Hydrogen technologies leader, Logan Energy, is to design and supply one of the largest capacity hydrogen refuelling stations in Europe, facilitating the roll-out of one of the UK’s biggest zero-emission bus orders in Belfast.
Commissioned by Northern Ireland's main public transport provider, Translink, the £1.6 million Belfast refuelling station, set to be installed in Newtownabbey Bus Depot, (subject to planning permission), will supply a fleet of 20 purpose-built Hydrogen Fuel Cell buses.
These buses are being introduced alongside a fleet of new Battery Electric vehicles, which will see Translink operating the 4th largest Zero Emission bus fleet across all UK regions.
Scotland-based Logan Energy has been awarded the contract for its impressive track record and expertise in delivering integrated hydrogen technologies and value-for-money. It will maintain the refuelling station for up to 15 years and support ambitions to increase the number of vehicles using the site by 25 per cent in the coming years.
The refuelling station will have a total capacity to dispense a minimum of 2,500kg of green hydrogen per day which will allow Translink to increase its Fuel Cell bus fleet in the future without the need to modify the refuelling station.
Bill Ireland, CEO of Logan Energy, said: ”We’re very proud to supply what is set to be one of the largest capacity hydrogen refuelling stations in Europe. It’s a significant project in the upscaling of refuelling deployment in general and, specifically, Logan Energy’s unique refuelling system for large volume economic fueling of vehicles. First deployed in Germany last year, our system allows us to provide lower cost refuelling options for large scale hydrogen refuelling stations.
“With the demand to switch to low-carbon transport systems greater than ever, this project will help push the accelerator not only on decarbonising Northern Ireland’s bus services, but also the demonstration of hydrogen as an efficient, economic and global zero-emission solution to the world’s transport challenges.”
The air quality challenge faced by local authorities can be best tackled by delivering a modal shift from single occupancy cars to a mixture of active travel and public transport.
Ian Campbell, Translink Director of Service Operations said: “Translink is leading the transport transformation to net zero emissions, responding to the climate emergency and driving positive change for a healthier and more sustainable transport for future generations. We have ambitious targets to operate a zero-emission public transport fleet across Northern Ireland by 2040.
“The development of this hydrogen infrastructure is a further milestone in this exciting new era for Translink as we work towards the decarbonisation and development of the green economy in Northern Ireland.”
“This refuelling station, supporting our new fleet, is a further important first step in our net zero journey.”
Logan Energy will work with Translink and Northern Ireland bus manufacturer Wrightbus, to ensure compatibility and compliance with equipment and vehicles deployed across the project. The refuelling system will be capable of monitoring both bus storage tank pressure and temperature, using infra-red communication with vehicles to optimise fuel-fill rate.
Logan Energy has recently unveiled plans to create up to 100 skilled new roles in Scotland as part of a strategic partnership with clean fuel specialist Element 2 who plan to deploy over 800 pumps onto the UK network by 2027. The partnership will more than triple Logan Energy’s current headcount by 2025.