U.K. consortium to develop hub for hydrogen storage prototyping in drive for net zero

An industrial technology consortium, bringing together the expertise of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC, Rotherham, U.K.), Oxford Advanced Surfaces (OAS, Yarnton), advanced engineering consultancy Xcience and SET Europe (Skelmersdale), have signed an agreement to work towards setting up a hydrogen storage prototyping hub (HSPH) in order to develop innovative hydrogen storage solutions, including Type IV tanks, for the transportation sector’s journey towards zero emissions.

The research undertaken by the consortium, which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to progress the hub, has been supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF).

According to consortium members, HSPH will be an independent, open-access resource for innovators and industrial end-users to accelerate the design and manufacture of prototype hydrogen storage vessels. It is actively seeking collaboration opportunities and is exploring the development of an industrial steering board comprising companies involved in the wider hydrogen landscape.

“Hydrogen propulsion, whether it’s performed via fuel cells or combustion, has an essential role to play in the decarbonization of transport, particularly for heavier, longer range and higher duty cycle applications,” says Stuart Dawson, chief engineer for hydrogen at the University of Sheffield AMRC, welcoming the agreement. “The AMRC is delighted to be part of the HSPH consortium where we can contribute our composites manufacturing expertise towards developing safe, lightweight, conformal and affordable hydrogen storage tanks to help accelerate the adoption of zero-emission hydrogen propulsion systems.”

Jon-Paul Griffiths, chief technology officer and founder of OAS, and Anselmo Gomes, head of engineering and research and development at SET Europe and Dr. Martin Kemp, technical director of Xcience who is spearheading the initiative, all believe that hydrogen has a role to play in future vehicles, noting that the hub will accelerate the development and adoption of hydrogen-fueled vehicles in particular and bring the latest storage technology to vehicle design.

The hub is developing an operational model that will provide an independent, confidential service to meet the needs of industry, and welcomes expressions of interest from OEMs, the manufacturing supply chain and organizations involved in the wider hydrogen and transportation sectors.