Hydrogen vehicle refuelling station opens in East London

Energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power has opened its third public access hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) in Rainham, East London.  

The station is now available for public and private fleets operating fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to recharge

The second HRS in London, the facility is located at the Centre of Engineering Manufacturing Excellence (CEME), providing publicly accessible refuelling infrastructure on the A13 to East London.

The station uses solar energy from a solar photovoltaic array at CEME to make renewable hydrogen on-site and is now available for public and private fleets operating fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to recharge.

It is the second of three UK stations to be deployed as part of the pan European HyFive project, which raises awareness and uptake of zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles through a £31 million project involving leading motor manufacturers, hydrogen fuel suppliers, the Mayor of London’s Office and energy consultancies.

Hydrogen Rally

Preceding the station opening, a Hydrogen Rally took place from a wind hydrogen station in South Yorkshire to the finishing line at the CEME HRS, demonstrating how excess renewable energy can be used and stored as hydrogen gas to refuel fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in three minutes.

A second rally started at ITM Power’s hydrogen station in Teddington, West London, crossing central London to CEME, highlighting zero emission driving across the capital’s Low Emission Zone.

In total 11 FCEVs took part, provided by Toyota, Hyundai and Symbio FCell Renault and vehicle owners JCB, Anglo American, Johnson Matthey, Green Tomato Cars and ITM Power.

ITM Power

Dr Graham Cooley, chief executive at ITM Power, said: “We are extremely pleased to have launched the second of the Company’s HyFive hydrogen refuelling stations in London providing a link across the city for a range of hydrogen vehicles now available from the auto OEMs.

“The hydrogen rally was a great way of demonstrating the benefits of these vehicles for both longer commutes and throughout the city. ITM Power is grateful for the co-operation of our HyFive partners and for the funding support of FCHJU and OLEV.”

Bill Williams, chief executive at CEME, added: “As London’s Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence, CEME is very proud to be able to offer a site for this hydrogen fuel station and utilise our solar energy to make a fuel for vehicles. It is perfectly located to offer a clean hydrogen source for London and improve air quality for London”.

ITM Power manufactures integrated hydrogen energy solutions, which are rapid response and high pressure to meet the requirements for grid balancing and energy storage services, and for the production of clean fuel for transport, renewable heat and chemicals.

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