UK gas market office grants £770,000 to build NGV station in Bradford
Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has secured a £770,000 Network Innovation Competition funding grant from Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) for essential work to link Bradford’s Alternative Fuel Center to the natural gas network. The move brings the development of a CNG filling station on Bowling Back Lane a step closer, by linking it into the local gas transmission system operated by NGN.
The plans will see the Household Waste Recycling Center on Bowling Back Lane redeveloped by 2021 to provide the facility for the Council and other local business fleets including NGN. As well as helping achieve the Council’s climate change targets, the use of alternative fuels would also provide a cost saving both for the Local Authority and other businesses taking advantage of the facility. NGN has committed 15 fleet vehicles to use the site.
“Transport is a key piece of the decarbonization jigsaw. Alternative fuels like CNG allow us to take a step towards moving large fleets, such as our own, towards a cleaner and greener future,” said Richard Hynes-Cooper, Head of Innovation for Northern Gas Networks. “We’re delighted to be working with Bradford Council on such a significant project for the city and the region.”
Ofgem’s Gas Network Innovation Competition is an annual opportunity for natural gas network companies to compete for a pot of £20 million funding, for the development and demonstration of new technologies. Funding is provided for the best innovation projects helping networks understand how they can deliver environmental benefits, reduced costs and maintained security of energy supply for customers, as the UK moves to a low carbon economy.
“The Alternative Fuel Center is an important part of our plans to reduce air pollution and reduce our carbon footprint. This grant takes us a step closer and we thankful for the work NGN have been doing to help get us to this point. We look forward to continuing to work with them to complete this project,” commented Councilor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for Healthy People and Healthy Places.
The Council plans to replace 77 heavy trucks with CNG variants over the next seven years including 22 in the financial year 2021/22. These would include refuse collection vehicles, articulated trucks, tankers and hook-loaders. On average, each vehicle currently consume 14,000 liters of diesel per annum and, by switching fuels, the project will achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of 85% for each. It is estimated that this will reduce the Bradford’s fleet GHG emissions by almost 12,400 tons over the next seven years.
Northeast Asia speeds up transition to zero-emission hydrogen mobility
A key automotive company for fuel cell vehicles in Northeast Asia has nominated Hexagon Purus, a subsidiary of Hexagon Composites, for the serial supply of composite cylinders for their current zero-emission fuel cell SUVs. Hexagon Purus’ first prototypes of the 700 bar high-pressure cylinders are due to be delivered by the end of this year.
The scope of the nomination is over a two-year period with an estimated sales value of 25 million euros. The nomination also positions Hexagon Purus for further projects within a large range of vehicle applications with this Asian OEM. The supply contract is subject to final negotiations of terms and conditions.
Northeast Asia is among the largest automotive markets in the world in terms of size. Today the region dominates the global hydrogen economy with hydrogen-fueled cars, refueling stations and fuel cell applications. The shift to zero emissions vehicles is driven by the desire to improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions, as well as to support energy independence.
“The push for decarbonization is gaining momentum. We see game-changing market opportunities and we are mobilizing to accelerate the development of zero emission mobility solutions,” said Morten Holum, President Hexagon Purus. “Our extensive experience in Type 4 cylinder technology and deep systems understanding makes us well-prepared to meet the accelerated demand we expect for zero-emissions solutions.”
“Northeast Asia is among the leading regions in the world promoting hydrogen energy. We are excited about this opportunity to engage in the region and support efforts to drive energy transformation,” commented Michael Kleschinski, EVP Hexagon Purus. “Hydrogen is the main focus of Hexagon Purus. We are pleased to become an approved supplier to a major OEM in this large market, and to bring our Type 4 cylinder technology to a new innovative collaboration.”
