A new collaboration is seeking to change how Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) fill up through a new hydrogen fuel project.
Midlands-based SME Hy-Met Limited will work with Logan Energy, and the WMG department at the University of Warwick to deliver the Hydrogen Prototype Equipment for Refuelling (HyPER) project.
The consortium will develop a “next-generation” hydrogen flowmeter that will be used for refuelling systems. It will be lightweight, smaller, more cost effective and more accurate than current instruments.
Recent funding from the UK Government’s Department of Transport zero emission road freight trials through Innovate UK kickstarted the project, which is now valued at around £170,000.
The collaboration aims to reduce the cost of hydrogen refuelling and enable the wider adoption of hydrogen by transport fleets and other users.
Commenting on the partnership, Nishal Ramadas, co-founder and CEO of Hy-Met, said: “Since launching Hy-Met in January, we’ve been motoring ahead with our plans to help with the transition to net zero.
“With our innovative measurement platform, Hy-Met is combining our deep hardware and software expertise to tackle some of the complex measurement challenges facing the hydrogen sector.
“When building the consortium, we knew we needed partners with detailed knowledge of the requirements for hydrogen refuelling and advanced manufacturing and prototyping capabilities.
“Our choice of project partners was clear, and we are very happy Logan Energy and WMG have joined us in tackling this refuelling challenge.”
Wallyford-based Logan Energy designs, installs, commissions and maintains Integrated Energy Systems across the UK and Europe.
The firm has already been part of major hydrogen projects in Scotland, opening the country’s first hydrogen refuelling station in the central belt. The station is the only point at which hydrogen-electric vehicles can fill up between Aberdeen and Sheffield.
In August last year the company was also selected to supply two of the first publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations in Teesside.
Bill Ireland, Chief Executive at Logan Energy, said: “Using hydrogen to power lorries is one of the key steps towards helping Scotland and the UK tackle the climate emergency.
“Making the switch from burning diesel to using hydrogen will cut the amount of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases being pumped into the atmosphere.
“There are a number of advancements we need to take before hydrogen becomes commonplace on our roads and one of the crucial elements is making it cheap and easy to refuel.
“For nearly three decades Logan Energy has been at the forefront of developing new and innovative hydrogen technologies both here in the UK and abroad. This collaborative partnership with Hy-Met and WMG is another step towards helping the UK grow its capabilities within the hydrogen industry and the drive to net-zero.”
Dmitry Isakov, Assistant Professor at WMG added: “Securing this funding from the Department of Transport through Innovate UK will help us to accelerate our work.
“Working alongside Logan Energy and Hy-Met will allow us all to combine our knowledge and expertise to develop an industry-leading hydrogen flowmeter.”