Housing association pilots 'energy of the future' in hydrogen house » Housing » 24dash.com

A hydrogen fuel cell system which is powering a house in Lye in the West Midlands has been unveiled by Treasury Minister Ian Pearson MP.

Black Country Housing Group (BCHG), in partnership with the University of Birmingham, installed the innovative system which is powering the homes electricity, water and central heating.

The fuel cell unit is housed in a shed in the back garden of one of their newly-built homes in Stocking Street – a quiet residential cul-de-sac. 
 
The £2 million project has been jointly funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

It demonstrates that hydrogen – a component of water and one of the earth’s most abundant resources – is a viable alternative to fossil fuels. 

This installation uses the natural gas infrastructure. The gas is converted into hydrogen by a reformer and the hydrogen is then used in the fuel cell. 

Hydrogen produces no carbon emissions unlike coal or gas and is much more efficient in operation. In the future, a hydrogen infrastructure – hydrogen piped to individual buildings and residences – will make this type of technology ideal for domestic use. 

A fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen through a membrane to produce electricity, heat, and water. The fuel cell will produce electricity as long as fuel (hydrogen) is supplied.

The University of Birmingham is leading the research project to learn more about hydrogen and fuel cells in a domestic context.  By remotely monitoring the equipment at the house, researchers can find out more about the hydrogen fuel cell system, its efficiency, performance, operation, and durability.

A supply chain in the West Midlands is also being established to allow small companies to manufacture components for the growing market in this new technology.

The new fuel cell is a Baxi Innotech unit that generates 1.5kW of electricity and provides 3 kW of heat suitable for domestic heating and hot water that is transferred to a 600-litre water tank heat store next to the fuel cell. 

The heat is circulated through conventional radiators and to the hot water cylinder in the house, while the electricity generated by the fuel cell powers the house.

If the house needs less electricity the extra generated is exported to the National Grid. If the house needs more electricity, the additional amount required is imported from the grid.

Richard Baines, Director of Sustainable Development at BCHG, said: “Hydrogen fuel cells are leading the way when it comes to green energy and it’s our belief in this technology that has driven us to install the fuel cell.

"Minimising impact on the environment is everyone’s responsibility but as a social housing landlord, we are able to make a real difference to the technology used in homes.” 

Professor Kevin Kendall from the University of Birmingham’s School of Chemical Engineering and lead investigator said: “Ultimately all our homes will have these units.  But first, more research and industry development is needed to optimise the technology.”

Dr Waldemar Bujalski from the University of Birmingham’s Fuel Cells Group said: “We are grateful to Advantage West Midlands and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for the money to invest in the equipment and to be able to undertake a research project of this kind.”

Treasury Minister and MP for Dudley South, Ian Pearson, said: “I am acutely aware from my time as Minister for Climate Change and Environment that we all need to be actively seeking newer and smarter ways of heating our homes.

“This partnership between a university and a housing provider is exactly the kind of collaborative approach that brings ideas from the laboratory into the real world, delivering genuine benefits to local people and contributing to our efforts to fight climate change.

“I commend the innovative work being done by BCHG and Birmingham University.”

Mark Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Baxi Group said: “In order for us to meet the government’s targets for carbon emissions reduction, it is necessary for a transformation in the domestic heating market.

"Baxi Group has invested heavily in a combined heat and power (CHP) strategy, developing cutting edge technology that will reduce the use of energy from fossil fuels, reduce home heating costs and reduce our dependence on the central power network.”

Dr Richard Hutchins, Corporate Director of Economic Development at Advantage West Midlands said: “The creation of a low carbon economy is a priority of the regional economic strategy and energy is a key theme for Birmingham Science City. 

“This is an exciting project and an important part of a wider programme of activity that will help to cement the West Midlands’ reputation as the lead centre for hydrogen energy research while also creating high level jobs.  It is an excellent example of how we are working together to produce a cleaner environment while leading the way in an emerging sector.”