Pioneering new green fuel technology that could drive down emissions and power airport vehicles of the future will be unveiled at London Stansted this spring.
Britain’s third busiest airport will be the first UK company to test a new hydrogen refuelling system (HFuel) and two specially adapted vehicles as part of ITM Power’s nationwide Hydrogen On Site Trials programme (HOST).
Dr Andy Jefferson, Stansted Airport’s Head of Health, Safety and Environment, said: “Environmental management at London Stansted is critical to the sustainability of our business and is an issue that we take extremely seriously, so we’re delighted to be working with ITM Power and launch their ground-breaking Hydrogen On Site Trial project at the airport.
“We are extremely proud of the fact that air quality levels at Stansted are lower than the limits set by the EU. It is by continually focusing on our environmental performance that we will be able to maintain and improve those levels further. The project with ITM is a key part of this strategy and by working in partnership with them, we can evaluate whether hydrogen is a viable alternative fuel for airport vehicles.”
The HOST program provides each partner with a one week free trial of the HFuel system and two Transit vans. The results are expected to play a key role in demonstrating the potential and development of ITM Power’s hydrogen fuel technology.
Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, added: “HOST will be the largest multi-sector trial of hydrogen refuelling for transport in the UK, involving 20 major partner organisations. Airports are perfect locations for trialling return to base hydrogen refuelling and we are delighted that London Stansted airport will be the location from which we launch the HOST programme.”
Stansted’s testing programme will begin on 7 March. During the trial, hydrogen produced by the on-site HFuel system will power the two Ford Transit vans. These vehicles will form part of the airport’s fleet and will be assessed by staff under every-day driving conditions.