Scotland is set to establish a Hydrogen Innovation Centre at the University of Glasgow to accelerate the development of hydrogen technologies. The centre will provide a platform for academic research groups and commercial enterprises from across Scotland to take hydrogen technologies from experimental proof-of-concept through to small prototype stage.

To support the centre's initiatives, TÜV SÜD will expand its hydrogen technology testing facilities. The expansion will be funded with a £100K grant from ScotGov which TÜV SÜD will match with £100K to build a general hydrogen testing lab at their East Kilbride facility, near Glasgow. A group photo of researchers from the Univesity of Glasgow with research partners at TÜV SÜD

This development will allow the validation of breakthrough technologies developed at the Hydrogen Innovation Centre on a larger scale and in relevant environments. The rigorous testing and analysis will ensure the readiness of these technologies for widespread deployment, maximising the benefits of green hydrogen production.

Martin Hanton, Director of Green Energy and Sustainability at TÜV SÜD commented: “With this award, TÜV SÜD will expand its existing hydrogen testing facilities to a larger scale and much broader capability, allowing both component and product level testing with hydrogen. Having this capability for performance and safety testing with hydrogen in Scotland, will be a key enabler of a local hydrogen supply chain, essential for capturing economic value as Scotland moves towards its 5 GW target.”

In addition to its environmental impact, the project holds promising prospects for Scotland's economy. Mark Symes, Professor of Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Technology at the University of Glasgow, explained: "If Scotland is to maximise its renewable energy resources and reap the most gain from the production of green hydrogen, then the development and nurturing of home-grown hydrogen technologies is essential. This project will provide Scotland with the ability to take experimental technologies from our world-leading universities and innovative start-ups, and scale these up to viable commercial technologies. This will help develop a supply chain and skills pipeline in Scotland, creating jobs across the hydrogen value-chain."

With the Hydrogen Innovation Centre and testing facility, Scotland is poised to leverage its renewable energy resources effectively. The collaboration between academia and industry, combined with rigorous testing and analysis, will accelerate the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies. This project not only paves the way for a greener and more sustainable future but also positions Scotland as a key player in the global energy transition.

First published: 11 May 2023

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