Surrey-based AFC Energy provides clean hydrogen power for major roadbuilding project
Surrey-based AFC Energy and Keltbray have teamed up to showcase how hydrogen fuel cell technology can decarbonise off-grid temporary power for construction.
The fuel cell is providing clean power to charge on-site electric vehicles working on the M621 motorway construction project in Leeds. It's one of the first uses of its type in the UK
The project is in partnership with National Highways, which welcomes innovations such as this to support its goal to reach zero emissions by 2040.
The collaboration sees AFC Energy source and supply the hydrogen and lease its Power Tower, a hydrogen fuel cell generator system.
The company, whose headquarters is in Cranleigh, says this project demonstrates how temporary power for off-grid construction sites can switch to non-polluting forms of on-site power generation.
A spokesperson said: "It also provides valuable learning for us, Keltbray, National Highways and the construction industry as a whole. We share Keltbray's ambition to decarbonise off-grid temporary power.
"Hydrogen-based power offers an effective solution to reducing emissions for the construction industry. Reductions in emissions improves the health and wellbeing of workers on-site and local communities, as well as reducing our impact on climate change. It's key step on the journey to net zero."
Kiro Tamar, Head of Environmental Sustainability at Esher-based Keltbray, said: "We’re proud to be teaming up with AFC Energy to showcase how hydrogen fuel cell technology will decarbonise off-grid temporary power for construction.
"This forward-thinking initiative is teaching us the lessons for what future power generation with zero local emissions looks like."
Chris Musgrave, Senior Project Manager at National Highways, said: "National Highways is committed to aiming for net zero maintenance and construction emissions by 2040.
"We welcome innovations such as this hydrogen fuel technology, which support our ambitious programme.
"The installation of these systems on sites like the M621 allows us to work with our supply chain partners to carry out real-world testing, refining performance and outputs, to determine the viability of such cleaner energy alternatives for use in construction in the UK."
READ MORE: AFC Energy's hydrogen power charging stations installed at HS2 Euston Station
Image: The Power Tower, a hydrogen fuel cell generator system. Credit: AFC Energy
