The Hydrogen Village is based in Toronto, with a mandate to create early commercial markets for hydrogen and fuel cell applications, as well as educating the public, government and media on the benefits of these technologies. The Village has assisted in the development and execution of a wide range of early deployment projects, creating a sector cluster in Ontario.
The University of Birmingham Fuel Cell Group, in the School of Chemical Engineering, is focused on research around hydrogen as an energy vector and the application of fuel cells. It houses one of only two hydrogen fueling stations in the UK, and has its own fleet of five hydrogen-powered vehicles, which are taking part in a research project to ascertain the feasibility of hydrogen in a transport application.
The team is also involved in research with the Black Country Housing Association’s hydrogen-powered house based in Stourbridge, West Midlands. By remotely monitoring the hydrogen fuel cell system which is powering the house’s electricity, water and central heating, the research team is learning more about hydrogen and fuel cells – their efficiency, performance, operation, and durability – in a domestic context.
‘We are delighted to be collaborating with the Ontario Hydrogen Village, as well as the University of Waterloo, Queen’s University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology,’ says Dr Bruno Pollet at Birmingham, ‘and hope that by pooling our knowledge and sharing information and experience, we will be able to grow our understanding of how hydrogen will play a major part in fueling our future, both in transport and in a domestic setting.’
‘Developing international ties expands networks of innovators, industry and ultimately customers,’ adds Ry Smith, who leads the Hydrogen Village program. ‘This kind of agreement moves us in the right direction.’
The agreement was initiated by The Ontario International Marketing Centre and the University of Birmingham’s Fuel Cell Group. Ontario’s Hydrogen Village will execute the agreement in partnership with Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency.
The Hydrogen Village is based in Toronto, and has a mandate to create and promote early commercial markets for hydrogen and fuel cell applications. The Hydrogen Village Program – administered by the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association – has assisted with the development and execution of a wide range of early deployment projects, creating a sector cluster in Ontario. The Hydrogen Village is jointly funded by industry members, Natural Resources Canada, and the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Research & Innovation.