EcoIsland is an initiative to make the UK’s Isle of Wight a demonstrator of future energy systems and smart grid technology; it is the largest single sustainability project in the UK. To date the project has delivered a £25 million project to install solar PV panels on 3,500 social homes and more than 500 air-source heat pumps, as well as a ‘Greenback’ consumer reward card in collaboration with 65 local companies with good sustainability practices.
The UK’s first public hydrogen filling station has opened in Swindon, UK today September 20th 2011.
The fuel cell station is located at car manufacturer Honda’s South Marston plant and being seen as an important step in a UK-wide scheme to make hydrogen vehicles a viable alternative to petrol-driven cars.
BBC went to Swindon to fill up the Honda FCX Clarity and speak to Professor Kevin Kendall a hydrogen and fuel cell expert from Birmingham University and Ian Piper from Forward Swindon.
Link to BBC Report
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have developed the Outer Hebrides Hydrogen Strategy to encourage the early establishment of a hydrogen economy. Circumstances in the Outer Hebrides (i.e., above average energy costs, the highest density of renewable energy resource in Europe & weak electrical transmission grid constraining the exploitation of the resource using traditional approaches) present a unique opportunity for pre-commercial hydrogen technologies to be demonstrated on a near-commercial basis.A key element of the strategy is the aspiration to create the Hebridean Hydrogen Park. This project aims to Develop a hydrogen skills base within the islands Establish a renewable hydrogen production and supply infrastructure within the Outer Hebrides Demonstrate the opportunities and benefits of hydrogen technologies
Contact InfoLegal Name: Outer Hebrides Address: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES)Sandwick Road/HS1 2BW StornowayIsle of Lewis/Scotland Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1851 703773/+44 (0) 1851 705349 Website: www.cne-siar.gov.uk Contact Person: Ruairi MacIver Position/Department:Project Manager (Renewable Energy)/Technical Services Department Email: ruairi.maciver@cne-siar.gov.uk Tel/Cell:+44 (0) 1851 709 274/+44 (0) 7825 356226
