British hydrogen project claims dramatic cost reduction

The project, a partnership with Roush Technologies, an automotive design, engineering and development company, will see ITM using its innovative electrolyser to enable vehicle operators to generate their own hydrogen fuel.

The electrolyser, which is due to enter production at ITM’s facility in Sheffield later this year, can produce hydrogen wherever there is a source of electricity and water, thereby avoiding the need for a separate hydrogen distribution network.

Roush Technologies, which already has extensive experience in the commercial vehicle sector, will be responsible for both adapting existing internal combustion-engines in vehicles and researching the development of new power units to utilise hydrogen fuel.

Dramatic cost reduction
ITM has developed new materials and processes that, it claims, dramatically reduce the cost of fuel cells and electrolysers. It says that the patented membrane materials used in its devices have higher performance and are 1% of the cost of the industry's standard materials.

Generating interest
The project is primarily aimed at generating interest among large commercial fleet operators or government organisations that operate large vehicle fleets. These fleets must, at least in the early stage of the technology, return to a central depot (or depots) every night.

It is rumoured that Ford, which has a production plant near to Roush Technology’s base in Essex, is also involved in the project.

Wider potential
Jim Heathcote, chief executive of ITM Power, said: “The project is a significant agreement between two companies who are committed to bringing practical hydrogen power into the automotive market place within a dramatically reduced time frame. 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.”