Wind and hydrogen fuel cell to power tech centre

Wind power and fuel cell technology will combine to provide uninterrupted power to a new technology centre in Yorkshire.

The arrangement, whereby surplus energy from the turbine is converted to hydrogen and stored, will create what organisers claim is the largest 'hydrogen mini-grid' in Europe.

Using hydrogen to store surplus energy at the Environmental Energy Technology Centre, will allow for the building to have power even when the wind dies down.

A 225kW wind turbine installed on site will provide all the centre's needs, working through the fuel cell. Stored hydrogen could also be used to refuel hydrogen vehicles.

Up to 200kg of compressed hydrogen will be stored, which can then be passed through a 30kW fuel cell when electricity is needed.

According to Jason Stoyel, manager of consultancy TNEI that is building the EETC for development agency Yorkshire Forward, the building will have its own energy in January.

He told New Energy Focus: "The foundations for the turbine have been laid, so that will be going up in the next few weeks, with the 225kW turbine supplying all the electricity over and above the building's needs. The excess will be turned into hydrogen and stored for use at a later date."