UPS Systems has installed a fuel cell within the University of Glamorgan’s Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Centre at Baglan Energy Park, South Wales. Hydrogen produced from renewable sources is a potential solution to future energy problems, providing a carbon-free fuel.

The new Centre, scheduled to open in October, was initiated with EU funding, and now has long- term funding guaranteed by the University. The Centre will demonstrate the viability of hydrogen production from a range of indigenous renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and evaluate the benefits of using hydrogen as an energy storage medium for these intermittent renewables.

As well as supplying a fuel cell and inverters for the Centre, UPS Systems is designing a controller unit, with supervisory software, that manages the system. An electrolyser will produce hydrogen using power from different renewable sources. Once compressed and stored, the hydrogen will then supply the 10kW fuel cell which will, in turn, power parts of the Centre and associated facilities.