\u00ae<\/sup>-LCS fuel cell, combined with a 13 Kwh power battery.<\/p>\nWe have been able to package the fuel cell system, battery and hydrogen tanks without any impact on the customer features of the van, such as interior space or load height. The resulting vehicles will have over 500km of range capability on Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), versus 115km when compared to the base EV with the same maximum speed. Refuelling time is typically five minutes.<\/p>\n
Our next phase is well underway on our bespoke vehicle definition. This gives us the opportunity to define class-leading vehicle architecture matched to the customer segments that benefit from fuel cell technology, and offer a number of propulsion system and vehicle derivatives. Final dates for commercialisation will be released at a later date.<\/p>\n
What are the key benefits of hydrogen as a potential zero-carbon fuel?<\/h3>\n The attraction of hydrogen propulsion is its ability to offer uncompromised performance in applications where range, payload, towing capacity or high auxiliary offtake are important. It also benefits users who operate multi-shift use patterns where speed of refuelling is important. This gives operational flexibility, which is highly valued by many customer groups.<\/p>\n
In light commercial vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology is very attractive for use by express delivery vans, trade and major construction vehicles, taxis, refrigerated transport, ambulances and camper vans.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You have a growing global team. What are your goals for expansion across international markets?<\/h3>\n Strategically, we decided to grow the initial operational teams in the UK and EU within country teams where we see opportunity, particularly for green hydrogen production.<\/p>\n
We expect Europe to be a leader in both the automotive technology development and adoption. The latest proposed legislation under the EU\u2019s Fit-for-55 scheme will accelerate the move to zero-emissions vehicles in passenger cars and light duty vehicles and heighten the need for zero-carbon fuel. Canada has similar legislation, and the US is showing substantial investment in net zero under the Biden Government, hence why we see North America as a key market also.<\/p>\n
For green hydrogen production, we are in active discussions for sites in the UK, EU, and Canada. Government support is important, as is the ability to access cost-effective renewable electricity in each market.<\/p>\n
For our growing team, we are attracting talent from a diverse set of backgrounds and locations. We are able to do this with the aid of the latest working practices and are already seeing benefits through this expanding network.<\/p>\n
First Hydrogen recently entered into a Research and Collaboration agreement with the University of Cambridge. Can you explain more about how this collaboration will work and what it is hoped it will achieve?<\/h3>\n Cambridge University is perfectly positioned as a partner for First Hydrogen with our mission for zero-emission mobility. The University has \u2018Cambridge Zero\u2019, developing zero-carbon solutions that work for our lives, our society and our economy. It also has \u2018Energy@Cambridge\u2019, an interdisciplinary group working across all aspects of energy. Our partnership is led by Professor Seamus Higson of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, a world-leading institution in energy transition and the department that first developed the hydrogen fuel cell, which was subsequently used in the Apollo moon missions.<\/p>\n
The Research and Collaboration Agreement is set up for an initial five years and we will jointly undertake a number of research projects into hydrogen production and mobility.<\/p>\n
As its centrepiece, the collaboration enables the joint development of hydrogen-related technologies to unlock the hydrogen economy with particular focus on the automotive industry, the hydrogen production, and the fuel distribution industries.<\/p>\n
The first project of the partnership will develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to harvest user and supplier information related to hydrogen usage, to better inform hydrogen business cases and to direct significant investment into hydrogen mobility and related infrastructure. The tool is expected to become an additional revenue-generating service that First Hydrogen offers and will also help the company develop its own zero-carbon fuel technology and infrastructure investments in the hydrogen sector.<\/p>\n
How can the current infrastructure support an increase in commercial hydrogen vehicles? For example, are there enough refuelling stations available to support vehicles travelling long distances?<\/h3>\n The current infrastructure is in the early phase of development, against which we expect to see rapid growth between now and 2030. For example, in Europe there were 227 hydrogen refuelling stations in 2021 and projections show this rising to over 3,700 by 2030. Similarly, in Canada and USA growth from eight and 66 in 2021 to 500 and 2,000 respectively is expected.<\/p>\n
We are also seeing hydrogen hubs emerging or planned where either hydrogen is imported or produced at logistics centres, serving many of the users of hydrogen-powered vehicles.<\/p>\n
As the market grows, First Hydrogen will play a strong role in helping our customers with the direct provision of hydrogen through our hydrogen refuelling stations and Hydrogen-as-a-Service offering.<\/p>\n
What are your key goals for 2022 and beyond?<\/h3>\n 2022 is an exciting year for us. We are set to complete our automotive strategy and bespoke product definition, and we will also complete phase one of the Hydrogen Refuelling Station study and technical definition with FEV Consulting group. We will have green hydrogen production site opportunities evaluated and partnerships underway. Most importantly, our executive management team and key leadership team will be in place.<\/p>\n
Looking beyond 2022, we will continue our growth and implementation, including looking at other technologies such as off-grid power and stationary power generation that can and will benefit from fuel cell and hydrogen technology and can be synergistic to our business.<\/p>\n
Please note, this article will also appear in the tenth edition of our\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>quarterly publication<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The management team of First Hydrogen Corp. spoke to Innovation News Network to discuss how the company\u2019s hydrogen-based and zero-carbon fuel innovations could support the global energy transition. As organisations and governments strive towards the global energy transition to a zero-carbon society by 2050, many are looking to alternative fuel solutions. A popular option being […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":20410,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24204],"tags":[529,3258,582,24134,24413,24652,24357,24347],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Exploring hydrogen\u2019s potential as a zero-carbon fuel<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n