The launch of the Oxfordshire Hydrogen Hub
Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council are pleased to announce the launch of the Oxfordshire Hydrogen Hub
Event sponsored by
Hydrogen Hub Executive Committee Members:
Event date: Tuesday 20 March 2018 | Location: Said Business School, Oxford
Event hashtag: #HydrogenHubOxfordshire
As Oxford looks to introduce the UK’s first zero emission zone in 2020, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies will have an important role to play in enabling the city to deliver on this ambitious plan to improve air quality in the city centre as well as decarbonising energy across the county.
This event marks the launch of the Oxfordshire Hydrogen Hub, a new initiative that will bring together local stakeholders and the hydrogen and fuel cell industry to develop projects that will deploy technology in a way which meets the local energy needs of the community. The event will bring together over 100 stakeholders from local businesses, low carbon initiatives, the local authorities and the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. The Oxfordshire Hydrogen Hub launch event will give local businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to learn about the different technologies and how they might be applied in different scenarios to deliver clean, cost effective energy. Speakers will include both technology developers and those currently using the technology. Two hydrogen vehicles, a Toyota Mirai and Hyundai ix35 fuel cell will also be displayed in front of the venue.
The Hydrogen Hub launched in Swindon and Wiltshire in January 2016 and has since driven over £1.5 million of external investment in hydrogen and fuel cell projects in the region with over 50 different organisations participating in working groups and projects. The Hydrogen Hub has attracted attention from Government with Energy Minister Claire Perry visiting the Hub this year.
Hydrogen Hub’s Chairman, Kevin Fothergill said:
“The Hydrogen Hub has been very successful in Swindon and Wiltshire, developing and deploying hydrogen and fuel cell projects which have established the region as a leader in these clean energy technologies. We are really excited about the launch of the Oxfordshire Hydrogen Hub and we look forward to working with Oxfordshire local authorities, the Government and local businesses to help them achieve an innovative and ambitious plan to improve local air quality and decarbonise energy for the benefit of the local environment and economy.”
Paul Marchment, SME Manager, Arval:
“Arval have been members of the Hydrogen Hub since 2016, leading on the Hub’s hydrogen vehicle program. We consider hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be an important technology that will play a key role in the decarbonisation of transport. Through the Hydrogen Hub we are now leasing fuel cell vehicles to local businesses and learning about this technology. We are delighted that the Hydrogen Hub is launching in Oxfordshire and look forward to supporting the roll-out of vehicles across the county “
Susan Halliwell, Director for Planning & Place, Oxfordshire County Council:
“Oxfordshire County Council are committed to a supporting the development of a low carbon future across the county. Hydrogen technologies have a key role to play in realising this future, providing a pathway to cost effective clean energy. We are pleased to be partnering with the Hydrogen Hub to launch the Oxfordshire Hydrogen Hub and look forward to working together to drive investment in this important technology.”
Oxfordshire County Council’s Innovation and Research area has been instrumental in developing links to business and academia, as well as securing external funding for projects for the county. Working with lead partners who are driving disruptive technologies they continue to challenge status quo and drive new solutions for Oxfordshire and implementation beyond.
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Media contact: +44(0) 121 709 5587
For more information please see www.hydrogenhub.org or contact Clare Jackson at clare.jackson@hydrogenhub.org
Other supporters:
Notes to editor
- The Hydrogen Hub is an industry-led community of stakeholders from across the hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain, Government, local authorities, businesses and current and potential users.
- The Executive Members provide strategic direction, set Hydrogen Hub priorities and take a leadership role in the development of projects in the Local Hydrogen Hubs. They also make up the members of the National Hydrogen Hub which work with the Government to shape energy and transportation policy in the UK.
- Hydrogen and fuel cell technology is at an exciting stage of development. Having been in the research and development phase for over 20 years, the technology is just reaching the point of commercialisation with products being launched onto the UK market. The growth of this industry is expected to rapidly accelerate over the next decade and British companies are well placed to drive and capitalise on this growth.
- Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies offer the UK a long-term opportunity to cost-effectively deliver secure high-quality energy services whilst significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and local pollution. The value of hydrogen-based energy systems lies in their flexibility. Hydrogen is able to connect and satisfy differing energy domains from electricity generation to building level heat, to transport. In this sense one energy carrier can deliver mutually beneficial efficiencies between previously distinct domains of generation, heating and transport.