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 ITM Power’s state of the art hydrogen technology, prototype production facility in Sheffield set the scene for the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, to witness cutting edge British innovation in South Yorkshire. The facility is specifically designed to manufacture the core equipment necessary to enable renewable energy to be integrated into the future energy system. ITM is engaged in the design and production of prototype electrolysers which take renewable energy and split water into oxygen and hydrogen: the hydrogen is then stored and can be used as a clean fuel in existing gas appliances.
Driving in ITM’s modified factory standard Ford Focus that runs on the clean green hydrogen fuel from an electrolyser, the Chancellor commented that it was “just like driving a normal car”. ITM estimate that if car manufacturers were to add the extra equipment to vehicles on their existing production lines so as to make them Hydrogen Ready (but without the hydrogen storage tank) so that when refuelling stations become available a tank could be retrofitted, then this would add only £200 - £300 to the cost of the car.
The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, with ITM Power’s Director of Research Dr Donald Highgate. Dr Donald Highgate said “We are particularly pleased to welcome the Chancellor to our facility at this time, as we embark on a program of prototype demonstrations in the coming months to show how our electrolyser technology can be applied to meet the carbon-neutral challenges for society today”.
“ZERO-CARBON” HOME ENERGY PACK
ITM Power has launched its prototype “zero carbon” home energy pack that stores electricity generated from solar panels (whenever the sun shines) and from wind turbines (at whatever time the wind blows) as a clean fuel (Hydrogen). The home produced clean fuel can then be used whenever it is needed; to cook with, for refrigeration, and for hot water and electricity (combined heat and power) to power today’s household appliances with zero carbon emissions. ITM’s system will allow housing developers to prepare for regulatory requirements as outlined in the Government’s July 2007, Building a Greener Future– Policy Statement, announcing that all new homes will be zero carbon from 2016.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND
 Putting the technology to test in a real house is an important next step and ITM will participate in the building of an innovative demonstration housing development in South Shields.
Hydrogen will be used as an energy store, contributing towards both household electricity and heating requirements. Two of the properties will be fitted with hydrogen powered kitchens. The housing development is being built by a partnership between Groundwork South Tyneside & Newcastle with ONE Northeast, Four Housing Group, and South Tyneside Council.
Following upon successful completion of the demonstration, Groundwork envisages rollout of the ITM energy package throughout projects in the North East region. Dr Graham Cooley, ITM's newly appointed CEO, said, "ITM's technology stores the power produced by renewable power sources, such as wind and solar, in the form of hydrogen which can be used to generate electricity when it is needed or used as a clean fuel. The technology is ideally suited to housing schemes and commercial buildings which also have a requirement for hot water." www.itm-power.com
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