The hydrogen movement is no bubble
Though carbon commitments have been questioned in the UK's politics this week, the challenge for fuel sustainability and resilience remains.
Though carbon commitments might have been questioned in the UK's politics this week, the challenge for fuel sustainability and resilience remains as bold as ever. With the UK breaking new heat records and Europe also suffering the extremes this week, it seems that public awareness of climate change is likely to have renewed vigor.
What will be the response in our mobility system? How do we move to more sustainable sources of energy and is there a role for every energy source? We have seen the continuing conversion of bus fleets to zero-emission vehicles, the take-up rate for private electric vehicles increase, the expansion of e-mobility, and the development of battery concepts for trains.
So has the hybrid and battery conquered the future, or is there still a role for alternatives?
Recently, hydrogen as a fuel source and as a deliverer of power seemed to be everywhere I looked, from trade journals to mainstream media, in business networking and in considering future mobility strategies for clients. The hydrogen movement appears to be gathering pace with practical examples, investment, and further innovation. Recent examples include:
- Airbus investing into a hydrogen infrastructure fund that targets both upstream projects like green hydrogen production and downstream projects like captive fleet and refueling stations.
- HS2 using two hydrogen cells to power the lights at one of their building sites, providing greener and quieter energy to this city centre location.
- JCB's development of a hydrogen motor for emission-free high-demand use plant
- and a year ago, the Mayor of London committed to the first hydrogen double-deck bus fleet for Transport for London (TfL).
As a result, hydrogen may well have a significant role to play alongside other fuel sources. It has the potential to create more sustainable buildings and mobility, but will require some clever thinking to marry-up its manufacture, distribution and filling to ensure an appropriate mix with other power sources so each plays to its strengths. For it to be successful, it will need strategic thinking that spans technical, regulatory, financial, commercial, and behavioural perspectives.
Airbus has joined the world’s largest clean hydrogen infrastructure investment fund, managed by Hy24 - a joint venture between Ardian, a world-leading private investment house and FiveTHydrogen, an investment manager specialising in clean hydrogen investments
