Belfast Metropolitan College has announced the formation of the new 'Hydrogen Triple Alliance' that will help advance clean energy across Europe.
Hydrogen power has gained significant traction in recent years due to improvements in H2 storage and renewable energy technology. Countries across Europe have committed to ambitious carbon-neutral targets, but this can't be acheived simply by switching from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources without tackling problems of power storage and transport.
Northern Ireland generates a lot of energy from wind farms and some from solar power, but these are not always able to run at full capacity and fossil fuels still make up the deficit. Research projects across Europe have been investigating the potential of using excess energy from renewable power to create large hydrogen reserves that can used when wind and solar output are low.
Belfast Met is currently leading the GenComm project to harness hydrogen power, and have now announced that they're collaborating with two other ambitious European projects to form a new 'Hydrogen Triple Alliance' research group. GenComm is joined by Seafuel and HUGE, and will be tackling both technological barriers and the issue of connecting together "stakeholders, end users, policymakers and communities interested in hydrogen technologies."
GenComm Programme Manager, Paul McCormack, commented: "We must deliver hydrogen equity in order that all of Europe can fully realise the benefits of green hydrogen. This Hydrogen Triple Alliance is the start of a European wide H2 highway collaborating and sharing research, results and ensuring all can reap the benefits of a zero carbon energy system."
Source: Written based on press release
