New hydrogen fuelling stations

Britain’s fledgling hydrogen infrastructure has been boosted by the opening of new fuelling stations in Aberdeen and Hendon, north-west London.

First, the UK’s first hydrogen production and bus refuelling station has been opened, as part of a £19mn green transport demonstration project in Aberdeen, home of Europe’s largest hydrogen bus fleet. The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project, which has backing from Europe, the UK and Scottish governments, as well as a range of private sector partners, is designed to create a hydrogen economy in the city.

It will deliver the UK’s first commercial-scale hydrogen production and bus refuelling station, as well as a purpose built hydrogen fuel cell vehicle maintenance facility.

The refuelling station, at Aberdeen City Council’s Kittybrewster depot, is owned and operated by BOC, a Member of the Linde Group. It will fuel ten Van Hool hydrogen fuel cell buses – six of which will be operated by Stagecoach on the X17 Aberdeen city centre to Westhill route, while First will operate four on the X40 Kingswells to Bridge of Don park-and-ride route

Meanwhile, Britain’s first hydrogen station hosted by a supermarket has been opened at Sainsbury’s Hendon store. Owned and operated by Air Products, this latest addition strengthens a network of hydrogen stations operating in London, including a newly upgraded and publicly accessible dispenser at Heathrow.