Exolum Advances Green Hydrogen Production with Tees Valley Project, Supported by £7 Million Grant

Exolum, a key player in the green energy sector, is set to make significant strides in sustainable technology with the establishment of a green hydrogen production plant and refueling station in the Tees Valley. The ambitious project, backed by a substantial £7 million grant from the Department for Transport in conjunction with Innovate UK under the Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub Competition, is slated for full operational capability by 2025.

The centerpiece of this initiative is the construction of a water electrolyser and a hydrogen refueling station at Exolum’s Riverside terminal in Stockton-on-Tees, strategically located near the intersection of the A19 and A66 roads. Powered by renewable electricity, the electrolyser will produce green hydrogen, supplying the refueling station with a capacity of 1.5 tonnes per day. Employing a “hub and spoke” delivery model, the surplus hydrogen will cater to additional customers in the region.

Collaborating on the project are UK-based Electra Commercial Vehicles and German manufacturer Quantron AG, partnered with Novuna Vehicle Solutions. The consortium will deploy a fleet of at least 20 fuel cell electric trucks, ranging from 4.2 to 27 tonnes. Securing a total of £5 million from the same funding competition, these vehicles aim to replace existing diesel counterparts, contributing to the reduction of local air pollution and carbon emissions.

Teesside University’s School of Engineering Computing and Digital Technologies, along with the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, renowned for its expertise in hydrogen fuel cells, will oversee data monitoring and performance evaluation of the hydrogen trucks. This comprehensive analysis aims to inform future advancements in the hydrogen transport sector.

The Tees Valley Hydrogen Vehicle Ecosystem is envisioned as a pivotal milestone, laying the foundation for a nationwide network of hydrogen refueling stations. This pioneering initiative is poised to serve as a blueprint for other regions looking to implement similar hydrogen mobility ecosystems. In alignment with the UK’s net-zero ambition, the project is expected to expedite the country’s transition to zero-emission fuel cell vehicles, contributing significantly to reduced carbon emissions.

Andrés Suarez, Clean Energies Lead at Exolum, expressed the company’s commitment to becoming a major player in green hydrogen technology. He highlighted the project’s importance in facilitating the decarbonization of challenging sectors, such as heavy-duty mobility. Suarez emphasized that collaborative efforts with pioneering companies would enable the market adoption of this innovative technology, citing other ongoing and completed projects, including the first hydrogen plant for mobility in Madrid, Spain.