FCH.2010.2.6 Feasibility of 400b+ CGH2 distribution | Joint Technology Initiatives - Collaborative Project (FCH) | The CCS Global Group Limited, UK | Ludwig-Boelkow-Systemtechnik Gmbh, Germany
With 5 Partners | €1.2m | €0.7m | 2012-01-01 to 2013-12-31 | €1.2m |
GREENAIR
Generation of Hydrogen by Kerosene Reforming via efficient and low emission new alternative, innovative, refined technologies for aircraft application | GreenAir is addressing one of the key problems for fuel cell application aboard an aircraft - the generation of Hydrogen from Jet fuel (Kerosene) which will be the aeronautic fuel for the next decades | AAT.2008.1.1.4. Systems and Equipment,AAT.2008.4.2.4. Systems | Small or medium-scale focused research project | Johnson Matthey PLC;
Qinetiq Limited | EADS Deutschland Gmbh, Germany
With 12 Partners | €7.8m | €5.1m | 2009-09-01 to 2012-08-31 | €2.6m |
H2FC
Integrating European Infrastructure to support science and development of Hydrogen- and Fuel Cell Technologies towards European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy | H2FC brings together, for the first time in Europe, the leading European R&D institutions of the H2 community together with those of the fuel cell community, covering the entire life-cycle of H2FC, i.e. hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and final use in fuel cells. The three pillars of the proposal are networking, transnational access and joint research activities | INFRA-2011-1.1.16. Research Infrastructures for Hydrogen & Fuel Cells facilities | Combination of CP and CSA | University of Ulster;
NPL Management Limited;
Health and Safety Executive. | Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Germany
With 18 Partners | €10.2m | €8.0m | 2011-11-01 to 2015-10-31 | €2.5m |
H2OCEAN
Development of a wind-wave power open-sea platform equipped for hydrogen generation with support for multiple users of energy | The H2OCEAN consortium aims at developing an innovative design for an economically and environmentally sustainable multi-use open-sea platform. The H2OCEAN platform will harvest wind and wave power, using part of the energy on-site for multiple applications, and convert on-site the excess energy into hydrogen that can be stored and shipped to shore as green energy carrier. | OCEAN.2011-1 Multi-use offshore platforms | Collaborative project (generic) | Fusion Marine Limited;
Cranfield University;
Viking Fish Farms Limited;
IT Power Ltd;
Virtualpie Ltd. | Meteosim Truewind S.L., Spain
With 16 Partners | €6.0m | €4.5m | 2012-01-01 to 2014-12-31 | €2.0m |
H2SUSBUILD
Development of a clean and energy self-sustained building in the vision of integrating H2 economy with renewable energy sources | The development of an intelligent, self-sustained and zero CO2 emission hybrid energy system to cover electric power, heating and cooling loads (tri-generation) of either residential/commercial buildings or districts of buildings. In the proposed system, the primary energy will be harvested from RES and directly used to cover contingent loads, while the excess energy will be converted to hydrogen to be used as energy storage material and to be further applied as a green fuel to cover the building heating needs through direct combustion or to produce combined heating and electricity by means of fuel cells | NMP-2007-4.0-5 Resource Efficient and Clean Buildings | Large-scale integrating project | The University of St Andrews; | d Appolonia SPA, Italy
With 18 Partners | €9.9m | €6.7m | 2008-10-01 to 2012-09-30 | €2.5m |
HIGH V.LO-CITY
Cities speeding up the integration of hydrogen buses in public fleets | By leveraging the experiences of past fuel cell bus projects, implementing technical improvements that increase efficiency and reduce costs of FCH buses, as well as introducing a modular approach to hydrogen refuelling infrastructure build-up, the High V(Flanders).L(Liguria) O(ScOtland)-City project aims at significantly increasing the velocity of integrating these buses on a larger scale in European bus operations. | SP1-JTI-FCH.2010.1.1 Large-scale demonstration of road vehicles and refuelling infrastructure III | Joint Technology Initiatives - Collaborative Project (FCH) | Aberdeen City Council | Van Hool N.V., Belgium
With 11 Partners | €31.6m | €13.5m | 2012-01-01 to 2016-12-31 | €6.3m |
HY2SEPS-2
Hybrid Membrane - Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Hydrogen Purification Systems | The main goal of the proposed work is the design and testing of hybrid separation schemes that combine membrane and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology for the purification of H2 from a reformate stream that also contains CO2, CO, CH4, and N2. | SP1-JTI-FCH.2010.2.3 Development of gas purification technologies | Joint Technology Initiatives - Collaborative Project (FCH) | Process Systems Enterprise Ltd | Foundation for Research and Technology, Greece
With 4 Partners | €1.6m | €0.8m | 2011-11-01 to 2013-10-31 | €0.8m |
HYCOMP
Enhanced Design Requirements and Testing Procedures for Composite Cylinders intended for the Safe Storage of Hydrogen | Hydrogen storage is a key enabling technology for the use of hydrogen as an energy vector. To improve volumetric and gravimetric performance, carbon fibber composite cylinders are currently being developed. | SP1-JTI-FCH.2009.1.5 Pre-normative Research (PNR) on composite storage | Joint Technology Initiatives - Collaborative Project (FCH) | The CCS Global Group Limited | l Air Liquide S.A, France
With 11 Partners | €3.9m | €1.4m | 2011-01-01 to 2013-12-31 | €1.3m |
HYCYCLES
Materials and components for Hydrogen production by sulphur based thermochemical cycles | HycycleS aims at the qualification and enhancement of materials and components for key steps of thermochemical cycles for solar or nuclear hydrogen generation. The focus of HycycleS is the decomposition of sulphuric acid which is the central step of the sulphur based family of those processes, especially the hybrid sulphur cycle and the sulphur-iodine cycle. | ENERGY-2007-1.2-03 Advanced Materials for High Temperature thermo-chemical processes | Small or medium-scale focused research project | The University of Sheffield | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft - und Raumfahrt EV, Germany
With 8 Partners | €5.1m | €3.7m | From 2008-01-01 to 2011-03-31 | €1.3m |
RELHY
Innovative solid oxide electrolyser stacks for efficient and reliable hydrogen production | The RelHy project targets the development of novel or improved, low cost materials (and the associated manufacturing process) for their integration in efficient and durable components for the next generation of electrolysers based on Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC). | ENERGY-2007-1.2-01 New materials and processes for advanced electrolysers | Small or medium-scale focused research project | Imperial College of Science, Technology And Medicine | Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, France
With 6 Partners | €4.5m | €2.9m | From 2008-01-01 to 2011-12-31 | €1.5m |
SOLHYDROMICS
Nanodesigned electrochemical converter of solar energy into hydrogen hosting natural enzymes or their mimics | An artificial device will be developed to convert sun energy into H2 with 10 efficiency by water splitting at ambient temperature. | ENERGY.2008.10.1.1 Future Emerging Technologies (FET) | Collaborative project (generic) | Imperial College of Science, Technology And Medicine | Politecnico Di Torino
With 6 Partners | €3.6m | €2.7m | From 2009-01-01 to 2012-06-30 | €1.0m |
| STORHY: Hydrogen Storage Systems for Automotive Application | This IP is a European initiative on automobile H2 storage driven by major European car manufacturers and covering the full spectrum of currently qualified technologies. Although the primary target of STORHY is the automobile industry, the preparation of spin-offs for stationary systems is also considered. | FP6: SUSTDEV-1.2.2: M-L New technologies for energy carriers Hydrogen | Integrated Project | University of Nottingham | Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik Ag & Co Kg
33 Partners | €18.6m | €10.73m | March 2004 September 2008 | €2.68m |
| NATURALHY: Preparing for the hydrogen economy by using the existing natural gas system as a catalyst | The aim of NATURALHY is to test all critical aspects of a hydrogen system by adding hydrogen to natural gas in existing networks | FP6: SUSTDEV-1.2.2: M-L New technologies for energy carriers Hydrogen | Integrated project | University of Warwick;
X/Open Company;
Computational Mechanics;
PII Limited;
Loughborough University;
University of Leeds;
The Health and Safety Executive;
Shellhydrogen;
BP Gas Marketing;
Transco | N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie
38 Partners | €17.27m | €11.0m | May 2004 May 2009 | €2.2m |
| NESSHY: Novel Efficient Solid Storage for HYdrogen | The proposed IP would drive forward the research and development of solid storage of hydrogen for vehicle propulsion and associated distribution functions. | FP6: SUSTDEV-1.2.2 New technologies for energy carriers Hydrogen | Integrated Project | University of Salford;
University of Birmingham;
Johnson Matthey | National Center For Scientific Research “Demokritos”
22 Partners | €11.61m | €7.5m | January 2006 January 2011 | €1.5m |
| HYSAFE: Safety of Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier | The objectives of the network include: - To contribute to common understanding and approaches foraddressing hydrogen safety issues;
- To integrate experience and knowledge on hydrogen safety inEurope
- To integrate and harmonise the fragmented research base;
- To provide contributions to EU safety requirements, standards andcodes of practice;
- To contribute to an improved technical culture on handlinghydrogen as an energy carrier;
- To promote public acceptance of hydrogen technologies.
| FP6: SUSTDEV-1.2.2: M-L New technologies for energy carriers Hydrogen | Network of excellence | Building Research Establishment;
University of Ulster;
Health and Safety Executive | Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Gmbh
22 Partners | Not Specified | €7.0m | March 2004 March 2009 | €1.4m |
| HYWAYS | Development of a harmonised “European Hydrogen Energy Roadmap” by a balanced group of partners from industry, European regions and technical and socio-economic scenario and modelling experts | FP6: SUSTDEV-1.2.2: M-L New technologies for energy carriers Hydrogen | Integrated project | Air Products;
Imperial College;
BP Gas Marketing | L-B-Systemtechnik Gmbh
26 Partners | €7.92m | €4.0m | April 2004 April 2007 | €1.3m |
| ROADS2HYCOM: Research Coordination, assessment, deployment and support to HyCOM | Roads2HyCOM is a project to co-ordinate, assess and monitor research in the field of Hydrogen for stationary and transport power. Its outputs will support planning of future Hydrogen initiatives under FP7 and beyond (known as HyCom), which aim to develop hydrogen communities and stimulate growth in hydrogen technology markets. | FP6: SUSTDEV-AERO-2004-Hydrogen-2 Support of the co-ordination, assessment and monitoring of research to contribute to the definition phase for a hydrogen communities initiative | Integrated Project | Ricardo UK Limited;
Air Products PLC;
Intelligent Energy Ltd;
Element Energy Ltd | Ricardo UK Limited
29 Partners | €7.8m | €4.5m | October 2005 October 2008 | €1.5m |
| HYDROSOL II: Solar Hydrogen via Water Splitting in Advanced Monolithic Reactors for Future Solar Power plants | Building on the results of FP5 project HYDROSOL the present proposal concerns the technical realisation and evaluation of a directly solar heated process for two-step thermo-chemical water splitting using an innovative solar thermochemical reactor as the core of a volumetric receiver | FP6: SUSTDEV-1.2.6 New and advanced concepts in renewable energy technologies Other RES | Specific Targeted Research Project | Johnson Matthey | Centre For Research And Technology Hellas
5 Partners | €4.29m | €2.18m | October 2005 October 2009 | €0.545m |
| HYAPPROVAL: Handbook for Approval of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations | HyApproval is a STREP to develop a Handbook (HB) facilitating the approval of hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS). | FP6: SUSTDEV-1.2.2 New technologies for energy carriers Hydrogen | Specific Targeted Research Project | BP;
Air Products;
Health and Safety Executive | L-B-Systemtechnik Gmbh
25 Partners | €3.95m | €1.9m | September 2005 September 2007 | €0.95m |
| HYDROGEN: Production and storage of hydrogen | Research on photo-electrochemical hydrogen production and storage in alanates, borohydrides, and a new class of materials based on ammonia | FP6 - Marie Curie | Research Training Network (RTN) | Hydrogen Solar Ltd.; University of Oxford | Universiteit Leiden
10 Partners | €3.54m | €3.54m | September 2006 August 2010 | €0.90m |
| HYTHEC: High Temperature Thermochemical Cycles | to evaluate the potential of one thermo chemical process i.e. the Iodine-Sulphur (IS) cycle and one hybrid cycle i.e. the Westinghouse cycle. | FP6: SUSTDEV-1.2.2 New technologies for energy carriers Hydrogen | Specific Targeted Research Project | University of Sheffield | Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique
6 Partners | €2.94m | €1.9m | April 2004 October 2007 | €0.63m |
| HYCO: Hydrogen and Fuel Cell ERANET | The goal is to network and integrate national R&D activities in the area of hydrogen and fuel cells. HYCO offers a common platform for information and coordination of programmes and R&D activities at national and regional level; establishes a common knowledge base for a hydrogen economy; and strengthens the European R&D and demonstration infrastructure on hydrogen and fuel cells. | FP6 | ERANET | UK did not participate | Forschungszentrum Jülich Projektträger Jülich | €2.70m | €2.70m | Oct 04 Sep 08 | €0.68m |
| HYTRAIN: Hydrogen Storage Research Training Network | The Network funds 10 Early Stage Researchers (PhD students) and 2 Experienced Researchers (Post-Docs) in a carefully integrated project involving specific research projects focussed on the synthesis and performance characterisation of metal hydrides, large-surface area porous adsorbers and hybrid storage systems. | FP6 - Marie Curie | Research Training Network (RTN) | University of Salford; QMUL; University of Strathclyde; University of Nottingham | University of Salford
18 Partners | €2.65m | €2.65m | January 2005 December 2008 | €0.70m |
| INNOHYP-CA: Innovative high temperature routes for Hydrogen Production | Aims to coordinate efforts on the knowledge of hydrogen production technologies and to propose a roadmap for short, medium and long term research programs | FP6: SUSTDEV-2003-1.2.9: M-L Support to the strategic objectives of the programme | Coordinated Action | University of Sheffield | Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique
8 Partners | €0.62m | €0.50m | September 2004 September 2006 | €0.25m |
| COSY: Complex Solid State Reactions for Energy Efficient Hydrogen Storage | Characterization and optimization of novel light weight hydride composites. | FP6 - Marie Curie | Research Training Network (RTN) | University of Oxford (Dr John Sykes) | GKSS Research Centre Gmbh
13 Partners | | | November 2006 October 2010 | |
There is an IEA Implementing Agreements for Hydrogen, with the UK participating in several Tasks. The UK is also a member of the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE), established on the initiative of the United States in 2004.
