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Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are an energy conversion technology. They produce electricity and heat from an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen which results in water (or steam) as the only emission. They are zero-emissions at the point of use and an enabling technology for the hydrogen economy where the hydrogen would be produced using only renewable or sustainable energy sources.
Government Policy
The Government believes that fuel cells offer considerable opportunities for carbon emissions reductions and increased energy security, with potential applications in stationary power generation/Combined Heat & Power (CHP), portable power and transport.
The Government has encouraged the development of the emergent UK fuel cells sector. This has included support for industrial R&D under the Technology Programme and its predecessors; support for the development of what is now a stand-alone trade association, Fuel Cells UK, the creation of the Low Carbon & Fuell Cell Technology: Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTN) and the establishment of the Low Carbon Vehicles and Fuel Cell Centre of Excellence (Cenex).
Support Programmes
Demonstration
Demonstration of these technologies under realistic operating conditions is an important step on the road to commercialisation. It is needed to develop confidence by end-users that the technology will meet their needs as well as to identify issues requiring further research and development. The Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Carbon Abatement Technologies Demonstration Programme (HFCCAT) is a £50m 4 year programme which aims to demonstrate components or complete systems under realistic operating conditions. Up to £15m has been allocated for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The first call for proposals was announced in October 2006, and following the assessment process offers were made to 5 projects with BERR support of approximately £5m. An announcement will be made in due course regarding a second call. Further details of the HFCCAT Programme may be found on the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Carbon Abatement Technologies Demonstration Programme (HFCCAT) website.
In future BERR support for hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration projects will be under the umbrella of the domestic element of the Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF).
Research and Development
As a result of the machinery of government changes which took place after Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) is now responsible for basic research (supported by the Research Councils) and industrial collaborative R&D supported by the Technology Strategy Board. DIUS also has lead responsibility for the Energy Technologies Institute.