Scotland proceeds with renewable energy/hydrogen facility

GLASGOW, UK, August 15, 2007. A proposal for a hydrogen-powered renewable energy research centre in Scotland has been submitted for planning approval.

The Hydrogen Office project will develop a 1,200 m2 energy-efficient office building to house the Hydrogen Office Demonstration Centre, an incubation centre for small companies and offices. It will be built in Methil and will support regeneration in the area by raising its profile and attracting inward investment.

Scottish Enterprise Fife and a partnership with Alsherra Investments and the Hydrogen Office have submitted the planning application to Fife Council for consideration by its planning committee. If approved, the research centre will be located close to the Hydrogen Office building and will house the plant rooms for the hydrogen office building, as well as the innovative renewable energy system, as part of Scotland’s goal to become a global centre of excellence in the field of renewables.

The building will be powered by wind turbines and heated and cooled by geothermal heat pumps, with hydrogen and fuel cell energy storage that will store surplus power for periods where renewables are unable to meet demand. The Hydrogen Office Demonstration Centre will work to promote the benefits of renewables and hydrogen energy systems, as well as improved energy efficiency as a means to reduce carbon emissions and improve long-term energy security of supply.

“Renewable energy is an area in which Scotland already has a growing reputation for excellence,” says Willie Johnston of Scottish Enterprise Fife. “It is becoming one of the world’s fastest growing sectors in which Scotland has a considerable presence with the potential for momentous development.”

The Energy Centre is one of a number of potential projects earmarked for the emerging energy hub at Methil and, if approved, “will deliver significant economic benefit not only for Fife, but for Scotland as a whole,” he adds. The system will be designed and built to high safety standards, and the amount of hydrogen stored by the project will be small, equivalent to the gasoline carried in three cars.

In the Hydrogen Office, hydrogen will be generated by passing an electric current through water (electrolysis) to break it down into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will then be stored in gas cylinders until it is needed to supplement wind power at times of low wind and high energy demand. http://www.thehydrogenoffice.com

The facility will provide testing facilities for fuel cell technology developers and build confidence in investors and purchasers in the safety and performance of hydrogen and fuel cell systems while proving safety and reliability issues.

Scottish Enterprise is the main economic development agency for Scotland covering 93% of the population from Grampian to the Borders. The Scottish Enterprise Network consists of Scottish Enterprise and 12 Local Enterprise Companies which partner with the private and public sectors to develop skills and knowledge and encourage innovation to make Scotland's businesses internationally competitive.

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