PowerSwitch

Mark · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 977 Location: NW England

Great news for the North West:
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/northwest/4.1m-green-energy-centre-opens

The Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC), a £4.1m facility dedicated to developing new sources of green, emission free energy, has officially opened. The MFCIC will be at the forefront of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, which creates sustainable electrical energy through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen – with water as the only by-product. The technology could power homes, offices, factories, cars and public transport – making them more efficient and not dependent on the main power grid.

Researchers at MFCIC will share their expertise and £2.5m of dedicated specialist equipment with small and medium-sized enterprises (across Greater Manchester – training them in this new technology. The centre was opened by Lord Peter Mandelson at Manchester Metropolitan University. Professor Malcolm Press, vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: "MFCIC would be a "regional hub for research innovation and economic growth in the fuel cell technology sector". "I am delighted that we will be making our expertise and distinctive capabilities in fuel cell technology available to industry, business and policy makers across Greater Manchester, transforming how we all power our homes, workplaces and vehicles," he added. Amer Gaffar, director of partnerships at the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, said: "There is currently huge investment in hydrogen and fuel cell technology, both nationally and globally, and this will continue to grow. "Our collaborations with SMEs will open up the vast market opportunities that fuel cells can bring to Greater Manchester business and industry – ensuring that this green technology is adopted across the region."

PS_RalphW · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 5397 Location: Cambridge

I have been saying for long time that hydrogen is not the answer to the transport problem. Chemical batteries are an increasingly mature and competitive technology that has largely solved issues like energy density, recharge times, etc., and requires far less supportive infrastructure to be installed from scratch.

Can hydrogen be used as a store of spare renewable energy flows to match supply and demand efficiently? Hard to say. Batteries have a big head start on this application already, and are being boosted by cast-offs from the transport industry.

I can't help thinking this a big investment in the wrong technology.

emordnilap · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2018 11:24 am Post subject:

woodburner · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 3775

Little John · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 6242 Location: UK

kenneal - lagger

RenewableCandy · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 12605 Location: York

Yes I always think of H2 as an 'extra' you can install in wind farms so as to be able to supply the juice when it's needed, not just when the wind's blowing.

I think this is what they're doing at the Advanced Manufacturing Plant near Sheffield, but they may have changed, or even demised...
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