Two of the UK’s listed renewable energy specialists are joining forces to work on an energy supply strategy for hydrogen refuelling stations.
ITM Power (LON:ITM) and Good Energy (LON:GOOD) have signed an initial agreement to explore ways to provide zero-carbon electricity to the stations.
This could involve a process known as direct coupling, wherein stations would be linked to a nearby renewable power generator such as solar panels.
Or ITM could do a deal with a supplier such as Good Energy to take power from its generating sites.
The power would either be stored for use by the national power network or used as pollution-free transport fuel.
Good Energy has six solar power farms, two wind farms and an option to take electricity from a tidal power project at Swansea, which is under development.
Graham Cooley, ITM Power’s chief executive, said: "Utilising surplus renewable energy lies at the heart of the proposition for hydrogen as a clean fuel.
Juliet Davenport, Good Energy’s chief executive said: "The opportunities to work with ITM power to see how we can integrate the transport, heat and electricity market are really exciting. We think we are a great fit to supply zero-carbon renewable electricity."
Meanwhile, ITM launched its first public access hydrogen refuelling station in London at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington.
The station is the first of three UK stations to be deployed as part of the pan-European HyFive project, which was funded by the European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU) and the Government.