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Hydrogen power comes to Wales 8/10/2008
Using hydrogen as a renewable fuel source comes a step closer this week with the opening of a pioneering hydrogen energy research and demonstration centre by the University of Glamorgan.
Car manufacturer Nissan will be bringing its hydrogen-powered vehicle the FCV X-Trail to Wales for the first time.
Based at Baglan Energy Park near Swansea, the 2.2 million pound Centre demonstrates the viability and safety of producing hydrogen from indigenous renewable resources in Wales.
Utilising renewable hydrogen as a fuel has the potential to tackle energy security, air quality and the reduction of greenhouse gases.
The centre, part of Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, will become a world leading research facility and demonstration project integrating renewable energy technologies (solar photovoltaic and wind) with hydrogen and fuel cell energy technologies.
Professor Dennis Hawkes who is leading the project, said, “Rather than an isolated one-off demonstration, this centre provides the basis for a range of hydrogen energy and transport activities.
"The project puts Wales at the forefront of European efforts to develop hydrogen communities. The new centre brings together technology and expertise and will provide a platform for new business development, growth and employment in the region.â€
His colleague Jon Maddy continued, “Hydrogen has the potential to play a significant part in overcoming increased dependency on the diminishing resource of imported fossil fuels.
"Wales has an abundance of natural energy resources and this project will research and demonstrate the link between these renewables and the role of hydrogen energy.â€
Working with the University at the centre, companies will be able to research, develop and demonstrate hydrogen related products and technologies. This has the potential to generate new, highly skilled jobs in an emerging hydrogen economy.
Once up and running the centre will also welcome groups from schoolchildren to academics who will be able to discover more about how hydrogen is produced from renewable sources.
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