Glamorgan University and Neath Port Talbot Council are developing the £1.7m Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Centre based at Baglan Energy Park.
The first of its kind in Wales, the centre will explore the potential use of hydrogen as one of the key fuels of the future and investigate how hydrogen can be produced from local renewable sources.
It aims to bring together academic and industrial expertise and research, providing a hub for hydrogen business development throughout Wales. It forms part of a suite of projects supported by the Welsh Energy Research Centre through grant aid from the Welsh European Funding Office.
Located next to the Solar Centre and close to the Technium Sustainable Technologies centre, the building will provide facilities for hydrogen production, conferencing, research, demonstrations and education and will run itself from renewable energy sources.
The project complements the Welsh Assembly's Accelerate Clusters network that is designed to develop the automotive sector in Wales by focusing on emerging technologies and niche market opportunities to meet the sustainable transport agenda.
Prof Dennis Hawkes from Glamorgan University said, ‘Rather than an isolated one-off demonstration, this project is to provide the basis for a range of hydrogen energy and transport activities. Its intention is to put Wales at the forefront of European efforts to develop hydrogen communities.
‘The new centre will bring together technology and expertise and will provide a platform for new business development, growth and employment in the region.’
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