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Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Opportunities for Scotland: The Hydrogen Energy Group Report

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APPENDIX 3: Company Profiles

Scottish and Southern Energy plc is involved in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity and in the storage, distribution and supply of gas. It is the third largest supplier of electricity and gas in the UK, providing energy to over 6 million customers and the second largest generator of electricity (the largest from both non-nuclear and renewable sources). It owns/operates almost 10,000MW (megawatts) of electricity generating capacity (including around 4,300MW of
gas-fired, 4,000MW of coal-fired and around 1,400MW of hydro-electric and wind farm capacity). In addition, it has interests/investments in initiatives to generate electricity from biomass, "micro" wind turbines, deep-water offshore wind turbines, tidal power and solar photovoltaics. It has joined with BP, Shell and others to evaluate the world's first full scale hydrogen production - gas-fired generation - carbon sequestration project (at Peterhead in Scotland).

siGEN Ltd. is widely recognised for its expertise in hydrogen and fuel cells across the UK, EC and is well known and recognised as a systems integrator across N America. siGEN has laid down more fuel cell systems across the UK than any other company. It is used to working with partners to deliver best advice and best value to the client. Some examples of successful system delivery. siGEN were also one of the founder members of the SHFCA.

  • First commercial combined heat and power system for domestic property installed and commissioned in Eyemouth in November 2005. siGEN are also approved service contractors for Baxi/European Fuel cells and Ceramic Fuel Cells.
  • Provided all of the hydrogen and fuel cell systems to the Shetland PURE wind-hydrogen project and acted as host to PURE project engineer Ross Gazey for the Knowledge Transfer Programme.
  • Launched the schools "Fuel Cell Challenge" education initiative in October 2005 as part of a public outreach programme to raise awareness of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.
  • Reva electric Hybrid car conversion, supported under the SCEDS programme and supplied to the PURE project.
  • Deployed five of 5kW fuel cell systems at Beacon, Acklam, Aberdeen, PURE, and the London Hydrogen partnership Trafalgar Square Christmas tree lights in 2004.
  • Awarded two SMART awards (although siGEN declined to pursue one of them after award was made) for fuel cell product development.
  • Design of hydrogen and fuel cell systems for three Eco-marathon vehicle teams, 2003-2005. The 2005 event was in conjunction with Mackie Academy, Stonehaven, who were the only school team entry in the fuel cell class in the UK.
  • Tested and characterised two differing fuel cell systems (Relion and Plug Power) under a Dti programme and tested four other fuel cell systems, (Voller, Ballard, P21 and Heliocentris).
  • Delivered first industrial fuel cell UPS system for commercial duty to AMEC. Unit now transferring to the HSE for further evaluation jointly with siGEN and AMEC.
  • Contractor for the first two FC and Hydrogen projects in the Western Isles, begin January 2006.

Fuel Cells (Scotland) Limited is a designer, builder and manufacturer of modular seal-less solid oxide fuel cell stacks. The company has its laboratories at Rosedale House, Rosewell, Midlothian. Its Website is www.fuelcellscotland.com . FCS has been awarded SMART1, SMART2 and SPUR funding for the development of full size prototype stacks following the successful working demonstration of a 10-cell stack with all peripherals in 2004. A total of 4,500 hours of proof of concept operation has reaffirmed our conviction that the Fuel Cells (Scotland) Ltd stack design is ahead of most other solid oxide concepts. When taken to market as "the engine" for a standard Combined Heat & Power ( CHP) device, we look forward to demonstrating the functionality, the efficiency and the cost effectiveness of our technology.

The PURE Project has delivered a zero emissions, off-grid renewable hydrogen hybrid power supply to an industrial estate on Unst, the most northerly island in the UK. The project incorporates high- and low-cost stored energy (hydrogen and thermal) as well as a fuelling for the UK's only road licensed renewable H2 fuel cell car. Building on the success of the project, the PURE Energy Centre is being established on Unst to investigate and commercialise the many R&D opportunities arising out of this unique project. The core products of the PURE Energy Centre are training, consultancy, a "pay-as-you-go R&D facility" and the supply of PURE Energy Systems. Its Website is www.pure.shetland.co.uk

The Hydrogen Office Project is working to develop a zero-carbon emission, self-sufficient office building within Midlothian, Scotland, to prove that innovative renewable and hydrogen energy technologies can safely and reliably meet the needs of a modern office building. The project will support the development of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in Scotland, improve the skills and technology needed to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions within the building sector and facilitate ongoing research and development. Its Website is www.thebep.org.uk/hydrogenoffice/background.asp

The Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association ( SHFCA) was formed in March 2004 by the hydrogen and fuel cell industry and academia in Scotland with the support of Scottish Enterprise through the Scottish Energy Industries Group ( SEIG). SHFCA was the first formally constituted fuel cell and hydrogen industry body in the UK and remains the only UK industry body representing both fuel cells and hydrogen industries. A list of current and prospective members is also attached.

The Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association:

  • Brings together the expertise and experience of Scotland's specialised fuel cell companies, academic, teaching, research and development bodies, methane generation companies, a variety of consultants, Scottish Enterprise and local enterprise companies, and students and individuals with an interest in the subject.
  • Provides a coherent voice to represent, promote and develop Scottish hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
  • Engages with Scottish, UK and EU government bodies to create the right framework for the industry to develop.
  • Is developing relationships with other national and international hydrogen and fuel cell bodies, to work together to evolve a mutually beneficial strategy to create and develop a sustainable hydrogen and fuel cell market.
  • Is a non-profit membership-based organisation. Membership has grown organically and currently stands at 40 organisations and 80 named representatives.
  • Participates in, and represents members' interests in, national and international events, for, conferences and exhibitions.
  • Holds regular open meetings dealing with a wide range of fuel cell and hydrogen topics.

St Andrews Fuel Cells Ltd is a privately owned company, spun out from the University of St Andrews and incorporated in February 2005. The company is based on the SOFCroll, an exciting new geometry for solid oxide fuel cells ( SOFCs). This patent protected design promises a simpler manufacturing process and hence reduced costs, the main problem for the commercialisation of SOFCs at present. The Intellectual Property for the SOFCRoll design is very distinct, unlike the generic planar and tubular designs for which there is very complicated and competing IP

The company has had a careful and disciplined genesis, which was spurred by the patent application. The initial background development was assisted by Scottish Enterprise funding, to produce the working fuel cells, as proof of viability. The financial footings of the company have been enhanced by the award of a Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship to Dr. Alan Feighery to produce a sound business plan for the commercial development of the SOFCRoll. The company has also received a Scottish Enterprise SMART:SCOTLAND award for the production of new and improved versions of the cell design. The company was accepted into the Carbon Trust Incubator Scheme and has recently received Carbon Trust R&D support and has Venture support. The company has a website, www.standrewsfuelcells.com , which contains further information on both the company and the technology.

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Page updated: Friday, September 1, 2006