Hydrogenia

Fuel cell manufacturing scale-up is key to meeting UK Net Zero transportation obligations, encouraging domestic manufacturing and creating green-growth jobs. Fuel cell range-extenders will encourage uptake of new EVs by addressing some of the shortcomings of battery-only EVs, such as lengthy recharging times. This rare opportunity re-shores supply chains in an emerging climate technology, using UK innovation, to secure global competitiveness. Adelan's technology is both hydrogen ready and fuel flexible, enabling use of renewable hydrocarbons in the short term and green hydrogen long term, and is already demonstrated in automotive applications as auxiliary power. Battery-fuel cell hybrid systems offer key advantages compared with battery-only electric vehicles, but roll-out has been slowed by the lack of hydrogen availability. This project aligns with national climate change commitments outlined in the 'Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution' and 'UK Hydrogen Strategy' through encouraging end-use applications. It addresses serious problems identified in the UK's battery strategy by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee (2021) "1st report - Battery strategy goes flat: Net-zero target at risk". Use of fuel cell range-extenders could stimulate hydrogen infrastructure and make electric vehicles more attractive for users through reducing vehicle weight, volume and costs, while easing range anxiety presented by battery-only vehicles. Anchoring a UK Midlands supply chain cluster to support this product could enable intervention in other sectors, such as aerospace, marine, remote power, and construction equipment, leading to wider social benefits. Economies of scale will drive down costs of manufacturing, centred around the automotive heart of the UK within the Midlands. This validation study examines the practicalities and cost-benefits of scaled manufacturing of a British technology, using local experts. The partners involved in the project are:

Adelan: A fuel cell technology company founded in 1996, holder of key patents, know-how and IP for the proposed fuel cell range-extender.

Precision Ceramics: Experts in specialist ceramic parts for industry.

Alliance Procurement Solutions: Experts in sustainable supply chain management.

ANT Industries: A medium-sized business helping technologists scale-up their manufacturing capability

The Manufacturing Technology Centre: Specialists in integrated manufacturing solutions across a variety of engineering sectors.

Validating the introduction of UK manufacturing of a commercial FC product will support British jobs and industry, develop British-owned IP, grow UK export potential and help the UK and other nations meet critical climate goals in the shortest time possible. This project is vital to meeting our growth and climate objectives.