London Stansted set to become first in UK to trial a new hydrogen refuelling system for ground vehicles

London Stansted set to become first in UK to trial a new hydrogen refuelling system for ground vehicles | LOndon Stansted Airport,Stansted,ITM Power

Stansted’s Andy Jefferson (left), and ITM Power’s Graham Cooley (right) are pictured next to a hydrogen-powered vehicle (photo: BAA Stansted)

Mon 10 Jan 2011 – New green fuel technology that could drive down emissions and power airport ground vehicles of the future is to be trialled at London Stansted Airport this spring. Britain’s third busiest airport will be the first UK company to test a new hydrogen refuelling system, called HFuel, and two specially adapted vehicles as part of Sheffield, UK-based ITM Power’s nationwide Hydrogen on Site Trials (HOST) programme. ITM Power says HOST will be the largest multi-sector trial of hydrogen refuelling for transport in the UK and will involve 20 major partner organisations. The programme provides each partner with a one-week free trial of the HFuel system and two Ford Transit vans.

 

 “Environmental management at London Stansted is critical to the sustainability of our business and is an issue that we take extremely seriously, so we’re delighted to be working with ITM Power and launch their
ground-breaking HOST project at the airport,” said Dr Andy Jefferson, Stansted Airport’s Head of Health, Safety and Environment.

“We are extremely proud of the fact that air quality levels at Stansted are lower than the limits set by the EU. It is by continually focusing on our environmental performance that we will be able to maintain and improve
those levels further. The project with ITM is a key part of this strategy and by working in partnership with them, we can evaluate whether hydrogen is a viable alternative fuel for airport vehicles.”

 

The test programme will start on 7 March, with a special launch event taking place the following day at the airport’s Hilton Hotel. The two vehicles will form part of the airport’s fleet and will be assessed by staff under everyday driving conditions.

 

“Airports are perfect locations for trialling return to base hydrogen refuelling and we are delighted that London Stansted Airport will be the location from which we launch the HOST programme,” said ITM Power CEO Dr Graham Cooley.

 

Last October, Stansted added the Carbon Trust Standard to its environmental credentials following the introduction of a range of energy-saving initiatives. It already holds ISO 14001 environmental management certification and OHSAS18001 for health and safety systems, so becoming the first BAA airport to achieve all three.

 

 

Links:

London Stansted Airport – Corporate Responsibility

ITM Power


 

 

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