Hydrogen Future Industries PLC (AQSE:HFI) said it is preparing for a final testing phase of its wind turbine, as well as working on incorporating new technologies to improve efficiency and concept testing a hydrogen electrolyser.
Daniel Maling has taken the role of executive chairman with immediate effect, having previously been a non-executive, taking on primary managerial responsibility for the company.
This is to allow executive director David Ormerod to move to being a non-executive director, “allowing him to focus on other commitments while enabling the company to continue to benefit from his significant energy industry expertise”.
Testing of an upgraded version of the one-metre diameter wind turbine is expected to begin “shortly” to measure the energy output over a period of eight to 12 weeks.
HFI then plans to start work on a larger diameter commercial wind turbine, designed using the data from the tests, with work also currently underway on incorporating patents acquired last October for a variable hydraulic drive and/or electro-magnetic clutch, which are expected to increase efficiency and lower the cost of energy production.
The company said electrolyser testing for the hydrogen production system is taking place in California, USA, with the objective of building an electrolyser with cheaper and more readily available materials that also improves power efficiency and longevity.
This work is being led by Dr Nicholas Blake, a consultant to HFI and brother of Timothy Blake, chief executive of subsidiary HFI Energy Systems.
Dr Blake, a quantum physicist and chemist, currently a chemistry professor at Ventura Community College and former postdoctoral researcher of hydrogen fuel cell technology, has also been appointed to a new advisory board.
Initially the board, which will advise directors and review additional hydrogen-related technology opportunities, will be made up of the two Blake brothers.
“HFI is making excellent development progress, now from facilities in both the USA and UK,” said Maling, adding that the board looks forward to benefitting from Dr Blake’s expertise as the company gears up for subsequent testing phases.
“We believe our system can achieve a breakthrough in green hydrogen production economics and look forward to reporting further updates as the testing programme advances.”