Hydrogen Hub welcomes Energy Minister Claire Perry to Swindon
The Hydrogen Hub welcomed Energy Minister Claire Perry to Swindon, at the Executive Committee meeting on 11 May 2018. The meeting, hosted at Johnson Matthey, brought together Executive Members of the Hydrogen Hub to discuss hydrogen and fuel cell projects in Swindon and Wiltshire and explore how the Hydrogen Hub can help the Government achieve its targets outlined in the Clean Growth Strategy.
During the meeting, Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry, made an announcement to deliver a £20 million boost to businesses embracing the potential for a future UK hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies offer the UK an exceptional opportunity to secure cost-effective, clean, secure energy for power, heat, and transportation. The UK is well placed to capitalise on the opportunities presented by hydrogen and develop a world-leading industry.
The minister ended her visit by taking a short tour of a hydrogen refueling station and Johnson Matthey’s manufacturing facility.
Clare Jackson, Hydrogen Hub Manager:
“We were very excited to welcome the Energy Minister Claire Perry and share the successful stories that we have had so far, as well as take the opportunity to showcase upcoming Hydrogen Hub projects that will demonstrate the benefits of the technology and make the case for the ‘Hydrogen Pathway’.
“We hope the meeting with Hydrogen Hub members and key industry stakeholders has strengthened the view that Government should follow through with policy support and increased funding for the development of the technology. We will continue to support both industry and government in the pursuit of a hydrogen future.”
Andy Walker, Technical Marketing Director, Johnson Matthey:
“We were delighted to welcome Minister Claire Perry to Johnson Matthey. Johnson Matthey is a leader in science to make the world cleaner and healthier and is committed to innovation in the UK. We have pioneered developments in fuel cell technology over many years and are at an exciting point where products are now commercially available. As a founder of the Hydrogen Hub we recognise the need to grow the market for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in the UK and look forward to working with the Hub and with the Ministerial team at BEIS to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of this important technology.”
Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry said:
“The Hydrogen Hub is a great example of how our modern Industrial Strategy can work in practice bringing together industry, local authorities and businesses to collaborate in developing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies which aim to meet the energy needs of a local community.
“This technology has the potential to secure clean, reliable and flexible energy for families and local businesses, whilst creating a new innovative sector in the UK, growth, and high-quality jobs.
“As hydrogen and fuel cell technology continues to commercialise, I look forward to seeing how the Hydrogen Hub will continue developing its key role promoting innovation to bring down costs and driving future investment into hydrogen the UK.”
For more information please see www.hydrogenhub.org or contact Clare Jackson at E: clare.jackson@hydrogenhub.org
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Media contact: Laura Blaj +44(0) 121 709 5587
Notes to editor:
Energy and Clean Growth Minister, Claire Perry’s announcement of £20 million boost for business innovators powering the UK’s hydrogen economy https://www.gov.uk/government/news/20-million-boost-for-business-innovators-powering-the-uks-hydrogen-economy
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.