UK: First zero-emissions hydrogen filling station opens

ITM Power has launched its first public access hydrogen refuelling station in South Yorkshire, UK, which was funded by InnovateUK.

The new station uses electricity generated by a wind turbine to split water into its constituent parts: hydrogen and oxygen.

The energy storage and clean fuel company´s launch was supported by Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda, and accompanied by their fuel cell electric vehicles: Hyundai Ix35, the Toyota Mirai, the Honda FCX Clarity and a British Microcab.

A first of its kind, ITM´s zero emissions public refuelling station consists of a 225kW wind turbine coupled directly to an electrolyser, 220kg of hydrogen storage, a hydrogen dispensing unit and a 30kW fuel cell system capable of providing backup power generation for nearby buildings.

“We are extremely pleased to be launching the first of the company’s hydrogen refuelling stations, [...] and to provide clean fuel for the fuel cell electric vehicles that are now available from the auto OEMs,” said Dr Graham Cooley, CEO at ITM Power.

For Hyundai Motor UK CEO Tony Whitehorn, hydrogen-powered cars are the future of the industry, and self-sufficient filling stations such as the new ITM are exactly what´s needed.

"Toyota are delighted to congratulate and join ITM Power. [This] will support the October launch into the UK of our new Mirai, the world's first dedicated mass produced hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle,” said Jon Hunt, Manager at Toyota & Lexus Fleet Marketing.

Currently, there are only about 20 hydrogen-powered cars on the UK roads, according to the BBC. The ITM station will generate hydrogen to refuel around 18 cars a day.